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ELS → CPT
Which side of the plane to sit from Ben Schoeman Airport (East London) to Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, featuring the iconic Garden Route coastline and the true southernmost tip of Africa.
Search flights from ELS to CPT
Sunshine Coast Line
Dramatic views of the rugged coastline stretching from East London towards Port Alfred and Gqeberha.
Algoa Bay
Aerial view of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), its harbor, and the expansive sandy beaches of the bay.
Garden Route Coast
Spectacular views of Plettenberg Bay, the Robberg Peninsula, and the famous Knysna Heads channel.
Cape Agulhas
The geographic southernmost tip of the African continent where the two oceans officially meet.
Walker Bay
Stunning blue waters of Hermanus, famous for land-based whale watching visible from the air during winter months.
Cape Peninsula
On final approach, a sweeping view across False Bay towards the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain.
Sit on the left for the best coastal views. Choose an afternoon flight for the best lighting, as the sun will be behind the plane, illuminating the turquoise water and white surf. Between June and November, look closely at Walker Bay near Hermanus to spot Southern Right Whales breaching.
Get eSIMs for South Africa
Get eSIMs for South Africa
Tsitsikamma Forest
Dense, ancient indigenous forests and deep river gorges cutting through the plateau.
Outeniqua Mountains
A magnificent mountain range running parallel to the coast, often topped with white clouds.
The Overberg
Rolling agricultural hills that turn bright yellow with canola flowers during the spring season.
Stellenbosch Winelands
Lush vineyards and historic estates nestled in the valleys of the Boland mountains during descent.
Hottentots Holland
Jagged, formidable peaks that guard the entrance to the Cape Town basin.
The right side is ideal for mountain lovers. In late winter and early spring (August-September), the Overberg region transforms into a vibrant patchwork of yellow canola fields. Morning flights provide excellent 'golden hour' lighting on the mountain faces of the Boland and Tsitsikamma ranges.
Book Hotels in Cape TownDistance: 861 km (535 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 26 min
Departure: ELS (-33.0355987549, 27.8258991241)
Arrival: CPT (-33.9648017883, 18.6016998291)
Route Type: Domestic
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