While takeoff favors the right for Laurentian Mountain views, the landing approach on the left provides superior scenery of the Seine River, Île-de-France plains, and Paris itself. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
Flown YMX to CDG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Montreal to Paris is 3,437 miles (5,531 km), a flight of about 7 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Atlantic Ocean for roughly 5 hours. Notable features include: the St. Lawrence River estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (visible during initial climb), the Atlantic coastline of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia (if visible during early departure), the open Atlantic (featureless but dramatic), the Irish coastline and Celtic Sea (approaching Europe after 5+ hours), the British Isles (sometimes visible depending on routing), and the English Channel before reaching French airspace. Most of the transatlantic portion offers only open ocean, cloud formations, and occasional ship traffic visible at altitude.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from YMX
RIGHTRight side offers views of the Ottawa River valley and the Laurentian Mountains as the aircraft climbs northeastward out of Mirabel. The left side faces inland toward less distinctive terrain.
Landing at CDG
LEFTLeft side provides views of the Seine River, the Île-de-France agricultural plains, and the approach into Paris from the northwest. The right side faces toward less visually distinctive terrain during descent into CDG.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Montreal International Mirabel (YMX) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montreal to Paris. While takeoff favors the right for Laurentian Mountain views, the landing approach on the left provides superior scenery of the Seine River, Île-de-France plains, and Paris itself. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
What can I see during takeoff from Montreal International Mirabel in Montreal?
During takeoff from Montreal International Mirabel (YMX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side offers views of the Ottawa River valley and the Laurentian Mountains as the aircraft climbs northeastward out of Mirabel. The left side faces inland toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Ottawa River (visible as a silvery ribbon running southeast), Laurentian Mountains (rolling forested ridges to the north), Lake of Two Mountains (western expansion of the St. Lawrence system), Mirabel Airport complex itself receding 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. Left side provides views of the Seine River, the Île-de-France agricultural plains, and the approach into Paris from the northwest. The right side faces toward less visually distinctive terrain during descent into CDG. Notable sights include: Seine River (meandering through the Île-de-France region), Île-de-France agricultural plains (patchwork of fields and small towns), Paris city sprawl (visible as a dense urban mass on the horizon), Charles de Gaulle Airport runways and taxiways.
How long is the flight from Montreal to Paris?
The flight from Montreal International Mirabel (YMX) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes about 7 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,437 miles (5,531 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Montreal to Paris flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Atlantic Ocean for roughly 5 hours. Notable features include: the St. Lawrence River estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (visible during initial climb), the Atlantic coastline of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia (if visible during early departure), the open Atlantic (featureless but dramatic), the Irish coastline and Celtic Sea (approaching Europe after 5+ hours), the British Isles (sometimes visible depending on routing), and the English Channel before reaching French airspace. Most of the transatlantic portion offers only open ocean, cloud formations, and occasional ship traffic visible at altitude.