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CDG → MSP
Which side of the plane to sit from Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Paris) to Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Airport (Minneapolis)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side typically offers superior lighting for photography on this westbound route and captures more varied coastal geography in both Europe and North America.
Paris Outskirts
Aerial views of the Seine River loops and the northern Parisian suburbs shortly after takeoff.
English Channel
Clear views of the busy shipping lanes and the French coastline near Dieppe or Le Havre.
Greenland Fjords
Stunning vistas of jagged mountains and floating icebergs along the southern tip of Greenland.
Labrador Coastline
The rugged and desolate rocky inlets of the eastern Canadian coast.
Lake Superior
A vast expanse of the largest Great Lake as the flight crosses from Ontario into Minnesota.
Mississippi River
The winding river defining the border between St. Paul and Minneapolis during the final descent.
The left side (A-seats) avoids direct sunlight for most of the westbound journey, making it easier to see Greenland's ice sheets without glare. Look out approximately 4 to 5 hours into the flight for the best glacier views. During winter flights, the southern horizon often glows with a long-lasting sunset.
Southern England
Patchwork fields of the English countryside and the Bristol Channel.
Irish Sea
The transition from the UK to the deep Atlantic over the Irish coast.
Greenland Ice Cap
The immense, flat white expanse of the world's second-largest ice body.
Canadian Boreal Forest
Dense, endless evergreen forests of Northern Ontario dotted with thousands of lakes.
Boundary Waters
The pristine wilderness area and interconnected lakes along the US-Canada border.
The right side is the premier choice for night flights to spot the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) as the path crosses high magnetic latitudes. For daytime flights, expect significant glare from the sun. Keep your window shade down during mid-flight unless spotting specific landmarks to stay cool.
Distance: 6,775 km (4,210 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 7 hrs 58 min
Departure: CDG (49.012798, 2.55)
Arrival: MSP (44.882, -93.221802)
Route Type: International
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