About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Nairobi Wilson (WIL) to Bole International (ADD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Nairobi to Addis Ababa. While takeoff offers some urban and highland views on the right, the landing approach on the left provides more dramatic and distinctive scenery—the Blue Nile gorge system and Addis Ababa's mountain-basin setting are more visually striking than Nairobi's departure.
What can I see during takeoff from Nairobi Wilson in Nairobi?
During takeoff from Nairobi Wilson (WIL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of Nairobi's urban sprawl and the surrounding highlands as you climb northwestward. The city's grid pattern and the escarpment edge are visible during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Nairobi city center and suburbs, Ngong Hills to the southwest, Kenya highlands plateau, Rift Valley escarpment edge.
What can I see when landing at Bole International in Addis Ababa?
When landing at Bole International (ADD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during descent into Addis Ababa from the south. You'll see the Ethiopian highlands, the Blue Nile gorge system, and the city nestled in its mountain basin as you approach from the south-southeast. Notable sights include: Ethiopian highlands plateau, Blue Nile gorge and tributaries, Addis Ababa city in mountain basin, Entoto Mountains to the north.
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Addis Ababa?
The flight from Nairobi Wilson (WIL) to Bole International (ADD) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Nairobi to Addis Ababa flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Kenya-Ethiopia border near the Rift Valley. Notable midpoint features include the Rift Valley's escarpment walls, Lake Turkana (visible to the east if flight path drifts slightly northeast), the volcanic terrain and lava fields of northern Kenya, and the transition into the Ethiopian highlands plateau. The terrain becomes progressively more mountainous and deeply dissected by gorges as you approach Addis Ababa from the south.