CDG (Paris) window seat guide

At Charles De Gaulle in Paris: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Paris skyline (Eiffel Tower, La Défense towers), Seine river bends, Charles de Gaulle airport's own runway complex receding behind.

When taking off from Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing on runway 27L, the aircraft heads west and typically stays north of central Paris on climb-out. Sitting on the left side gives you a southward view across the city, where you can often spot the Paris skyline including the Eiffel Tower and La Défense skyscrapers in the distance on a clear day. Notable sights include: Paris skyline (Eiffel Tower, La Défense towers), Seine river bends, Charles de Gaulle airport's own runway complex receding behind.

When landing at Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical westbound approach to runway 26L, the aircraft comes in from the east and tracks just north of Paris before turning onto final. Passengers on the left (south-facing) side get a distant but clear view of the Paris skyline — Eiffel Tower, La Défense towers, and Sacré-Cœur — silhouetted against the horizon before the plane lines up with the runway. Notable sights include: Paris skyline (Eiffel Tower, La Défense, Sacré-Cœur), Seine and Marne river bends, Villepinte exhibition center, CDG's own terminal complex as you bank onto final.

The best window seat at Charles De Gaulle (CDG) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Paris (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.