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JNB → TLV
Which side of the plane to sit from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) to Ben Gurion International Airport (Tel-aviv)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior sequence of landmarks, including the potential for a Mount Kilimanjaro sighting, the stunning Red Sea coastline, and a dramatic approach over the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert.
Mount Kilimanjaro
The iconic snow-capped peak of Africa's highest mountain rising above the Tanzanian clouds.
Great Rift Valley
The visible tectonic scar on the Earth's surface, often marked by a chain of distinct alkaline lakes.
Red Sea Coral Reefs
Crystal clear waters and vibrant coral formations along the coastlines of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Sinai Peninsula
The jagged, majestic peaks of the Sinai desert, including the area around Mount Catherine.
The Dead Sea
The lowest point on Earth, recognizable by its milky-blue water and white salt-encrusted shores.
Jerusalem & Judean Desert
The dramatic transition from desert to the holy city of Jerusalem during the arrival sequence.
Sit on the right for the best morning light on the African peaks. During the descent into TLV, the right side usually faces east/south, providing the best view of the Dead Sea and the Jordan Rift Valley before the plane turns toward the runway.
Johannesburg Skyline
Aerial views of the 'City of Gold' and the Witwatersrand gold mine dumps shortly after departure.
Lake Kariba
The massive expanse of the world's largest man-made reservoir on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border.
Ethiopian Highlands
Rugged, high-altitude terrain featuring deep gorges and the source of the Blue Nile.
Sahara-Arabian Desert
The transition from the lush tropics to the orange sands of the eastern Sahara in Egypt.
Mediterranean Sea
The turquoise waters of the Levantine coast as the aircraft maneuvers for its final descent.
The left side is ideal for late afternoon flights to witness the sunset over the African continent. It provides a better view of the Nile River's fertile strip if the flight path tracks slightly further west over Egypt.
Distance: 6,504 km (4,041 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 7 hrs 39 min
Departure: JNB (-26.1392, 28.246)
Arrival: TLV (32.011398315429695, 34.88669967651367)
Route Type: International
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