About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tokyo International (HND) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Paris. The right side delivers the spectacular Mount Fuji departure view, which is genuinely one of the best single aerial moments on any long-haul route. During the cruise over Siberia and Russia the views are similar on both sides, but the takeoff experience tips the balance decisively to the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Tokyo International in Tokyo?
During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. HND's dominant departure runway is 34R/34L heading roughly northwest, then routing west. The right side gives you Tokyo Bay sweeping south, the dense urban grid of central Tokyo, and then as you climb and bank west, Mount Fuji appears to the southwest — one of the most iconic aerial views in aviation. Left side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, central Tokyo urban grid, Mount Fuji (southwest, ~60 miles), Yokohama port.
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 27L/27R or 26L/26R for westerly approaches, meaning the aircraft arrives from the east. The left side faces south, giving clear views of the Paris basin, the Seine river bending through the city, and on clear days the Eiffel Tower and La Défense skyline visible as you descend through 5,000-8,000 feet before turning onto final. Right side looks north toward flat agricultural Picardy. Notable sights include: Seine river bends, La Défense business district, Paris urban core, Stade de France (Saint-Denis).
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Paris?
The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 12 to 13 hours.
What does the Tokyo to Paris flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from Tokyo across the Sea of Japan, then over the Russian Far East and the vast Siberian taiga — endless boreal forest and frozen river systems including the Ob and Yenisei rivers visible as wide braided channels. The route passes north of Lake Baikal, then crosses the Ural Mountains (a low, broad ridge visible in good conditions), before descending over the North European Plain through Poland and Germany into France. In winter, much of Siberia is snow-covered, making river systems and terrain highly visible.