Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Johannesburg to Amsterdam. The right side delivers the more dramatic takeoff experience with Johannesburg's skyline and the iconic mine dumps, and during cruise the right side tracks westward over the Congo Basin and the Sahara, offering better views of the Saharan erg landscapes and the Atlas Mountains on the Moroccan coast. The Amsterdam arrival on the left is good but relatively brief.

During takeoff from Johannesburg International (JNB), sit on the Right side for the best views. O.R. Tambo's main departure runway 03L/21R means northbound departures climb out heading roughly north, putting the Johannesburg city skyline and the Witwatersrand ridge to the right (east side). The right side also gives views over the East Rand mining belt with its distinctive gold mine headgear and tailings dumps. Notable sights include: Johannesburg CBD skyline, Witwatersrand ridge, East Rand mine tailings dumps, Kempton Park industrial zone.

When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol's primary arrival runway 18R/36L means aircraft typically approach from the south over the Netherlands, putting the Amsterdam canal ring and IJ waterway to the left (east side). The left seat also captures the distinctive patchwork of Dutch polders, the Amstel River, and the city's concentric canal structure during the final approach. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring, IJ waterway and harbour, Dutch polder landscape, Amstel River.

The flight from Johannesburg International (JNB) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route tracks north over Zimbabwe and Zambia, crossing the Congo Basin rainforest (a vast unbroken dark green canopy), then over the Central African Republic and Chad into the Sahara Desert with its sand seas and ergs visible from altitude. The flight crosses the Mediterranean near Tunisia or Libya, then over the Italian or French coast, across the Alps if routing east, or over France toward the English Channel before descending into the Netherlands.