About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Edinburgh (EDI) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Edinburgh to Paris. While the left side wins at takeoff for Edinburgh's landmarks, the right side delivers the Paris arrival spectacle which is the more dramatic payoff. On a southeast-tracking route the right side also picks up the English Channel crossing and the Normandy/Picardy coastline transition, making it the better seat for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Edinburgh in Edinburgh?
During takeoff from Edinburgh (EDI), sit on the Left side for the best views. Edinburgh's main departure runway 06/24 means eastbound departures swing south over the city. The left side captures Edinburgh Castle on its volcanic rock, the Firth of Forth with its three iconic bridges, and the Arthur's Seat volcanic hill clearly visible below. Right side gets the industrial outskirts and Fife farmland. Notable sights include: Edinburgh Castle and Old Town, Firth of Forth with Forth Rail/Road/Queensferry Crossing bridges, Arthur's Seat volcanic plug, Holyrood Palace.
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 26L/26R or 27L/27R for westerly arrivals, meaning the approach comes from the northeast over the Paris basin. The right side looks south toward central Paris, giving clear views of the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann boulevard grid. Left side faces north toward flat Picardy farmland. Notable sights include: Seine river meanders through central Paris, Eiffel Tower, La Défense business district tower cluster, Sacré-Cœur on Montmartre hill.
How long is the flight from Edinburgh to Paris?
The flight from Edinburgh (EDI) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
What does the Edinburgh to Paris flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, then tracks over the North Sea before making landfall near the Normandy or Picardy coast of northern France. Passengers can see the English Channel crossing — typically 20 to 30 miles wide at this crossing point — with the white chalk cliffs of the French coast visible on descent. The flat agricultural plains of Picardy and the Île-de-France fill the final approach, with the Paris basin becoming visible well before landing.