Johannesburg to London flight path: JNB to LHR

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Johannesburg to London. The right side accumulates more distinctive landmarks across the whole flight: the volcanic Tibesti Mountains rising from the Sahara, the Mediterranean coastline, a glimpse of the Alps over southern France, and finally Windsor Castle on approach — a stronger cumulative set than the left side's single strong moment over Johannesburg at takeoff.

During takeoff from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), sit on the Left side for the best views. JNB departures normally roll south on runway 21, then bank right to intercept the northbound track toward Europe. That turn swings Johannesburg's skyline and the region's famous gold mine dumps into view on the left side before the city falls away behind. Notable sights include: Sandton's high-rise skyline, the golden mine dumps of the Witwatersrand, the dense grid of Soweto, and the Johannesburg-Ekurhuleni urban sprawl.

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into LHR's westerly runways (27L/27R) cross the Home Counties before turning onto final approach, and the flight path runs just south of Windsor, putting the castle and the Thames squarely on the right side of the cabin in the final minutes before touchdown. Notable sights include: Windsor Castle, the Thames winding through Berkshire, the town of Eton beside the river, and a distant hazy skyline of central London.

The flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Heathrow (LHR) takes about 10 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,639 miles (9,075 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Sand seas and the volcanic Tibesti Mountains of the central Sahara in Chad, followed by the Mediterranean coastline near Libya and Tunisia, then the Alps visible in the distance while crossing southern France.