Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Zanzibar you get the reef waters and Stone Town, and over Paris on approach you get the Seine and central Paris landmarks. The right side offers open Indian Ocean at departure and northern Paris suburbs on arrival — significantly less interesting.
Flown ZNZ to CDG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Zanzibar to Paris is 4,409 miles (7,096 km), a flight of about 9 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks north-northwest over Kenya and Ethiopia, crossing the Ethiopian Highlands visible as a broad elevated plateau, then over Sudan and the Sahara Desert with the Nile Valley occasionally visible as a thin green ribbon through the sand. Over Egypt the Nile Delta's green fan shape is distinctive before crossing the Mediterranean. Southern Europe brings the Alps into view, with the Mont Blanc massif visible on clear days before descending into France.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ZNZ
LEFTZanzibar Airport's main runway (18/36) typically sees northbound departures heading toward Europe, meaning a left-side seat faces west over the Zanzibar Channel toward the Tanzanian mainland. You get a clear view of the turquoise shallow reef waters surrounding the island and the Stone Town waterfront as the aircraft banks north.
Landing at CDG
LEFTCDG's most common landing approach on runways 26L/26R brings aircraft in from the east, meaning a left-side seat faces south over central Paris. You get a clear view of the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann grid of Paris as you descend through 5,000-8,000 feet on final approach.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zanzibar to Paris. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Zanzibar you get the reef waters and Stone Town, and over Paris on approach you get the Seine and central Paris landmarks. The right side offers open Indian Ocean at departure and northern Paris suburbs on arrival — significantly less interesting.
What can I see during takeoff from Zanzibar in Zanzibar?
During takeoff from Zanzibar (ZNZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zanzibar Airport's main runway (18/36) typically sees northbound departures heading toward Europe, meaning a left-side seat faces west over the Zanzibar Channel toward the Tanzanian mainland. You get a clear view of the turquoise shallow reef waters surrounding the island and the Stone Town waterfront as the aircraft banks north. Notable sights include: Stone Town waterfront and harbor, Zanzibar Channel shallow reef waters, Tanzanian mainland coastline near Dar es Salaam, coral reef patterns in the Indian Ocean.
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 approach on runways 26L/26R brings aircraft in from the east, meaning a left-side seat faces south over central Paris. You get a clear view of the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann grid of Paris as you descend through 5,000-8,000 feet on final approach. Notable sights include: Seine River bends through central Paris, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, La Défense business district towers to the west, Bois de Boulogne.
How long is the flight from Zanzibar to Paris?
The flight from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes about 9 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,409 miles (7,096 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Zanzibar to Paris flight path pass over?
The route tracks north-northwest over Kenya and Ethiopia, crossing the Ethiopian Highlands visible as a broad elevated plateau, then over Sudan and the Sahara Desert with the Nile Valley occasionally visible as a thin green ribbon through the sand. Over Egypt the Nile Delta's green fan shape is distinctive before crossing the Mediterranean. Southern Europe brings the Alps into view, with the Mont Blanc massif visible on clear days before descending into France.