About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Los Angeles. The left side delivers the Paris departure view which is the most visually dramatic moment of the flight. Over the Atlantic and Canadian Shield the views are similar on both sides. On descent into LAX the right side is better, but the Paris departure on the left is the more memorable and unique experience overall.
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, the Seine river bends, and the Eiffel Tower area as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. Right side faces north toward flat Picardy farmland. Notable sights include: Paris city center and Seine river bends, Eiffel Tower district (visible as a cluster of dense urban fabric with the tower identifiable on clear days), La Défense business district towers, Versailles palace and gardens to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX predominantly lands eastbound on runways 24L/24R or 25L/25R, with aircraft approaching from over the Pacific. Right-side seats face north, giving views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Los Angeles basin, and the Hollywood Hills as you descend over the coast. Left side looks south over the flat South Bay and Long Beach. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu coastline, Los Angeles basin urban grid, Santa Monica Bay and Pacific coastline below the aircraft, Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory area.
How long is the flight from Paris to Los Angeles?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Paris to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over the English Channel and southern England, then across the North Atlantic at high latitude passing near southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjord coastline, then over the Canadian Maritime provinces and Quebec, across the Great Lakes region, over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Utah showing snow-capped peaks and canyon terrain, then descending over the Mojave Desert before reaching the Los Angeles coast