About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to New York. Left side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight — Paris on departure and Manhattan on arrival. Over the mid-Atlantic there is little to see regardless of side, so the departure and arrival phases are what matter most, and left wins both decisively.
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. As the aircraft climbs and turns northwest toward the Atlantic, you get a clear view of the Paris basin, the Seine river snaking through the city, and the Eiffel Tower visible on clear days. Right side faces north toward flat agricultural Picardy with little of interest. Notable sights include: Eiffel Tower and central Paris, Seine river bends through the city, La Défense business district tower cluster, Versailles palace and gardens to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at John F Kennedy International in New York?
When landing at John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK approaches from the east on runway 13L/13R or from the west on 31L/31R depending on winds. The dominant flow is the westerly, meaning aircraft approach from the east over the Atlantic and turn over Long Island. A left-side seat on approach gives you Manhattan's skyline across Jamaica Bay, while the right side faces south toward the open Atlantic and New Jersey flatlands. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline across Jamaica Bay, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Long Island coastline and barrier beaches, Brooklyn waterfront.
How long is the flight from Paris to New York?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes westbound.
What does the Paris to New York flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from Paris, crossing the English Channel near Cherbourg or the Cotentin Peninsula, then over southern Ireland near Cork or Shannon, before heading out over the North Atlantic. The flight follows a great circle arc that passes south of Greenland and Iceland, typically routing through the NATS organized track system. Mid-ocean there is nothing but open North Atlantic water. As the US coast approaches, the aircraft descends over Nova Scotia or New England, with the New England coastline and Long Island Sound visible on the descent into JFK.