The left side wins on every phase: San Francisco's bay and bridges at takeoff, a rare glimpse of Greenland's ice sheet and the Icelandic coast during the polar-route cruise, and the Paris skyline on final approach. The right side is dominated by open ocean and featureless farmland with no comparable landmarks.
Flown SFO to CDG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Paris is 5,569 miles (8,963 km), a flight of about 10 hours 5 minutes.
The great-circle track passes over Alberta's prairies, Hudson Bay, and the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet before crossing the Denmark Strait toward Iceland and the British Isles.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO departures on the eastern runways bank north shortly after liftoff, putting the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, and Marin Headlands on the left side of the aircraft. The right side mainly shows Oakland's flatter East Bay suburbs and industrial waterfront.
Landing at CDG
LEFTWith westerly winds putting CDG landings on the 26/27 runways, arriving aircraft from the Atlantic typically loop north and fly a westbound downwind leg south of the airport, placing the Paris skyline and the Seine valley on the left side before the final turn. The right side over Picardy shows only flat farmland.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Paris. The left side wins on every phase: San Francisco's bay and bridges at takeoff, a rare glimpse of Greenland's ice sheet and the Icelandic coast during the polar-route cruise, and the Paris skyline on final approach. The right side is dominated by open ocean and featureless farmland with no comparable landmarks.
What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?
During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO departures on the eastern runways bank north shortly after liftoff, putting the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, and Marin Headlands on the left side of the aircraft. The right side mainly shows Oakland's flatter East Bay suburbs and industrial waterfront. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Bay.
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. With westerly winds putting CDG landings on the 26/27 runways, arriving aircraft from the Atlantic typically loop north and fly a westbound downwind leg south of the airport, placing the Paris skyline and the Seine valley on the left side before the final turn. The right side over Picardy shows only flat farmland. Notable sights include: Paris skyline (Eiffel Tower, La Défense), Seine River, Île-de-France farmland.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Paris?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes about 10 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,569 miles (8,963 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Paris flight path pass over?
The great-circle track passes over Alberta's prairies, Hudson Bay, and the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet before crossing the Denmark Strait toward Iceland and the British Isles.