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JNB → BFN
Which side of the plane to sit from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) to Bram Fischer International Airport (Bloemfontein)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the Witwatersrand urban sprawl, the iconic Vredefort Dome impact site, and the distinctive mining infrastructure of the Free State goldfields.
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Johannesburg Skyline
Spectacular views of the Sandton and CBD skyscrapers as the plane climbs and turns south from OR Tambo.
Soweto & Orlando Towers
Look for the dense urban layout of Soweto and the colorful decommissioned cooling towers of the Orlando Power Station.
Vredefort Dome
The world's largest verified impact crater; watch for the semi-circular mountainous ridges near the town of Parys and the Vaal River.
Free State Goldfields
As you approach Bloemfontein, identify the distinctive mining headgears and yellow mine dumps around Welkom and Virginia.
The Central Plateau
Characteristic 'koppies' (flat-topped hills) begin to emerge from the landscape, signaling the transition into the semi-arid Karoo fringe.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights as the sun will be behind or above the aircraft, perfectly illuminating the Vredefort Dome. This side provides the best sense of the sheer scale of South Africa's mining heritage and the transition from urban Gauteng to the rural Free State.
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East Rand Mining Belt
Aerial perspective of the historic gold mining tailings and industrial corridors of Germiston and Alberton shortly after takeoff.
Vaal Dam
On a slightly easterly flight path, the vast blue expanse of the Vaal Dam, South Africa's second-largest dam by area, is visible.
Highveld Patchwork
Extensive geometric patterns of maize and sunflower farms that define the agricultural heart of the Free State province.
Maloti Mountain Horizons
On very clear days, the jagged blue silhouettes of the Maloti-Drakensberg range on the Lesotho border appear in the far distance.
Sit on the left for morning flights to enjoy soft lighting over the plains, though you may face direct sun glare. It is the better side for spotting the distant mountain peaks of the eastern escarpment during winter when the air is crisp and clear.
Get eSIMs for South Africa
Get eSIMs for South AfricaDistance: 380 km (236 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 38 min
Departure: JNB (-26.1392, 28.246)
Arrival: BFN (-29.0926990509, 26.302400589)
Route Type: Domestic
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