Durban to Johannesburg flight pathDURJNB

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time1h 05m
Distance297
Heading323° → 324°
Best side
LeftMostly left
★ 3.0 left·★ 2.0 right

While the Durban takeoff briefly favors the right side for coastal views, the left side wins overall because it captures the Drakensberg escarpment foothills during cruise and the more visually engaging Johannesburg mining and urban landscape on approach.

Takeoff · DURRIGHTDurban Harbour, Golden Mile beachfront, the Bluff headland
Landing · JNBLEFTJohannesburg city skyline, Witwatersrand mine dumps, Ekurhuleni industrial belt

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The route crosses the KwaZulu-Natal interior and the southern edge of the Drakensberg foothills before leveling out over the flat Highveld plateau approaching Gauteng.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Durban (right side) — Durban Harbour, Golden Mile beachfront, the Bluff headland, Indian Ocean coastline

Takeoff from DUR

RIGHT

Departing DUR, the aircraft lifts off near the coast and typically banks inland toward the northwest, giving right-side passengers a brief but clear view of Durban's harbor, beachfront high-rises, and the Bluff headland before the plane turns away from the Indian Ocean.

Durban HarbourGolden Mile beachfrontthe Bluff headlandIndian Ocean coastline
Aerial window seat view during landing at Johannesburg (left side) — Johannesburg city skyline, Witwatersrand mine dumps, Ekurhuleni industrial belt, Highveld grassland plains

Landing at JNB

LEFT

On approach into JNB from the southeast, left-side passengers get a good view of Johannesburg's dense urban sprawl, the old mine dumps of the Witwatersrand gold belt, and the Ekurhuleni industrial corridor as the plane descends over the Highveld.

Johannesburg city skylineWitwatersrand mine dumpsEkurhuleni industrial beltHighveld grassland plains

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Durban to Johannesburg. While the Durban takeoff briefly favors the right side for coastal views, the left side wins overall because it captures the Drakensberg escarpment foothills during cruise and the more visually engaging Johannesburg mining and urban landscape on approach.

What can I see during takeoff from King Shaka International Airport in Durban?

During takeoff from King Shaka International Airport (DUR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DUR, the aircraft lifts off near the coast and typically banks inland toward the northwest, giving right-side passengers a brief but clear view of Durban's harbor, beachfront high-rises, and the Bluff headland before the plane turns away from the Indian Ocean. Notable sights include: Durban Harbour, Golden Mile beachfront, the Bluff headland, Indian Ocean coastline.

What can I see when landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg?

When landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into JNB from the southeast, left-side passengers get a good view of Johannesburg's dense urban sprawl, the old mine dumps of the Witwatersrand gold belt, and the Ekurhuleni industrial corridor as the plane descends over the Highveld. Notable sights include: Johannesburg city skyline, Witwatersrand mine dumps, Ekurhuleni industrial belt, Highveld grassland plains.

How long is the flight from Durban to Johannesburg?

The flight from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) takes 1h 05m.

What does the Durban to Johannesburg flight path pass over?

The route crosses the KwaZulu-Natal interior and the southern edge of the Drakensberg foothills before leveling out over the flat Highveld plateau approaching Gauteng.