LGWCPT

Which side of the plane from London to Cape Town

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Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Gatwick (LGW) to Cape Town International (CPT)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Cape Town. Right side wins at both ends of the flight. The takeoff offers the South Downs and Surrey Hills, and the landing delivers one of aviation's most celebrated approaches with Table Mountain, Table Bay, and the Cape Peninsula all on the right. Over the long overwater and Saharan sections of the route there is little to differentiate sides, so the endpoint views are the deciding factor.

What can I see during takeoff from Gatwick in London?

During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gatwick's primary departure runway is 26L/08R. Departing westbound on 26L, the aircraft turns south, and the right side gets views over the Surrey Hills and the South Downs as the plane climbs out over Sussex. The left side faces north toward Greater London suburbs with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Surrey Hills AONB, South Downs ridge, Crawley town grid below, Ashdown Forest heathland.

What can I see when landing at Cape Town International in Cape Town?

When landing at Cape Town International (CPT), sit on the Right side for the best views. Cape Town International sits northeast of the city. Aircraft typically land on runway 01/19. On approach from the north on runway 19, the right side faces west toward Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, and Table Bay — one of the most dramatic landing approaches in the world. The left side looks east over the Cape Flats with far less visual drama. Notable sights include: Table Mountain flat-topped massif, Table Bay and Atlantic Ocean, Cape Peninsula ridge extending south, Devil's Peak and Lion's Head flanking the mountain.

How long is the flight from London to Cape Town?

The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Cape Town International (CPT) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

What does the London to Cape Town flight path pass over?

The route tracks south over France and the Iberian Peninsula, then crosses the Strait of Gibraltar and the western Sahara Desert — vast sand seas and ergs of Algeria and Mauritania visible in daylight. The flight then crosses the Gulf of Guinea and the Congo Basin rainforest, followed by the Kalahari and Namibian desert landscapes before descending into the Western Cape.