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ORY β HEL
Which side of the plane to sit from Paris-Orly Airport (Paris) to Helsinki Vantaa Airport (Helsinki)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior coastal views of Northern Europe and the spectacular thousands of islands in the Finnish Archipelago during the descent into Helsinki.
Paris Outskirts
Aerial views of the northern Parisian suburbs and the winding Seine River shortly after takeoff from Orly.
Dutch Coastline
Glittering views of the North Sea and the intricate network of dikes and canals along the Netherlands.
Jutland Peninsula
The western coast of Denmark, showing the transition from the North Sea to the Baltic regions.
South Swedish Coast
Views of the Swedish shoreline and the Kattegat sea area as the flight heads northeast.
Finnish Archipelago
A stunning mosaic of thousands of forested islands and rocky islets as you approach Helsinki.
Book a seat in front of the wing for unobstructed views of the Finnish Archipelago. If flying in late spring or summer, the 'White Nights' provide incredible visibility even on late evening flights. Morning flights offer the best lighting for the Dutch and Danish coastlines.
Ardennes Region
Dense green forest cover across Eastern Belgium and the border regions of Germany.
Hamburg & Elbe
One of Europe's largest ports and the winding Elbe River are often visible when crossing Northern Germany.
Central Baltic Sea
Vast blue expanses occasionally dotted with cargo ships and ferries heading toward the Baltics.
Tallinn Skyline
On the final approach descent, the medieval spires of Tallinn, Estonia are often visible across the Gulf of Finland.
Gulf of Finland
Active shipping lanes with high-speed ferries crossing between Helsinki and the southern Baltic ports.
The right side is excellent for city spotting over Northern Germany. During winter months, watch for sea ice patterns forming in the Gulf of Finland as you descend. Afternoon flights can be quite sunny on this side, so bring sunglasses for comfort.
Distance: 1,928 km (1,198 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 34 min
Departure: ORY (48.7233333, 2.3794444)
Arrival: HEL (60.317199707031, 24.963300704956)
Route Type: International
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