About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Washington Dulles International (IAD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Washington. Left side delivers the Paris city panorama on departure and the Potomac-DC approach on arrival. Over the Atlantic the views are symmetric, but the two endpoint payoffs are both on the left, making it the clear choice for the full journey.
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 westbound on runways 26L/26R, meaning a left-side seat faces south toward Paris. You get a clear view of the city center including the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower area, and the dense Haussmann grid of central Paris as you climb out over the Île-de-France. Right side faces north toward flat agricultural Picardy 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 Washington Dulles International in Washington?
When landing at Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dulles typically lands on runways 01L/01R or 19L/19R depending on winds. On the common northbound approach to 01L/01R, a left-side seat faces west toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. On the southbound approach to 19L/19R, left side still captures the Washington DC monuments and the Potomac River as you descend over Virginia. Either way, left side wins. Notable sights include: Potomac River and its broad curve near DC, Washington Monument and National Mall visible on clear days, Blue Ridge Mountains ridge line to the west, Shenandoah Valley farmland patchwork.
How long is the flight from Paris to Washington?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Washington Dulles International (IAD) takes Approximately 8 to 8.5 hours westbound.
What does the Paris to Washington flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest from Paris over the English Channel near Cherbourg, then crosses the southern tip of Ireland near Cork, before heading out over the North Atlantic. The great circle route passes well south of Greenland and Iceland, crossing the Canadian Maritime provinces — Nova Scotia and possibly the Bay of Fundy — before descending over New England and the Mid-Atlantic states toward Virginia. Mid-ocean views are open water only, but the Canadian coastline approach offers rocky forested terrain and coastal inlets on clear days.