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ADD → LAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) to Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (Luanda)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic Great Rift Valley lakes in Ethiopia and the rugged transitions into the Southern African interior, often avoiding the harsh direct glare of the afternoon sun.
Main Ethiopian Rift
Witness the dramatic geological tear in the earth's crust featuring steep escarpments and volcanic landscapes shortly after takeoff.
Lake Abaya
Spot the distinctive reddish-brown waters of this large Rift Valley lake, caused by high concentrations of suspended sediments.
Omo Valley
Fly over the culturally rich and topographically diverse Omo River region, known for its deep canyons and tribal territories.
Angolan Escarpment
As you begin your descent, observe the sudden transition from the high central plateau down toward the coastal plain.
Sit on the left (port) side for early morning departures to catch the sunrise reflecting off the Rift Valley lakes. This side also provides the best view of the landscape during the standard approach into Luanda, where the plane often turns over the interior plateaus before lining up with the runway.
Addis Ababa Cityscape
Enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling Ethiopian capital and the surrounding Entoto Mountains immediately after departure.
White Nile Basin
Catch glimpses of the vast wetlands and meandering tributaries that feed into the Nile system as you traverse South Sudan.
Congo Rainforest
Look down upon the dense, deep-green canopy of the world's second-largest rainforest, often shrouded in atmospheric mist.
Kwanza River
Identify the winding Kwanza River, Angola's most important waterway, as it snakes toward the Atlantic Ocean near Luanda.
Luanda Bay
Depending on the wind direction and flight path, you may see the Atlantic coastline and the busy harbor of Luanda during final approach.
The right side is excellent for viewing the dense Congo Basin, though cloud cover is frequent in this tropical zone. For afternoon flights, be aware that the sun will be on this side of the aircraft, which can make photography difficult due to glare. Keep a lookout for the massive Kwanza River during the final 20 minutes of the flight.
Distance: 3,457 km (2,148 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 4 min
Departure: ADD (8.97789001465, 38.7993011475)
Arrival: LAD (-8.858369999999999, 13.2312)
Route Type: International
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