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PVG → CDG
Which side of the plane to sit from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai) to Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Paris)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a front-row seat to the most dramatic mountain ranges on the Eurasian continent, including the Tian Shan and the Caucasus, while benefiting from favorable southern lighting that accentuates topographical textures.
Yangtze River Delta
Aerial perspectives of Shanghai's urban sprawl and the massive cargo ships navigating the Yangtze estuary.
Tian Shan Mountains
Spectacular views of high-altitude glacial peaks and deep valleys in western China and Kyrgyzstan.
Baku and the Caspian
The shoreline of Azerbaijan and the deep blue waters of the world's largest inland sea.
Greater Caucasus Range
Jagged, snow-covered summits forming the natural border between Asia and Europe.
Central European Cities
A patchwork of historic European landscapes and cities like Bucharest or Budapest depending on the corridor.
Book an 'A' window seat for the most consistent views. As the flight travels west, the sun remains to your south, providing excellent side-lighting for the mountain ranges. On clear winter days, the snow-covered peaks of the Caucasus are visible for nearly an hour. During the final approach to CDG, the left side often catches glimpses of the outer Paris suburbs.
Gobi Desert
Vast, desolate expanses of sand and gravel plains stretching across the northern horizon.
The Aral Sea
The remains of the North Aral Sea and the stark, white salt flats of the former seabed.
Altai Mountains
The rugged, remote peaks where China, Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan converge.
Carpathian Mountains
The forested curves of the Carpathian range as the flight enters Eastern Europe.
German Black Forest
Densely wooded hills and structured agricultural land as you cross into Western Europe.
The right side (Seat K or L) is perfect for travelers who want to avoid direct sunlight and glare, as you face north for most of the flight. This side offers better views of the unique environmental transformation of the Aral Sea basin. In the summer months, you may experience a very long 'golden hour' over the European plains as the sun sets slowly in the northwest.
Distance: 9,266 km (5,758 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 10 hrs 54 min
Departure: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Arrival: CDG (49.012798, 2.55)
Route Type: International
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