The right side wins overall because the Sydney departure view — Harbour, Opera House, Bondi — is one of the most spectacular urban departures in the world and hard to beat. The Paris landing view from the left is excellent but the right side still gets a partial glimpse of the city. Given the 22-hour flight with most time over ocean and Central Asia, the departure spectacle is the defining moment.
Flown SYD to CDG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Sydney to Paris is 10,529 miles (16,944 km), a flight of about 22 hours 15 minutes.
The route typically tracks northwest from Sydney over the Australian interior (Simpson Desert and red centre visible in daylight), crosses the Indonesian archipelago and Strait of Malacca, transits the Bay of Bengal and Indian subcontinent over India, crosses the Arabian Peninsula or Iran depending on routing, then tracks over Turkey, the Balkans or Central Europe into France. Notable features include the Himalayas visible to the north if routing over India, the Persian Gulf coastline, and the Alps during the European segment if routing via Italy or Switzerland.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
RIGHTSydney Airport's primary departure runway 16R sends aircraft southward before turning northwest, and a right-side seat captures Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the CBD skyline as the aircraft banks. The eastern suburbs and Bondi Beach are also visible to the right during the initial climb.
Landing at CDG
LEFTCDG's primary arrival runways 27L and 27R bring aircraft in from the east on a westward heading, and a left-side seat faces south, giving views over central Paris — the Eiffel Tower, Seine river bends, and the dense Haussmann grid of the city are clearly visible during the approach descent through 5,000-8,000 feet. The right side faces north toward flat agricultural Picardy with little of interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Paris. The right side wins overall because the Sydney departure view — Harbour, Opera House, Bondi — is one of the most spectacular urban departures in the world and hard to beat. The Paris landing view from the left is excellent but the right side still gets a partial glimpse of the city. Given the 22-hour flight with most time over ocean and Central Asia, the departure spectacle is the defining moment.
What can I see during takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?
During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Sydney Airport's primary departure runway 16R sends aircraft southward before turning northwest, and a right-side seat captures Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the CBD skyline as the aircraft banks. The eastern suburbs and Bondi Beach are also visible to the right during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour and Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, CBD skyline, Bondi Beach.
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 primary arrival runways 27L and 27R bring aircraft in from the east on a westward heading, and a left-side seat faces south, giving views over central Paris — the Eiffel Tower, Seine river bends, and the dense Haussmann grid of the city are clearly visible during the approach descent through 5,000-8,000 feet. The right side faces north toward flat agricultural Picardy with little of interest. Notable sights include: Eiffel Tower, Seine river meanders, Paris CBD Haussmann grid, La Défense tower cluster.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Paris?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes about 22 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 10,529 miles (16,944 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Sydney to Paris flight path pass over?
The route typically tracks northwest from Sydney over the Australian interior (Simpson Desert and red centre visible in daylight), crosses the Indonesian archipelago and Strait of Malacca, transits the Bay of Bengal and Indian subcontinent over India, crosses the Arabian Peninsula or Iran depending on routing, then tracks over Turkey, the Balkans or Central Europe into France. Notable features include the Himalayas visible to the north if routing over India, the Persian Gulf coastline, and the Alps during the European segment if routing via Italy or Switzerland.