Left side wins both departure and arrival, and during the cruise over the Baltic Sea and southern Finland, the left side also faces south toward the Swedish and Finnish coastlines and the open Baltic, providing more visual interest than the right side which looks north over open water and boreal interior.
Flown CDG to HEL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Paris to Helsinki is 1,178 miles (1,896 km), a flight of about 2 hours 55 minutes.
The flight crosses northeastern France, then Germany or southern Denmark depending on routing, before crossing the Baltic Sea. Key features include the flat North German Plain, the Danish straits between Jutland and the Swedish coast, the open Baltic Sea, and the heavily forested and lake-dotted landscape of southern Finland as you descend toward Helsinki.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from CDG
LEFTCDG typically departs eastward on runways 26R/27R or 08L/09R. On an eastbound departure toward Helsinki, aircraft often climb out heading northeast, putting Paris city center and the Seine river valley on the left side. The Eiffel Tower and central Paris districts are clearly visible on the left during the initial climb.
Landing at HEL
LEFTHelsinki Vantaa typically lands from the west or southwest on runways 22L/22R or from the east on 04L/04R. Approaching from the southwest over the Baltic, the left side gives views of the Helsinki archipelago, the city peninsula, and the island-studded Gulf of Finland coastline. The Helsinki city center and harbor are distinctly visible on the left during final approach.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Helsinki. Left side wins both departure and arrival, and during the cruise over the Baltic Sea and southern Finland, the left side also faces south toward the Swedish and Finnish coastlines and the open Baltic, providing more visual interest than the right side which looks north over open water and boreal interior.
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 eastward on runways 26R/27R or 08L/09R. On an eastbound departure toward Helsinki, aircraft often climb out heading northeast, putting Paris city center and the Seine river valley on the left side. The Eiffel Tower and central Paris districts are clearly visible on the left during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Paris city center and Seine river bends, Eiffel Tower (on clear days during climb), Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Marne river valley to the southeast.
What can I see when landing at Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?
When landing at Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helsinki Vantaa typically lands from the west or southwest on runways 22L/22R or from the east on 04L/04R. Approaching from the southwest over the Baltic, the left side gives views of the Helsinki archipelago, the city peninsula, and the island-studded Gulf of Finland coastline. The Helsinki city center and harbor are distinctly visible on the left during final approach. Notable sights include: Helsinki city peninsula and South Harbour, Gulf of Finland archipelago islands, Suomenlinna sea fortress island, Espoo coastal suburbs.
How long is the flight from Paris to Helsinki?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) takes about 2 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,178 miles (1,896 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Paris to Helsinki flight path pass over?
The flight crosses northeastern France, then Germany or southern Denmark depending on routing, before crossing the Baltic Sea. Key features include the flat North German Plain, the Danish straits between Jutland and the Swedish coast, the open Baltic Sea, and the heavily forested and lake-dotted landscape of southern Finland as you descend toward Helsinki.