The right side wins overall. The Fort Lauderdale departure gives a spectacular low-altitude view of the beach and port infrastructure that the left side misses entirely. While the left side has the edge on the Paris approach, the takeoff spectacle on the right is more dramatic and the flight crosses the Atlantic at night for most passengers, making the departure view the more memorable moment of the journey.
Flight Path
After departing Florida, the route tracks northeast over the Bahamas archipelago briefly visible at low altitude, then crosses the open North Atlantic. The flight typically passes south of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia at cruise altitude, then crosses the North Atlantic with no significant land features for roughly 5-6 hours. The coast of Ireland or southwestern England becomes visible on descent, followed by the English Channel crossing and the French coast near Normandy before tracking southeast toward Paris.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from FLL
RIGHTFLL typically departs east on runway 10R/10L, then turns northeast over the Atlantic. The right side faces south over Fort Lauderdale's beach strip, Port Everglades, and the Intracoastal Waterway. You get a clear look at the barrier island chain and the cruise ship terminals before heading out over open ocean.
Landing at CDG
LEFTCDG typically lands from the west on runways 26L/26R, meaning the approach tracks eastward over Paris before turning back. On a left seat, you get a clear view of central Paris including the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower area, and the dense Haussmann boulevard grid as you descend through roughly 5,000-8,000 feet on final approach.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Fort Lauderdale to Paris. The right side wins overall. The Fort Lauderdale departure gives a spectacular low-altitude view of the beach and port infrastructure that the left side misses entirely. While the left side has the edge on the Paris approach, the takeoff spectacle on the right is more dramatic and the flight crosses the Atlantic at night for most passengers, making the departure view the more memorable moment of the journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International in Fort Lauderdale?
During takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL), sit on the Right side for the best views. FLL typically departs east on runway 10R/10L, then turns northeast over the Atlantic. The right side faces south over Fort Lauderdale's beach strip, Port Everglades, and the Intracoastal Waterway. You get a clear look at the barrier island chain and the cruise ship terminals before heading out over open ocean. Notable sights include: Port Everglades cruise terminals, Fort Lauderdale Beach barrier island, Intracoastal Waterway, Hollywood Beach to the south.
What can I see when landing at Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
When landing at Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. CDG typically lands from the west on runways 26L/26R, meaning the approach tracks eastward over Paris before turning back. On a left seat, you get a clear view of central Paris including the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower area, and the dense Haussmann boulevard grid as you descend through roughly 5,000-8,000 feet on final approach. Notable sights include: Seine River bends through central Paris, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, La Défense business district towers, Bois de Boulogne.
How long is the flight from Fort Lauderdale to Paris?
The flight from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 9 hours 30 minutes to 10 hours.
What does the Fort Lauderdale to Paris flight path pass over?
After departing Florida, the route tracks northeast over the Bahamas archipelago briefly visible at low altitude, then crosses the open North Atlantic. The flight typically passes south of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia at cruise altitude, then crosses the North Atlantic with no significant land features for roughly 5-6 hours. The coast of Ireland or southwestern England becomes visible on descent, followed by the English Channel crossing and the French coast near Normandy before tracking southeast toward Paris.