Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Chicago. The left side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight — Atlanta's skyline and Stone Mountain on departure, and the Chicago lakefront and Loop on arrival. The mid-flight terrain is relatively flat so neither side dominates the cruise phase.

During takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Left side for the best views. ATL's primary departure runways (8L/8R heading east, or 26L/26R heading west) mean a northbound climb-out swings the aircraft to reveal downtown Atlanta's skyline on the left side. The left seat also picks up Stone Mountain's distinctive granite dome to the east-northeast as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain granite dome, Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Chattahoochee River corridor.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD's most common arrival paths from the south bring aircraft in on runways 10L/10C or 28R/28L. A southerly approach over the Chicago metro puts Lake Michigan and the downtown Chicago lakefront skyline on the left side, which is one of the most dramatic urban aerial views in North America. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago Loop skyline, Wrigley Field in Wrigleyville, the Chicago River corridor.

The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes.

The flight tracks roughly northwest over the Tennessee River valley near Chattanooga, then crosses the Cumberland Plateau and the rolling hills of middle Tennessee. Over Kentucky the terrain flattens into the Ohio River valley, which may be briefly visible as a broad silvery ribbon. Northern Indiana's flat agricultural grid dominates the final cruise segment before the Chicago suburbs appear.