The right side offers the more varied and recognizable scenery — a fleeting Paris skyline view on departure, distant Alpine foothills visible south of the Bavarian plain during cruise, and a Danube-and-Vienna-Woods approach into VIE. The left side stays mostly over flat, featureless terrain throughout.
Flown CDG to VIE? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Paris to Vienna is 643 miles (1,035 km), a flight of about 1 hour 50 minutes.
The route crosses eastern France and southern Germany near Stuttgart and Munich, with the northern edge of the Alps visible as a distant ridge to the south before descending toward the Danube basin near Vienna.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from CDG
RIGHTCDG typically departs westward before turning south and east toward Austria, and passengers on the right side catch a brief glimpse of the Paris skyline and the Seine valley during the turn. The left side mostly shows flat farmland north of Paris with little to distinguish it.
Landing at VIE
RIGHTOn approach into Vienna, the aircraft often crosses the Vienna Woods and the Danube river before turning onto final for runway 16, giving right-side passengers a clear view of the river bends and the city's skyline near the Danube Tower. The left side mostly faces open Pannonian plain with fewer features.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Schwechat (VIE)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Vienna. The right side offers the more varied and recognizable scenery — a fleeting Paris skyline view on departure, distant Alpine foothills visible south of the Bavarian plain during cruise, and a Danube-and-Vienna-Woods approach into VIE. The left side stays mostly over flat, featureless terrain throughout.
What can I see during takeoff from Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
During takeoff from Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Right side for the best views. CDG typically departs westward before turning south and east toward Austria, and passengers on the right side catch a brief glimpse of the Paris skyline and the Seine valley during the turn. The left side mostly shows flat farmland north of Paris with little to distinguish it. Notable sights include: Seine river bends, Paris outer suburbs, La Défense skyline glimpse, Marne valley farmland.
What can I see when landing at Schwechat in Vienna?
When landing at Schwechat (VIE), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Vienna, the aircraft often crosses the Vienna Woods and the Danube river before turning onto final for runway 16, giving right-side passengers a clear view of the river bends and the city's skyline near the Danube Tower. The left side mostly faces open Pannonian plain with fewer features. Notable sights include: Danube river, Vienna Woods foothills, Donauturm and city skyline, Old Danube oxbow lakes.
How long is the flight from Paris to Vienna?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Schwechat (VIE) takes about 1 hour 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 643 miles (1,035 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Paris to Vienna flight path pass over?
The route crosses eastern France and southern Germany near Stuttgart and Munich, with the northern edge of the Alps visible as a distant ridge to the south before descending toward the Danube basin near Vienna.