Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) serves Johannesburg, South Africa, and sits about 13 miles from the city center. It is one of the highest-elevation major airports in the world, positioned at 5,526 feet above sea level, a factor that affects aircraft performance and can influence takeoff and landing distances compared with airports closer to sea level.

The airport's traffic pattern reflects both domestic connections within South Africa and links to other regions across Africa and beyond, positioning it as a hub for travelers moving between southern Africa and international destinations. Its role as a gateway airport means travelers can expect a mix of shorter regional hops alongside longer intercontinental journeys, giving it a varied traffic profile typical of a major hub serving both domestic point-to-point routes and international connections.

Given its high elevation, travelers should be aware that the thinner air at this altitude can occasionally influence flight conditions during takeoff and climb phases. Those connecting through Johannesburg on longer international itineraries should plan for the airport's function as a significant crossroads for African and global air travel, given its position as one of the continent's key aviation gateways.