CPT to JNB: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Cape Town (CPT) to Johannesburg (JNB) is a 1,272 km (790 mi), roughly 2h eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime CPT to JNB departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Night |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Left | Left |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. Pick the right side for shade, and use the left side for the better sights near takeoff and on descent.
This route is mostly a shade call, not a view call. You get a few strong sights near Cape Town, then the middle leg is quieter. On the way in, the left side has the better look as you descend into Johannesburg.
Takeoff
After departure from CPT, depending on the runway in use, the left side can catch Table Mountain, Robben Island, and Cape Town close in while the right side takes in the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Peninsula. It is a quick climb, so the closer Cape Town sights pass fast.
En route
- 1h 25m inRight →Bloemfontein
About an hour and a half in, Bloemfontein sits off the right side as a city shape in the distance.
- 1h 31m inRight →Maseru
A few minutes later, Maseru stays on the right too. It is another city glimpse rather than a long look.
Landing
On descent into JNB, depending on the runway in use, the left side is the one to choose. Soweto, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the Witwatersrand all sit on that side, and Johannesburg comes very close — nearly under you — about two minutes before landing.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from CPT to JNB?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on CPT to JNB flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from CPT to JNB?
The great-circle distance is 1,272 km (790 mi), which works out to roughly 2h in the air on this eastbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from CPT to JNB?
Choose the right side for shade. Views are mixed overall, but the left side is better for the Cape Town departure and the Johannesburg approach.
What can I see on this flight?
Near CPT you can see Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Cape Peninsula. Midway you get Bloemfontein and Maseru on the right, then Johannesburg-side city views on descent.