Left side wins both takeoff and landing. Over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the left seat delivers the Chesapeake Bay on departure and the Paris cityscape on arrival — the two most visually rewarding moments of the flight.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northeast from BWI, crossing Delaware and southern New Jersey before heading out over the Atlantic near New York. Mid-Atlantic crossing passes south of Newfoundland and over the North Atlantic. Approaching Europe, the route crosses southern Ireland and Cornwall in England before crossing the English Channel into northern France. On clear days, the Irish coastline, the patchwork farmland of southern England, and the Channel are all visible from either side.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BWI
LEFTBWI's primary departure runway 28 sends aircraft northwest over the Chesapeake Bay. Left-side passengers get a clear view back over the bay's broad expanse and the Baltimore Inner Harbor as the aircraft climbs and turns northeast. The Patapsco River mouth and the bay's western shore are distinctly visible.
Landing at CDG
LEFTCDG's most common arrival approach from the west uses runways 27L/27R, meaning aircraft approach from the west-southwest. Left-side passengers get a direct view over central Paris — the Seine, Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann grid — as the aircraft descends through roughly 3,000-6,000 feet on final approach. Right-side passengers face north toward suburban sprawl.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Baltimore to Paris. Left side wins both takeoff and landing. Over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the left seat delivers the Chesapeake Bay on departure and the Paris cityscape on arrival — the two most visually rewarding moments of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Baltimore Washington International in Baltimore?
During takeoff from Baltimore Washington International (BWI), sit on the Left side for the best views. BWI's primary departure runway 28 sends aircraft northwest over the Chesapeake Bay. Left-side passengers get a clear view back over the bay's broad expanse and the Baltimore Inner Harbor as the aircraft climbs and turns northeast. The Patapsco River mouth and the bay's western shore are distinctly visible. Notable sights include: Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore Inner Harbor, Patapsco River mouth, Annapolis peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
When landing at Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. CDG's most common arrival approach from the west uses runways 27L/27R, meaning aircraft approach from the west-southwest. Left-side passengers get a direct view over central Paris — the Seine, Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann grid — as the aircraft descends through roughly 3,000-6,000 feet on final approach. Right-side passengers face north toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Eiffel Tower, Seine River bends through Paris, La Défense business district, Sacré-Cœur on Montmartre.
How long is the flight from Baltimore to Paris?
The flight from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours.
What does the Baltimore to Paris flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast from BWI, crossing Delaware and southern New Jersey before heading out over the Atlantic near New York. Mid-Atlantic crossing passes south of Newfoundland and over the North Atlantic. Approaching Europe, the route crosses southern Ireland and Cornwall in England before crossing the English Channel into northern France. On clear days, the Irish coastline, the patchwork farmland of southern England, and the Channel are all visible from either side.