About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) 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. During the long cruise over Africa the right side also faces east, giving daytime views over the Congo Basin, Zambian plateau, and the Kalahari as the route tracks south-southeast. Neither side has a decisive advantage mid-flight, but the right side delivers the two most dramatic moments: the Thames valley departure and the Table Mountain arrival.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow departures on the eastbound runway 27L/27R head west initially before turning south. A right-side seat gives you views over Windsor Castle, the Thames valley, and the Surrey Hills as the aircraft banks south. Left side faces north toward Slough and the M25 corridor, which is less scenic. Notable sights include: Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, the Thames snaking through the valley, the Surrey Hills escarpment, central London skyline on the horizon to the east.
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 on the Cape Flats east of the city. Aircraft typically approach from the north or northeast on runway 01/19. A right-side seat on approach from the north gives you Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, and the Atlantic coastline of the Cape Peninsula laid out in front of you. Left side looks toward the Hottentots Holland mountains and the flat Cape Flats. Notable sights include: Table Mountain flat-topped massif, Devil's Peak, the Cape Peninsula coastline, False Bay to the southeast.
How long is the flight from London to Cape Town?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) 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, crosses the Strait of Gibraltar, then follows the West African coast before cutting inland over the Congo Basin rainforest. The flight passes over Angola, Zambia or Botswana depending on routing, crosses the Kalahari Desert, and descends over the Western Cape. The Congo Basin appears as an unbroken dark green canopy for several hours. The Sahara is typically overflown at night on this southbound routing.