Both sides share the same long Atlantic and North American cruise, but the right side wins on the strength of its SFO approach, where San Francisco Bay, the skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge unfold below—one of the most recognizable urban-coastal views in commercial aviation, outweighing the fleeting Paris glimpse on departure.
Flown CDG to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Paris to San Francisco is 5,569 miles (8,963 km), a flight of about 11 hours 5 minutes.
The route crosses the southern Irish coast near Cork, the open North Atlantic, the icy fjords and ice cap of southern Greenland, the Hudson Bay/Labrador region of Canada, the Canadian prairies, and the Rocky Mountains before crossing Nevada's high desert basins, the Sierra Nevada range, and California's Central Valley.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CDG
LEFTDeparting CDG on the westerly runways, the aircraft banks right onto its transatlantic heading, swinging the left side of the cabin toward central Paris for a brief but recognizable skyline view. The right side only sees flat farmland northeast of the airport.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTOn approach into SFO from the east, the aircraft descends over the East Bay with the right side facing north, delivering sweeping views across San Francisco Bay toward the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge. The left side instead faces the less dramatic South Bay and San Jose suburbs.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to San Francisco. Both sides share the same long Atlantic and North American cruise, but the right side wins on the strength of its SFO approach, where San Francisco Bay, the skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge unfold below—one of the most recognizable urban-coastal views in commercial aviation, outweighing the fleeting Paris glimpse on departure.
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. Departing CDG on the westerly runways, the aircraft banks right onto its transatlantic heading, swinging the left side of the cabin toward central Paris for a brief but recognizable skyline view. The right side only sees flat farmland northeast of the airport. Notable sights include: Paris skyline with the Eiffel Tower and La Défense towers, the Seine river, and the patchwork farmland surrounding CDG.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into SFO from the east, the aircraft descends over the East Bay with the right side facing north, delivering sweeping views across San Francisco Bay toward the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge. The left side instead faces the less dramatic South Bay and San Jose suburbs. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline and Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the Bay Bridge with Oakland's waterfront.
How long is the flight from Paris to San Francisco?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 11 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,569 miles (8,963 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Paris to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route crosses the southern Irish coast near Cork, the open North Atlantic, the icy fjords and ice cap of southern Greenland, the Hudson Bay/Labrador region of Canada, the Canadian prairies, and the Rocky Mountains before crossing Nevada's high desert basins, the Sierra Nevada range, and California's Central Valley.