CDG to JFK: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) (CDG) to New York (JFK) is a 5,834 km (3,625 mi), roughly 7h 22m 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 JFK 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
The right side wins here for both views and shade.
For this westbound flight, the right side wins twice: it gets the better views and the shade. Sit right for the strongest lookouts, and you also stay out of the sun.
Takeoff
On climbout, depending on the runway in use, the first sights are on the left: Paris and Pont Neuf slide by early and quickly.
En route
- 25m inRight →Isle of Wight
About 25 minutes in, the Isle of Wight sits on the right. It is the cleanest early cruise highlight on your side.
- 33m inRight →Jurassic Coast
Around 33 minutes in, the Jurassic Coast appears on the right. You get a shoreline sweep rather than a close pass.
- 1h 10m inRight →Carrauntoohil
About 70 minutes in, Carrauntoohil is on the right. It is a distant mountain view, not a close-up.
- 5h 17m inRight →Newfoundland
Roughly five hours in, Newfoundland shows on the right. This is a broad island view from cruise altitude.
- 6h 20m inRight →Bay of Fundy
About 6 hours 20 minutes in, the Bay of Fundy is on the right. Expect a wide water view, not a detailed shoreline.
Landing
On descent, depending on the runway in use, the final approach favors the right. You pass Boston, Lake Chaubunagungamaug, and then the New York side: the East River, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and New York City all sit to the right.
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 JFK?
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 JFK 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 JFK?
The great-circle distance is 5,834 km (3,625 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 22m 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 for CDG to JFK?
Sit on the right. It has the better views, and it is also the shade side.
What can I see on the CDG to JFK route?
You get an early look at Paris on the left, then right-side views of the Isle of Wight, the Jurassic Coast, Carrauntoohil, Newfoundland, Cape Breton Island, and the Bay of Fundy.