About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Tokyo. While the left side has a decent Paris departure view, the right side wins overall for the Tokyo Bay arrival sequence, which is one of the more dramatic urban approaches in Asia. The right side also tracks better over Siberian river systems and the Sea of Japan coastline during the cruise portion of the polar-adjacent routing.
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 09L/09R or northeastward on 27R/27L depending on wind. On an eastbound departure toward Japan, the aircraft turns southeast then east, putting Paris city center and the Seine river valley on the left side. You get a clear view of the urban sprawl of Paris and on clear days the Eiffel Tower area is visible to the south-southwest. Notable sights include: Paris city center and Seine river bends, Eiffel Tower district (visible to south on eastbound climb-out), Marne river valley east of Paris, Roissy agricultural plains immediately below.
What can I see when landing at Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. HND (Haneda) sits on reclaimed land on Tokyo Bay's western shore. Flights arriving from Europe typically approach from the northwest or north, with the standard ILS approach to runways 34L/34R or 23 bringing the aircraft over or alongside Tokyo Bay. The right side gives you Tokyo Bay, the Rainbow Bridge, and the dense urban grid of central Tokyo including the waterfront districts of Odaiba and Shinagawa. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay and its reclaimed waterfront, Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba island, Tokyo city grid and Shinagawa district, Mount Fuji visible to the west on clear days during descent.
How long is the flight from Paris to Tokyo?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Paris to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast over Germany and Poland, then across Belarus and Russia, passing over the vast West Siberian Plain and the Ob and Yenisei river systems visible as enormous braided silver ribbons across the taiga. The route then crosses Lake Baikal area, descends over the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan, before entering Japanese airspace over the Sea of Japan coast near Niigata and tracking south toward Tokyo.