Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Johannesburg to East London. While the takeoff offers some interest over Johannesburg, the landing approach on the left provides superior scenic value with dramatic coastal views, the Buffalo River estuary, and the Indian Ocean. The left side captures the most visually distinctive features of the destination.

During takeoff from Grand Central (GCJ), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of Johannesburg's urban sprawl and the surrounding highveld plateau as you climb out. You'll see the city grid and mining dumps that characterize the Witwatersrand region before heading southeast toward the coast. Notable sights include: Johannesburg city center and northern suburbs, Witwatersrand mining ridge (visible as linear features), Magaliesburg Mountains to the northwest (distant), Highveld grassland plateau.

When landing at East London (ELS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views of the Eastern Cape coastline as you descend toward East London. You'll see the Indian Ocean, the Buffalo River estuary, and the coastal cliffs and beaches that define the approach to the airport. Notable sights include: Buffalo River estuary and mouth, East London beachfront and harbor, Indian Ocean coastline, Coastal cliffs and rocky outcrops.

The flight from Grand Central (GCJ) to East London (ELS) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the highveld plateau, passing over the Drakensberg Mountains' eastern foothills (visible to the left/south around midpoint), then descends toward the coastal lowlands. The KwaZulu-Natal interior and Transkei region's rolling terrain appear in the middle section. The transition from inland plateau to coastal lowlands is gradual but noticeable, with vegetation becoming greener as you approach the coast.