About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Anchorage to Chicago. Left side wins both ends of the flight. The Chugach Mountains on departure are spectacular, and the Chicago skyline with Lake Michigan on approach is the best urban arrival view in the US. The left side also tracks closer to the Canadian Rockies during the mid-flight portion over British Columbia and Alberta.
What can I see during takeoff from Ted Stevens Anchorage International in Anchorage?
During takeoff from Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Anchorage typically uses runway 15 (southbound) or 32 (northwest). On a southeast departure toward Chicago, the left side faces east toward the Chugach Mountains and the dramatic Chugach Range wall rising directly behind the city. Cook Inlet is visible on the right but the mountain scenery dominates on the left. Notable sights include: Chugach Mountains (immediate east of city), Knik Arm of Cook Inlet, Elmendorf-Richardson military base below, Matanuska-Susitna Valley opening to the north.
What can I see when landing at Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. O'Hare typically uses runways oriented east-west or northwest-southeast. On approach from the northwest, the left side faces south toward downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan's shoreline, and the city grid. The right side sees suburban sprawl with fewer distinctive features. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago River corridor, suburban grid of the North Shore.
How long is the flight from Anchorage to Chicago?
The flight from Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 7 to 7.5 hours.
What does the Anchorage to Chicago flight path pass over?
The great circle route from Anchorage to Chicago passes over the Alaska Range foothills, then southeast across British Columbia tracking near the Canadian Rockies, over Alberta and Saskatchewan prairies, then into the Upper Midwest across Minnesota and Wisconsin before descending into Chicago. The Rocky Mountain cordillera is visible for a long stretch over BC and Alberta, and the vast boreal forest and prairie transition is evident across the Canadian interior.