While right seats dominate the departure, left seats provide superior views on the longer and more scenic descent into Marrakech, where the Atlas Mountains and approach to the city are the flight's visual highlights. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
Flown LBG to RAK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Paris to Marrakech is 1,317 miles (2,120 km), a flight of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Loire Valley (visible around 45 minutes out), then the Massif Central highlands, before descending toward the Pyrenees-Mediterranean corridor. Over Spain, the flight passes east of Madrid airspace and crosses the Meseta plateau. The Mediterranean coast appears around 2 hours 15 minutes into the flight. The final leg crosses the Strait of Gibraltar (visible from altitude as the narrow water passage between Spain and Morocco) and the Rif Mountains before reaching the Haouz Plain and Marrakech.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LBG
RIGHTLe Bourget typically departs runway 26 (westbound) or 08 (eastbound). Right-side seats on a westbound departure offer views of the Seine valley and the northern Paris suburbs spreading below. Eastbound departures favor left seats, but westbound is more common for southbound traffic to Morocco.
Landing at RAK
LEFTMenara Airport uses runway 09/27. A left-side approach on runway 09 (eastbound) provides excellent views of the Atlas Mountains rising dramatically to the south and the Haouz Plain. Right-side seats on runway 27 (westbound) would face away from the mountains. Runway 09 is the preferred approach direction for this route.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Le Bourget (LBG) to Menara (RAK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Marrakech. While right seats dominate the departure, left seats provide superior views on the longer and more scenic descent into Marrakech, where the Atlas Mountains and approach to the city are the flight's visual highlights. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
What can I see during takeoff from Le Bourget in Paris?
During takeoff from Le Bourget (LBG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Le Bourget typically departs runway 26 (westbound) or 08 (eastbound). Right-side seats on a westbound departure offer views of the Seine valley and the northern Paris suburbs spreading below. Eastbound departures favor left seats, but westbound is more common for southbound traffic to Morocco. Notable sights include: Seine River winding through northern Paris suburbs, Montmartre basilica area (small but identifiable), Île-de-France agricultural plains extending west, Charles de Gaulle Airport complex to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Menara in Marrakech?
When landing at Menara (RAK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Menara Airport uses runway 09/27. A left-side approach on runway 09 (eastbound) provides excellent views of the Atlas Mountains rising dramatically to the south and the Haouz Plain. Right-side seats on runway 27 (westbound) would face away from the mountains. Runway 09 is the preferred approach direction for this route. Notable sights include: High Atlas Mountains (snow-capped peaks visible even in summer from 15,000+ feet), Haouz Plain agricultural fields, Marrakech medina and city center, Menara Gardens with their distinctive rectangular layout.
How long is the flight from Paris to Marrakech?
The flight from Le Bourget (LBG) to Menara (RAK) takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,317 miles (2,120 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Paris to Marrakech flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Loire Valley (visible around 45 minutes out), then the Massif Central highlands, before descending toward the Pyrenees-Mediterranean corridor. Over Spain, the flight passes east of Madrid airspace and crosses the Meseta plateau. The Mediterranean coast appears around 2 hours 15 minutes into the flight. The final leg crosses the Strait of Gibraltar (visible from altitude as the narrow water passage between Spain and Morocco) and the Rif Mountains before reaching the Haouz Plain and Marrakech.