Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Baltic and southern Scandinavia, the left side also faces south toward the Swedish and Danish coastlines and the Öresund strait, while the right side looks north into open water and forest. Left is the clear choice for the full journey.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Baltic Sea south of Stockholm, then passes over southern Sweden and Denmark including the Öresund strait and the Danish islands. It then crosses the North Sea or northern Germany depending on routing, before entering the flat agricultural plains of Belgium and northern France. No significant mountain ranges are crossed. The coastlines of Denmark and the Öresund bridge area are the most visually distinctive midpoint features on a clear day.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from HEL
LEFTHelsinki Vantaa's primary departure runway 22L sends aircraft southwest, putting the left side facing southeast over the Helsinki metropolitan area and the Gulf of Finland archipelago. You get a clear view of the city center, the harbor islands, and the sprawling Baltic island chains as the aircraft climbs out.
Landing at CDG
LEFTCDG's most common arrival runway 27L or 26R brings aircraft in from the east on a westward heading, placing the left side facing south over the Paris basin. This gives a prolonged view of the Seine river bends, the dense Parisian suburbs, and on clear days the city center layout including the Eiffel Tower and La Défense cluster.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Helsinki to Paris. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Baltic and southern Scandinavia, the left side also faces south toward the Swedish and Danish coastlines and the Öresund strait, while the right side looks north into open water and forest. Left is the clear choice for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?
During takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helsinki Vantaa's primary departure runway 22L sends aircraft southwest, putting the left side facing southeast over the Helsinki metropolitan area and the Gulf of Finland archipelago. You get a clear view of the city center, the harbor islands, and the sprawling Baltic island chains as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Helsinki city center and Senate Square area, Helsinki archipelago and Gulf of Finland island chains, Espoo coastline and Suomenlinna sea fortress island, Lake Vanajavesi to the north.
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's most common arrival runway 27L or 26R brings aircraft in from the east on a westward heading, placing the left side facing south over the Paris basin. This gives a prolonged view of the Seine river bends, the dense Parisian suburbs, and on clear days the city center layout including the Eiffel Tower and La Défense cluster. Notable sights include: Seine river and its distinctive meanders through the Paris basin, La Défense business district high-rise cluster, Marne river valley to the southeast, Roissy and the flat agricultural Île-de-France plateau.
How long is the flight from Helsinki to Paris?
The flight from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 3 hours.
What does the Helsinki to Paris flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Baltic Sea south of Stockholm, then passes over southern Sweden and Denmark including the Öresund strait and the Danish islands. It then crosses the North Sea or northern Germany depending on routing, before entering the flat agricultural plains of Belgium and northern France. No significant mountain ranges are crossed. The coastlines of Denmark and the Öresund bridge area are the most visually distinctive midpoint features on a clear day.