About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Gatwick (LGW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to London. Left side wins both ends of this short flight. On departure you face Paris and its landmarks, and on arrival you face the South Downs and the Channel coast. The right side offers views of flat Picardy farmland on departure and suburban north Surrey on landing — considerably less interesting.
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 westward on runways 26L/26R, meaning a left-side seat faces south toward Paris. You get a clear view over the northern suburbs and can pick out the Seine river bends and the Eiffel Tower area as you climb out and bank northwest toward England. Notable sights include: Paris city center and Seine river bends, Eiffel Tower (visible as a thin spire from altitude), Bois de Boulogne (large forested patch west of the city), La Défense business district (cluster of towers just west of Paris).
What can I see when landing at Gatwick in London?
When landing at Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Gatwick predominantly lands on runway 26L heading westward, so the approach comes from the east over the Surrey and Sussex countryside. A left-side seat faces south, giving views over the South Downs and the English Channel coast near Brighton as you descend, while the right side looks north over suburban Surrey. Notable sights include: South Downs ridge (visible as a long low chalk escarpment), Brighton and the English Channel coastline (on clear days, 20-25 miles south), Crawley town grid directly below on final approach, M23 motorway (a clear straight road corridor leading to the airport).
How long is the flight from Paris to London?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Gatwick (LGW) takes Approximately 55 to 70 minutes.
What does the Paris to London flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Somme river valley and the flat chalk plains of Picardy, then the English Channel (La Manche) — typically 20-25 miles wide on this routing near Boulogne-sur-Mer and Folkestone. On the English side it crosses the North Downs of Kent before tracking west over the Surrey Hills toward Gatwick.