The landing approach into Rio on the right side is one of the most dramatic in the world — Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf, and the Serra do Mar all at once. The Paris departure on the left is excellent but the Rio arrival edges it out for sheer visual impact.
Flight Path
The route tracks southwest from Paris across the Iberian Peninsula (Pyrenees visible briefly), then over the Canary Islands area, crosses the Atlantic at its narrowest point near the Cape Verde Islands, passes over the mouth of the Amazon River and the vast flat green expanse of the Brazilian cerrado and coastal lowlands before descending into Rio. The mid-Atlantic crossing is featureless ocean for roughly 5 to 6 hours.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CDG
LEFTCDG typically departs westward on runways 08L/08R or southward on 26L/26R. On a westward departure heading toward the Atlantic, the left side faces south toward Paris city center. You get a clear view of the Seine river snaking through the city, the Eiffel Tower district, and the dense urban fabric of central Paris before the aircraft banks right toward the southwest.
Landing at GIG
RIGHTGIG typically lands on runways 10/28 or 15/33. On approach from the north over the Atlantic, the right side faces west toward Guanabara Bay, the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Rio cityscape backed by the Serra do Mar mountains. The left side faces mostly open ocean.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Rio De Janeiro. The landing approach into Rio on the right side is one of the most dramatic in the world — Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf, and the Serra do Mar all at once. The Paris departure on the left is excellent but the Rio arrival edges it out for sheer visual impact.
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 southward on 26L/26R. On a westward departure heading toward the Atlantic, the left side faces south toward Paris city center. You get a clear view of the Seine river snaking through the city, the Eiffel Tower district, and the dense urban fabric of central Paris before the aircraft banks right toward the southwest. Notable sights include: Seine river bends through central Paris, La Défense business district towers to the west, Bois de Boulogne forest patch, Versailles palace grounds and formal gardens to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim in Rio De Janeiro?
When landing at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG), sit on the Right side for the best views. GIG typically lands on runways 10/28 or 15/33. On approach from the north over the Atlantic, the right side faces west toward Guanabara Bay, the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Rio cityscape backed by the Serra do Mar mountains. The left side faces mostly open ocean. Notable sights include: Guanabara Bay and its islands, Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) at the bay entrance, Serra do Mar coastal mountain range behind the city, Niterói city across the bay.
How long is the flight from Paris to Rio De Janeiro?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Paris to Rio De Janeiro flight path pass over?
The route tracks southwest from Paris across the Iberian Peninsula (Pyrenees visible briefly), then over the Canary Islands area, crosses the Atlantic at its narrowest point near the Cape Verde Islands, passes over the mouth of the Amazon River and the vast flat green expanse of the Brazilian cerrado and coastal lowlands before descending into Rio. The mid-Atlantic crossing is featureless ocean for roughly 5 to 6 hours.