Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Johannesburg to Dubai. The left side wins overall. While the right side has the better Johannesburg departure view, the left side delivers the dramatic Dubai coastal arrival — Creek, Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Khalifa skyline — which is the more memorable visual payoff. For the long overwater and desert cruise, neither side has a decisive advantage, but the left side also picks up the East African coastline and the Horn of Africa during the northbound transit.

During takeoff from Johannesburg International (JNB), sit on the Right side for the best views. O.R. Tambo's primary departure runway 03L/21R sends northbound flights climbing over the eastern Johannesburg suburbs. From the right side you get a clear view back over the Witwatersrand ridge and the sprawling gold mine tailings dumps that ring the southern city — those flat-topped pale yellow spoil heaps are unmistakable from the air. The Soweto township grid and its two cooling towers are also visible to the southwest. Notable sights include: Witwatersrand ridge, gold mine tailings dumps south of Johannesburg, Soweto township layout, East Rand industrial corridor.

When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dubai International's primary arrival runway 12L brings aircraft in from the northwest over the desert, turning to land heading southeast. The left side gives you the Dubai Creek, Deira district, and the older city grid as you descend, with the Palm Jumeirah and the Downtown Dubai skyline including the Burj Khalifa visible further south along the coast. The right side faces inland desert with little of interest. Notable sights include: Dubai Creek and Deira district, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai skyline, Dubai Marina towers.

The flight from Johannesburg International (JNB) to Dubai International (DXB) takes Approximately 8 to 8.5 hours.

The route tracks northeast over Zimbabwe and Mozambique, crossing the East African coast near Tanzania or Kenya depending on routing. Over the Indian Ocean the Somali coastline and Horn of Africa are visible on the left side during the northern leg. The flight then crosses the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Peninsula's southern desert fringe before descending over the UAE. The Rub al Khali empty quarter desert is visible below during the final hour, a vast featureless sand sea.