The left (south-facing) side wins because it captures Vienna's cityscape and Danube on departure, distant views of the Bavarian Alpine foothills during cruise, and a brief urban glimpse of the Marne valley on arrival, while the right side offers mostly flat, featureless farmland for the entire flight.
Flight Path
Bavarian plain and foothills of the Alps near Salzburg and Munich, the Danube and Isar river valleys, the Rhine valley near Strasbourg, and the low Vosges mountains before descent into the Paris basin
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from VIE
LEFTDeparting VIE on runway 16/34, the initial turn typically swings the aircraft west, giving left-side passengers a view back over the Danube, Vienna's city center, and the wooded ridges of the Wienerwald as the plane climbs. The right side mostly shows flat Marchfeld farmland with little variation.
Landing at CDG
LEFTOn approach to CDG from the east under typical westerly-wind operations, the final turn onto the 27-direction runways briefly exposes the left side to the Marne valley and the eastern Paris suburbs, offering a fleeting glimpse of denser urban texture. The right side during this turn mostly faces open Île-de-France farmland.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schwechat (VIE) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vienna to Paris. The left (south-facing) side wins because it captures Vienna's cityscape and Danube on departure, distant views of the Bavarian Alpine foothills during cruise, and a brief urban glimpse of the Marne valley on arrival, while the right side offers mostly flat, featureless farmland for the entire flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Schwechat in Vienna?
During takeoff from Schwechat (VIE), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing VIE on runway 16/34, the initial turn typically swings the aircraft west, giving left-side passengers a view back over the Danube, Vienna's city center, and the wooded ridges of the Wienerwald as the plane climbs. The right side mostly shows flat Marchfeld farmland with little variation. Notable sights include: Danube River, Vienna city center, Wienerwald hills, Schwechat industrial area.
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. On approach to CDG from the east under typical westerly-wind operations, the final turn onto the 27-direction runways briefly exposes the left side to the Marne valley and the eastern Paris suburbs, offering a fleeting glimpse of denser urban texture. The right side during this turn mostly faces open Île-de-France farmland. Notable sights include: Marne River, eastern Paris suburbs, Charles de Gaulle terminal complex, Seine-et-Marne farmland patchwork.
How long is the flight from Vienna to Paris?
The flight from Schwechat (VIE) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes 2h05m.
What does the Vienna to Paris flight path pass over?
Bavarian plain and foothills of the Alps near Salzburg and Munich, the Danube and Isar river valleys, the Rhine valley near Strasbourg, and the low Vosges mountains before descent into the Paris basin