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JNB → MQP
Which side of the plane to sit from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Mpumalanga)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most consistent views of the Drakensberg Escarpment and avoids the harsh afternoon sun glare when flying east from Johannesburg.
Search flights from JNB to MQP
East Rand Industrial Belt
Bird's eye view of the massive logistics and mining hubs surrounding Johannesburg.
Highveld Farmlands
Geometric patterns of maize and sunflower fields across the Mpumalanga plateau.
Steenkampsberg Mountains
The highest point of the Highveld with rolling hills and deep valleys.
Lowveld Panorama
Dramatic transition as the plane descends over the edge of the escarpment into the bushveld.
Book a window seat on the left (typically 'A') for afternoon flights to avoid the sun and see the northern reaches of the Drakensberg range. In winter, look for the clear separation between the brown Highveld grass and the greener Lowveld vegetation.
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Emalahleni Mines
Deep scars of open-cast coal mines showing the scale of South Africa's energy industry.
Kwena Dam
A shimmering reservoir nestled in the Crocodile River valley visible during the descent.
Mbombela Stadium
The iconic 'Giraffe Stadium' with its unique supports is often visible on the final approach.
Southern Kruger Edge
Distant glimpses of the wild savanna stretching toward the Mozambican border.
The right side is ideal for morning flights as the sun will be on the opposite side. It provides the best view of Mbombela's urban landscape and the distinctive stadium architecture during the final banking maneuvers into MQP.
Book Hotels in MpumalangaDistance: 298 km (185 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 30 min
Departure: JNB (-26.1392, 28.246)
Arrival: MQP (-25.3831996918, 31.1056003571)
Route Type: Domestic
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