The landing approach into Bogotá on the right side delivers one of the more dramatic urban-mountain panoramas in South American aviation — the Andes wall rising directly behind a major city is genuinely spectacular. The Paris departure view on the left is excellent but the Bogotá arrival edges it out. Switching to right for landing is the priority; if you must pick one side for the whole flight, right gives you the better payoff at the destination.
Flown CDG to BOG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Paris to Bogota is 5,372 miles (8,645 km), a flight of about 10 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks southwest from Paris across the Bay of Biscay, then over the Atlantic Ocean for the majority of the flight. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria) may be visible to the left in the early Atlantic portion. The flight crosses the equator over open ocean west of the African coast. As the aircraft approaches South America it crosses the Venezuelan or Colombian Caribbean coast, where the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta — a massive isolated coastal massif reaching 18,700 ft — may be visible to the right before descending toward Bogotá. The final descent crosses the Magdalena River valley and the Western Cordillera before reaching the Bogotá savanna.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CDG
LEFTCDG typically departs westward on runways 08L/08R or southwestward on 26L/26R. A left-side seat during a westward departure gives you a clear view south over Paris — the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense urban grid of central Paris are all visible before the aircraft turns southwest toward the Atlantic. Right side faces north toward flat agricultural Île-de-France with little of interest.
Landing at BOG
RIGHTEl Dorado airport in Bogotá sits on the Bogotá savanna at 8,360 ft elevation, with the city to the east and the Andes rising sharply behind it. Landings typically approach from the west on runway 13L/13R heading southeast. A right-side seat on approach gives you the view east toward the city of Bogotá spread across the savanna, with the dramatic wall of the Eastern Cordillera — Cerro Guadalupe and Cerro Monserrate — rising directly above the city skyline. Left side faces west over flat lowland plains with little visual interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Eldorado International (BOG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Bogota. The landing approach into Bogotá on the right side delivers one of the more dramatic urban-mountain panoramas in South American aviation — the Andes wall rising directly behind a major city is genuinely spectacular. The Paris departure view on the left is excellent but the Bogotá arrival edges it out. Switching to right for landing is the priority; if you must pick one side for the whole flight, right gives you the better payoff at the destination.
What can I see during takeoff from Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
During takeoff from Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. CDG typically departs westward on runways 08L/08R or southwestward on 26L/26R. A left-side seat during a westward departure gives you a clear view south over Paris — the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense urban grid of central Paris are all visible before the aircraft turns southwest toward the Atlantic. Right side faces north toward flat agricultural Île-de-France with little of interest. Notable sights include: Seine river bends through central Paris, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, La Défense business district towers, Bois de Boulogne forest patch.
What can I see when landing at Eldorado International in Bogota?
When landing at Eldorado International (BOG), sit on the Right side for the best views. El Dorado airport in Bogotá sits on the Bogotá savanna at 8,360 ft elevation, with the city to the east and the Andes rising sharply behind it. Landings typically approach from the west on runway 13L/13R heading southeast. A right-side seat on approach gives you the view east toward the city of Bogotá spread across the savanna, with the dramatic wall of the Eastern Cordillera — Cerro Guadalupe and Cerro Monserrate — rising directly above the city skyline. Left side faces west over flat lowland plains with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Bogotá urban grid across the savanna, Cerro Monserrate and Cerro Guadalupe peaks above the city, Eastern Cordillera ridge line, Bogotá River wetlands on the savanna floor.
How long is the flight from Paris to Bogota?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Eldorado International (BOG) takes about 10 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,372 miles (8,645 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Paris to Bogota flight path pass over?
The route tracks southwest from Paris across the Bay of Biscay, then over the Atlantic Ocean for the majority of the flight. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria) may be visible to the left in the early Atlantic portion. The flight crosses the equator over open ocean west of the African coast. As the aircraft approaches South America it crosses the Venezuelan or Colombian Caribbean coast, where the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta — a massive isolated coastal massif reaching 18,700 ft — may be visible to the right before descending toward Bogotá. The final descent crosses the Magdalena River valley and the Western Cordillera before reaching the Bogotá savanna.