Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Hong Kong it captures the harbour and city skyline on departure, and over Paris it faces south toward the city center on arrival. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either endpoint.
Flown HKG to CDG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Hong Kong to Paris is 5,959 miles (9,590 km), a flight of about 12 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks northwest over southern China and into Central Asia, crossing the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas visible as a vast high-altitude snowfield, then over Kazakhstan's flat steppe, the Caspian Sea, southern Russia, Ukraine or Poland depending on routing, and into Central Europe. The Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau are the most dramatic midpoint feature, typically visible from both sides at cruising altitude as an enormous corrugated white and brown massif.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from HKG
LEFTHKG typically departs westward over the Pearl River Delta on runway 07L/07R or eastward on 25L/25R. For westbound departures toward Europe, aircraft often climb out heading northwest, putting Lantau Island, the dense urban core of Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour on the left side. Left seats get the dramatic view back over Hong Kong Island's skyline and the harbour as the aircraft banks north.
Landing at CDG
LEFTCDG typically uses runways oriented roughly east-west (08/26 family). Arriving from the east, aircraft descend over the Île-de-France region. Left seats face south, giving a clear view of central Paris — the Seine's distinctive bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann boulevard grid are all south of the standard approach path.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hong Kong to Paris. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Hong Kong it captures the harbour and city skyline on departure, and over Paris it faces south toward the city center on arrival. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either endpoint.
What can I see during takeoff from Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
During takeoff from Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. HKG typically departs westward over the Pearl River Delta on runway 07L/07R or eastward on 25L/25R. For westbound departures toward Europe, aircraft often climb out heading northwest, putting Lantau Island, the dense urban core of Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour on the left side. Left seats get the dramatic view back over Hong Kong Island's skyline and the harbour as the aircraft banks north. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island skyline, Kowloon Peninsula grid, Lantau Island and its mountainous spine, Pearl River Delta waterways spreading northwest.
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 uses runways oriented roughly east-west (08/26 family). Arriving from the east, aircraft descend over the Île-de-France region. Left seats face south, giving a clear view of central Paris — the Seine's distinctive bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann boulevard grid are all south of the standard approach path. Notable sights include: Seine River bends through central Paris, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, La Défense tower cluster to the west, Bois de Boulogne forest patch.
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to Paris?
The flight from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes about 12 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,959 miles (9,590 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Hong Kong to Paris flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over southern China and into Central Asia, crossing the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas visible as a vast high-altitude snowfield, then over Kazakhstan's flat steppe, the Caspian Sea, southern Russia, Ukraine or Poland depending on routing, and into Central Europe. The Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau are the most dramatic midpoint feature, typically visible from both sides at cruising altitude as an enormous corrugated white and brown massif.