About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ottawa to Paris. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Ottawa's river valley and Parliament Hill; on landing you get the best angle toward central Paris. Over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the left side also offers slightly better angles over southern Greenland's ice sheet and the Irish coastline during the cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International in Ottawa?
During takeoff from Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ottawa's dominant runway 25 departure heads west before turning northeast, putting the left side over the Ottawa River and downtown Ottawa. You get a clear view of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and the river valley as the aircraft banks northeast toward the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower, Ottawa River and its broad valley, Rideau Canal threading south through the city, Gatineau Hills rising to the north across the river.
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 landing configuration uses runways 27L/27R or 26R, approaching from the east over the Paris basin. A left-side seat on final approach gives you a view south toward central Paris — the Seine, the Eiffel Tower area, and the dense Haussmann grid are visible in the distance to the south-left before touchdown. Notable sights include: Seine River snaking through the Paris basin, the dense urban grid of central Paris visible to the south, Stade de France near Saint-Denis below the approach path, flat agricultural patchwork of the Île-de-France plain on final.
How long is the flight from Ottawa to Paris?
The flight from Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 7 to 7.5 hours.
What does the Ottawa to Paris flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast from Ottawa over the St. Lawrence River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, then crosses Newfoundland's rocky interior before heading out over the North Atlantic. The route passes south of Greenland — the ice cap edge may be visible on clear days — then crosses over Ireland's green patchwork and the Irish Sea before entering UK and northern French airspace. The English Channel crossing is brief, and the flat Seine basin opens up on descent into CDG.