Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Singapore to Johannesburg. The right side wins at takeoff for Singapore's iconic skyline, but the left side delivers the more sustained and dramatic views: the Indian Ocean crossing offers open water on both sides, but the left side picks up the East African coastline, and the Johannesburg approach on the left gives the best urban panorama of the entire flight. On balance, left is the better all-flight seat.

During takeoff from Singapore Changi (SIN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Changi typically departs westward on runway 02L/20R or 02C/20C. A westbound departure on runway 20 heads southwest, putting the right side facing the Singapore city skyline, Marina Bay, and the southern islands. The CBD towers and Marina Bay Sands are clearly visible from the right as the aircraft banks south. Notable sights include: Marina Bay Sands and CBD skyline, Sentosa Island and the southern anchorage, Johor Strait and southern Malaysia coastline, Batam Island (Indonesia) to the south.

When landing at Johannesburg International (JNB), sit on the Left side for the best views. OR Tambo International typically lands on runway 03L/21R or 03R/21L. Arrivals from the north on runway 21 approach from the northeast, and the left side faces northwest toward the Johannesburg CBD, Sandton, and the Magaliesberg range on the distant horizon. The dense urban grid of Joburg's northern suburbs is clearly laid out below on the left. Notable sights include: Johannesburg CBD skyline and Hillbrow tower, Sandton business district, Soweto township to the southwest, Magaliesberg range on the distant northern horizon.

The flight from Singapore Changi (SIN) to Johannesburg International (JNB) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

The route tracks southwest across the eastern Indian Ocean, passing well south of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The flight crosses the central Indian Ocean — largely featureless open water for several hours — before reaching the East African coast near Tanzania or Mozambique. The Mozambique Channel is crossed, and the aircraft then tracks inland over Zimbabwe and the Limpopo region before descending into the South African highveld. The Drakensberg escarpment may be visible in the far distance on the right side during the final descent.