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CDG â TNR
Which side of the plane to sit from Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Paris) to Ivato Airport (Antananarivo)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior vantage point for the Great Rift Valley, potential glimpses of East African peaks, and the most dramatic sunrise views over the Indian Ocean during the final descent.
Alpine Peaks
Depending on the specific air corridor, early flight views of the French or Swiss Alps may be visible to the East.
Eastern Sahara
The golden sands of Libya and Chad offer mesmerizing geometric dune patterns and rocky outcrops.
Rift Valley Lakes
High-altitude views of the massive tectonic lakes, such as Lake Turkana or Lake Victoria, that dot the East African landscape.
Mount Kilimanjaro
On exceptionally clear days with a slightly eastern path, the distant snow-capped dome of Africa's highest peak can be spotted.
Indian Ocean Sunrise
A breathtaking dawn view over the water as the aircraft approaches the northern tip of Madagascar.
Sit on the left for overnight flights arriving in the morning to see the sunrise over the Indian Ocean. In the first 2 hours, look for the Mediterranean coast. During the dry season (May to October), skies are usually clearer for viewing the Rift Valley lakes. Keep your window shade down during the Sahara crossing to avoid intense solar glare.
Mediterranean Coast
Vistas of the Balearic Sea or the Tyrrhenian Sea shortly after departing from the European continent.
Central Sahara
Witness the vast, uninhabited stretches of the TÊnÊrÊ and the dramatic Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad.
Congo Rainforest
A massive sea of unbroken green canopy as the flight passes over the heart of the Congo Basin.
Lake Tanganyika
The western horizon often features the elongated shimmering surface of this massive African Great Lake.
The Red Island
During the descent into TNR, see the unique laterite-rich red soil that defines the geography of the Malagasy Highlands.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to watch the sun set over the African continent. This side offers views of dense Congo Basin cloud formations, which are most dramatic during the wet season (November to April). Look for the distinct red soil and terrace farming of the Madagascar Highlands during the final 30 minutes of the flight.
Distance: 8,748 km (5,436 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 10 hrs 18 min
Departure: CDG (49.012798, 2.55)
Arrival: TNR (-18.7969, 47.478802)
Route Type: International
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