The left side tracks the mountainous spine of the route—Tibetan Plateau foothills, Tian Shan, and the southern Ural Mountains—giving continuous terrain drama across the cruise phase, then bookends with a scenic Guangzhou departure and a Paris city-center arrival. The right side stays over flat Central Asian steppe and Eastern European plains for most of the flight.
Flown CAN to CDG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Guangzhou to Paris is 5,876 miles (9,456 km), a flight of about 12 hours 45 minutes.
Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges over western China and Kazakhstan, the Kazakh steppe, and the southern Ural Mountains before the route crosses into Eastern Europe
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CAN
LEFTDeparting CAN and turning northwest onto the transcontinental routing, the left side offers a good look back at the Pearl River Delta, Baiyun Mountain, and the sprawl of Guangzhou before the aircraft climbs away from the coast. The right side mostly shows featureless inland Guangdong terrain.
Landing at CDG
LEFTOn the westerly approach into CDG, the aircraft typically curves south of the city before lining up on the 26/27 runways, putting central Paris on the left side. Passengers get a sweeping view of the Seine's bends, the Eiffel Tower, and La Défense's towers in the final minutes of descent.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Guangzhou to Paris. The left side tracks the mountainous spine of the route—Tibetan Plateau foothills, Tian Shan, and the southern Ural Mountains—giving continuous terrain drama across the cruise phase, then bookends with a scenic Guangzhou departure and a Paris city-center arrival. The right side stays over flat Central Asian steppe and Eastern European plains for most of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou?
During takeoff from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing CAN and turning northwest onto the transcontinental routing, the left side offers a good look back at the Pearl River Delta, Baiyun Mountain, and the sprawl of Guangzhou before the aircraft climbs away from the coast. The right side mostly shows featureless inland Guangdong terrain. Notable sights include: Pearl River Delta, Baiyun Mountain, Guangzhou skyline, Zhujiang estuary.
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. On the westerly approach into CDG, the aircraft typically curves south of the city before lining up on the 26/27 runways, putting central Paris on the left side. Passengers get a sweeping view of the Seine's bends, the Eiffel Tower, and La Défense's towers in the final minutes of descent. Notable sights include: Eiffel Tower, Seine River bends, La Défense skyline, Bois de Boulogne.
How long is the flight from Guangzhou to Paris?
The flight from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes about 12 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,876 miles (9,456 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Guangzhou to Paris flight path pass over?
Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges over western China and Kazakhstan, the Kazakh steppe, and the southern Ural Mountains before the route crosses into Eastern Europe