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SXM โ ORY
Which side of the plane to sit from Princess Juliana International Airport (Philipsburg) to Paris-Orly Airport (Paris)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is superior for this route primarily due to the spectacular departure from Princess Juliana Airport, offering direct views of the famous Maho Beach and the chain of volcanic Caribbean islands like St. Barts and Saba shortly after takeoff.
Maho Beach
Immediately after takeoff from Runway 10, look down to see the world-famous beach where tourists watch planes depart.
St. Barthรฉlemy & Saba
Breathtaking views of the lush, mountainous neighboring islands of the Leeward chain during the initial climb.
Atlantic Sunrise
Because this flight usually travels overnight, the right side gets front-row seats to the sunrise over the ocean horizon.
Vendรฉe Coast
The sandy stretches of the western French coast and the island of Noirmoutier are often visible as the plane makes landfall.
The Beauce Plains
The vast, golden agricultural heartland of France, characterized by large fields and wind farms, precedes the arrival into Orly.
The right side is essential for the iconic Caribbean island views at takeoff. For the best experience, ensure you have a window seat clear of the wing. As the flight progresses through the night, the right side will witness the sunrise over the Atlantic, which is stunning but may require closing the shade to sleep until dawn.
Anguilla Island
Shortly after departure, look north to see the long, flat coral island of Anguilla surrounded by turquoise waters.
North Atlantic Crossing
A vast expanse of deep blue ocean; occasionally, large cargo ships or whitecaps are visible from high altitude.
Brittany Coastline
As the flight enters European airspace, the rugged, jagged coastline of Brittany often comes into view below.
Loire Valley Chateaus
The winding Loire River and its surrounding lush greenery are visible as you head toward the center of France.
Paris Landmarks
Depending on the landing pattern at Orly, the Eiffel Tower and the Paris city center may be visible in the distance to the north.
Choose the left side if you want the best chance of spotting the Paris skyline during the final approach. Since this is an eastbound transatlantic flight, the left side faces north, which avoids direct sunlight during the day, making it easier to take photos of the French coastline upon arrival in the morning.
Distance: 6,723 km (4,177 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 7 hrs 55 min
Departure: SXM (18.0410003662, -63.1088981628)
Arrival: ORY (48.7233333, 2.3794444)
Route Type: International
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