About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Paris. While the right side wins at takeoff, the left side delivers the superior Paris arrival view with the Seine, Eiffel Tower, and La Défense all visible on approach. Over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but left also picks up better views of Greenland's ice sheet and the Irish coastline during the transatlantic crossing.
What can I see during takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Phoenix?
During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX primarily departs east on runway 26R/26L then turns northeast, so the right side faces south toward South Mountain Park and the Estrella Mountains. You also get a clear look back over downtown Phoenix and the Salt River valley as the aircraft banks north. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park (largest municipal park in the US, clearly visible as a dark ridgeline), Estrella Mountains to the southwest, downtown Phoenix skyline, Camelback Mountain to the northeast.
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 lands on westerly headings (runway 27L/27R or 26L/26R), meaning the left side faces south toward Paris. On approach from the northeast, the left window gives you the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann urban grid of central Paris laid out clearly below. Notable sights include: Seine River bends through central Paris, Eiffel Tower (visible as a thin spire), La Défense business district towers to the west, Bois de Boulogne forest.
How long is the flight from Phoenix to Paris?
The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the Phoenix to Paris flight path pass over?
After crossing the Rockies and Great Plains, the route tracks northeast over Newfoundland and the Labrador coast. The transatlantic crossing passes south of Greenland where the ice sheet edge may be visible on clear days. The route then crosses Ireland's green patchwork landscape and the Irish Sea before entering French airspace over Normandy, where the bocage hedgerow countryside and Seine estuary are visible on descent.