About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Paris. The Paris approach on the right side is the stronger payoff — central Paris from 3,500 feet on a clear day is one of the best urban aerial views in the world. The Chicago departure on the left is excellent but briefer. If you can only pick one side for the whole flight, right gives you the better landing experience, and during cruise over the North Atlantic and UK there is little to distinguish sides anyway.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD departures heading east or northeast (common for transatlantic routing) put the left side facing south toward downtown Chicago. You get a clear view of the Loop skyline, Lake Michigan's shoreline, and the lakefront parks. Right side faces northwest toward suburban sprawl with nothing distinctive. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline with Willis Tower, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Chicago River bends through downtown.
What can I see when landing at Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
When landing at Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Right side for the best views. CDG's most common landing approaches are from the west on runways 27L/27R, meaning the aircraft tracks eastward over the Île-de-France. The right side faces south, giving views of central Paris including the Seine bends, Eiffel Tower area, and the dense Haussmann street grid. Left side faces north toward flat agricultural plains. Notable sights include: Seine River bends through central Paris, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, La Défense business district tower cluster, Bois de Boulogne.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Paris?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 8 to 9 hours.
What does the Chicago to Paris flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northeast from Chicago over Lake Michigan, then across southern Ontario and Quebec, out over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Newfoundland, across the North Atlantic at high latitudes (roughly 55-58°N), crossing Ireland and southern England, then descending across the English Channel and northern France toward CDG. Notable features include the St. Lawrence River valley, Newfoundland coastline, and the Irish and English coastlines during descent.