Systems and methods for infiltrating porous ceramic matrix composite (CMC) preforms to form CMC articles are disclosed. One method may include positioning the porous CMC preform in an opening of a die set for an infiltration system, and flowing a molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a first flow direction to infiltrate a plurality of voids formed between each of a plurality of ply stacks of the CMC preform. The method may also include flowing the molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a second flow direction, distinct from the first flow direction, to infiltrate the plurality of voids formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks of the CMC preform. The second flow direction may be substantially parallel to a predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of at least one ply stack of the plurality of ply stacks of the CMC preform.