The left side wins overall because the Dakar departure view — Île de Gorée, the Cap-Vert Peninsula, and the Atlantic coastline — is genuinely spectacular and unique. The Paris landing view on the right is excellent but the left side at CDG still sees the Seine and city edges. The Dakar departure is the highlight of this route and it belongs to the left seat.
Flown DSS to CDG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Dakar to Paris is 2,620 miles (4,217 km), a flight of about 5 hours 45 minutes.
After departing Senegal, the route tracks north-northeast over Mauritania's Atlantic coast, then across the Western Sahara and Morocco. The Atlas Mountains (High Atlas range) may be visible in the distance to the right depending on exact routing. Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, the Rock of Gibraltar and the Spanish coastline appear. The flight then crosses southern Spain (Andalusia), the Meseta Central plateau, the Pyrenees mountain range marking the France-Spain border — a clear snowy ridge visible from both sides — then descends over the Garonne basin and flat Aquitaine farmland before entering the Paris basin.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DSS
LEFTDSS runways are oriented roughly 18/36 (north-south). Departing northbound toward Europe, the left (west) side gives you views over the Cap-Vert Peninsula, Dakar city, and the Atlantic coastline. The right side faces inland toward flat, featureless Sahel scrubland.
Landing at CDG
RIGHTCDG typically uses runways 27L/27R or 09L/09R depending on wind. On westerly approaches (runway 27), aircraft track from the east over the Paris basin. The right (north) side gives a clear view of central Paris including the Seine river bends, Eiffel Tower, and the city grid, while the left side faces toward flat agricultural Île-de-France with fewer landmarks.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Blaise Diagne International (DSS) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dakar to Paris. The left side wins overall because the Dakar departure view — Île de Gorée, the Cap-Vert Peninsula, and the Atlantic coastline — is genuinely spectacular and unique. The Paris landing view on the right is excellent but the left side at CDG still sees the Seine and city edges. The Dakar departure is the highlight of this route and it belongs to the left seat.
What can I see during takeoff from Blaise Diagne International in Dakar?
During takeoff from Blaise Diagne International (DSS), sit on the Left side for the best views. DSS runways are oriented roughly 18/36 (north-south). Departing northbound toward Europe, the left (west) side gives you views over the Cap-Vert Peninsula, Dakar city, and the Atlantic coastline. The right side faces inland toward flat, featureless Sahel scrubland. Notable sights include: Dakar city center and port, Cap-Vert Peninsula coastline, Île de Gorée (small island just south of the peninsula), Atlantic Ocean stretching west.
What can I see when landing at Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
When landing at Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Right side for the best views. CDG typically uses runways 27L/27R or 09L/09R depending on wind. On westerly approaches (runway 27), aircraft track from the east over the Paris basin. The right (north) side gives a clear view of central Paris including the Seine river bends, Eiffel Tower, and the city grid, while the left side faces toward flat agricultural Île-de-France with fewer landmarks. Notable sights include: Seine River bends through Paris, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, La Défense business district towers, Stade de France (Saint-Denis).
How long is the flight from Dakar to Paris?
The flight from Blaise Diagne International (DSS) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes about 5 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,620 miles (4,217 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Dakar to Paris flight path pass over?
After departing Senegal, the route tracks north-northeast over Mauritania's Atlantic coast, then across the Western Sahara and Morocco. The Atlas Mountains (High Atlas range) may be visible in the distance to the right depending on exact routing. Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, the Rock of Gibraltar and the Spanish coastline appear. The flight then crosses southern Spain (Andalusia), the Meseta Central plateau, the Pyrenees mountain range marking the France-Spain border — a clear snowy ridge visible from both sides — then descends over the Garonne basin and flat Aquitaine farmland before entering the Paris basin.