CDG to ATL: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) (CDG) to Atlanta (ATL) is a 7,056 km (4,384 mi), roughly 8h 48m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime CDG to ATL departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Both |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Right side for both shade and views.
Sit on the right. The shade side is also the better view side, so you get one simple answer for this westbound flight.
Takeoff
After departure from CDG, Paris and Pont Neuf sit off your left side in the climb, depending on the runway in use.
En route
- 24m inRight →Isle of Wight
About 25 minutes in, the Isle of Wight appears on your right, low and isolated against the water.
- 26m in← LeftChannel Islands
Around 25 minutes in, the Channel Islands and Sark are off your left, a small island cluster rather than one big shape.
- 48m in← LeftIsles of Scilly
Near 50 minutes in, the Isles of Scilly stay to your left, a scattered group of islands that breaks up the open sea.
- 5h 14m inRight →Newfoundland
A little past five hours in, Newfoundland comes up on your right, with open water still doing most of the work around it.
- 6h 16m inRight →Bay of Fundy
About six and a half hours in, the Bay of Fundy is on your right, a broad coastline feature that stands out as you close in.
- 8h 25m inRight →Blue Ridge Mountains
On descent, the Blue Ridge Mountains hold the right side, rising as a long mountain line before Atlanta.
Landing
On approach, Atlanta comes up on your right and nearly under you in the last minute, depending on the runway in use.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from CDG to ATL?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on CDG to ATL flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from CDG to ATL?
The great-circle distance is 7,056 km (4,384 mi), which works out to roughly 8h 48m in the air on this westbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from CDG to ATL?
Sit on the right. It has the better views and the shade side on this route.
Will I see anything interesting near Atlanta on arrival?
Yes. Atlanta comes in on the right very late in the descent, and it passes nearly overhead just before landing, depending on the runway in use.