About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Shanghai. Left wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Central Asia the left side also faces slightly more southward, offering views of the Tian Shan range and Mongolian plateau terrain, though at 35,000 feet both sides see similar featureless steppe for much of the route.
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 eastbound on runways 09L/09R or 08L/08R, meaning the left (north) side gives you a clear view back over Paris as you climb out. You'll see the Seine snaking through the city and the Eiffel Tower visible to the southwest before the aircraft turns east. Notable sights include: Paris city center and Seine river bends, Eiffel Tower to the southwest, Stade de France in Saint-Denis directly below, Marne river valley to the east.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG typically lands on runways approaching from the east or northeast, meaning the left (south) side faces Shanghai proper and the Huangpu River. You get a direct view of Pudong's skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower as you descend over the Yangtze estuary. Notable sights include: Pudong skyline with Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River and its S-curve through the city, Yangtze River estuary mudflats to the north, Chongming Island.
How long is the flight from Paris to Shanghai?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Paris to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The route tracks east-northeast over Germany and Poland, then across Ukraine and southern Russia, over Kazakhstan's flat steppe, the Tian Shan mountain range visible to the south near Almaty, across the Gobi Desert and Inner Mongolia, then descends over the North China Plain toward the Yangtze delta. The Tian Shan peaks above 7,000 meters appear as a distant white wall on the southern horizon from cruising altitude near the Kazakhstan-China border.