Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from East London to Johannesburg. While takeoff favors the right for coastal escarpment views, the landing approach on left-side seats provides superior views of Johannesburg's geography—the Witwatersrand ridge, city sprawl, and the Highveld plateau—which are more visually distinctive than the departure scenery.

During takeoff from East London (ELS), sit on the Right side for the best views. East London airport typically departs to the northeast or north. Right-side seats capture the Umtamvuna River valley and the coastal escarpment as you climb away from the coast, with views inland toward the Eastern Cape interior. Notable sights include: Umtamvuna River gorge, Indian Ocean coastline to the south, Eastern Cape coastal escarpment, inland grasslands stretching north.

When landing at Grand Central (GCJ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Johannesburg's main runways (09L/27R and 09R/27L) typically use easterly approaches. Left-side seats on descent show the Witwatersrand ridge, Johannesburg's northern suburbs, and the approach path over the Highveld plateau with good perspective on the city's geography. Notable sights include: Witwatersrand ridge (gold mining region), Johannesburg northern suburbs sprawl, Highveld plateau grassland, Johannesburg CBD skyline.

The flight from East London (ELS) to Grand Central (GCJ) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses inland from the Eastern Cape coast over rolling grassland and scattered settlements of the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces. The Drakensberg Mountains remain far to the west (not visible). The landscape transitions from coastal escarpment terrain to the flatter Highveld plateau as you approach Johannesburg. No major water bodies are crossed on this direct inland route.