Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Birmingham. The left side wins overall because the Paris departure view is one of the most iconic urban aerial views in the world, and over the Atlantic and southeastern US the scenery is broadly similar on both sides. The Appalachian approach view on the right at landing is excellent but shorter in duration. Left side also captures the southern coast of Ireland and Cornwall on the transatlantic crossing.

During takeoff from Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. CDG typically departs westward on runways 26L/26R or eastward on 08L/08R. On a westbound departure toward the Atlantic, a left-side seat gives you a view south over Paris — you can clearly see the Seine river snaking through the city, the Eiffel Tower area, and the dense urban grid of central Paris before the aircraft turns northwest. On an eastbound departure, left side still captures the Marne valley and Champagne plains. Notable sights include: Seine river and Paris urban grid, Eiffel Tower district (visible as a recognizable tower on clear days), Marne river valley to the east, Champagne agricultural plains.

When landing at Birmingham International (BHM), sit on the Right side for the best views. BHM's primary runway is 06/24. On a typical approach from the northeast on runway 24, the aircraft tracks southwest over the Appalachian ridges. A right-side seat faces northwest and captures the parallel ridges of the Appalachian Valley and Ridge province — Red Mountain and the Jones Valley where Birmingham sits are clearly visible, along with the distinctive linear forested ridgelines descending toward the city. Notable sights include: Appalachian Valley and Ridge parallel ridgelines, Red Mountain (the ridge immediately south of downtown Birmingham), Jones Valley urban corridor, Cahaba River valley.

The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Birmingham International (BHM) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

The flight tracks northwest from Paris over the English Channel, crossing southern England near London, then out over the North Atlantic. The route passes south of Greenland and over eastern Canada — Nova Scotia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence may be visible in clear conditions. Descending into the US, the flight crosses the Appalachian Mountains through Virginia and the Carolinas before reaching Alabama. The Atlantic crossing itself offers occasional iceberg fields near Newfoundland in winter and spring, and the Gulf Stream is sometimes visible as a color change in the ocean surface.