About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Paris. The right side wins overall because the Shanghai departure view is genuinely spectacular — the Huangpu River bends and the city grid are among the most dramatic urban departures in Asia. The right side also captures the Yellow Sea coastline during initial climb-out as the aircraft turns northwest. At CDG the left side is better for landing, but the departure view from the right is the highlight of the journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Hongqiao's primary departure runway 18R/36L means northbound departures climb out heading roughly north, putting the dense urban core of central Shanghai and the Huangpu River bends on the right (east) side. You get a clear view of the elevated highway network, Suzhou Creek, and the sprawling city grid before the aircraft turns northwest. Notable sights include: Huangpu River S-bends, Suzhou Creek confluence, central Shanghai urban grid, Hongqiao rail hub complex below.
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's most common arrival approach from the east uses runways 27L/27R, meaning aircraft approach heading roughly westward. The left (south) side gives you a view over central Paris — the Seine, the Eiffel Tower district, and the dense Haussmann boulevard grid are clearly visible on the left as you descend through 5,000–8,000 feet before turning onto final. Notable sights include: Seine River loops through central Paris, Eiffel Tower (visible as a thin spire), La Défense tower cluster to the west, Bois de Boulogne forest patch.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Paris?
The flight from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 11–12 hours.
What does the Shanghai to Paris flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from Shanghai over eastern China, crossing the Gobi Desert and Mongolia's steppe, then over Siberia's taiga and Lake Baikal region (visible as a long thin blue sliver in clear conditions), continuing over the Ural Mountains (low, broad ridgeline), then across the North European Plain over Russia, Belarus, Poland, and Germany before descending into France. The Urals and Lake Baikal are the most visually distinctive midpoint features in daylight.