Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Montreal. The left side wins overall. The Paris departure view is the highlight of the flight — a rare clear overhead look at one of the world's most recognizable city layouts. During the transatlantic cruise at 35,000 feet both sides see open ocean, but on descent the right side edges ahead slightly for Montreal. Given the Paris departure is the more spectacular and memorable moment, left side takes the overall recommendation.

During takeoff from Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. CDG typically departs westbound on runways 26L/26R or northwestbound on 09/27 configuration. A left-side seat during westbound departure gives you a clear view south over Paris — the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense urban grid of central Paris are all visible before the aircraft turns northwest toward the Atlantic. Right side faces north toward flat agricultural Île-de-France with little of interest. Notable sights include: Seine river loops through central Paris, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, La Défense business district tower cluster, Bois de Boulogne forest patch west of the city.

When landing at Montreal International Mirabel (YMX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Mirabel airport (YMX) is north of Montreal and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 24 heading southwest. A right-side seat on approach gives views south toward the St. Lawrence River, the Montreal island, and the Laurentian lowlands. Left side faces north into the flat boreal farmland of the Laurentians with little visual interest. Notable sights include: St. Lawrence River broad silver band south of Montreal, Montreal island urban grid, Rivière des Mille Îles separating Laval from the north shore, flat agricultural patchwork of the Laurentian lowlands.

The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Montreal International Mirabel (YMX) takes Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours westbound.

After departing Paris the route tracks northwest over Normandy and the English Channel coast near Cherbourg, then crosses the southern tip of Ireland near Cork or Shannon. The transatlantic crossing passes south of Greenland and Iceland — occasionally the southern Greenland ice sheet edge is visible as a white mass on the northern horizon at cruise altitude. The route then crosses Newfoundland, where the rocky boreal coastline and interior lakes of the island are visible, before tracking southwest over Quebec's boreal forest and the St. Lawrence lowlands toward Mirabel.