About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Barcelona (BCN) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Barcelona to Chicago. Left side wins both departure and arrival. At takeoff you get the full Barcelona urban panorama and Collserola hills; on landing you get the iconic Chicago lakefront approach. The right side offers open Mediterranean and open Lake Michigan — water with no landmarks of note at either end.
What can I see during takeoff from Barcelona in Barcelona?
During takeoff from Barcelona (BCN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Barcelona El Prat typically departs on runway 07R/25L or 06R/24L heading northeast or southwest. On a transatlantic westbound departure, aircraft often climb out over the sea then turn northwest. The left side gives you the Barcelona city grid, the Sagrada Familia district, and the Collserola ridge behind the city before you clear the coast. Notable sights include: Barcelona city grid and port, Montjuïc hill, Collserola ridge (Serra de Collserola), Llobregat delta wetlands.
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 lands from the east on runways 10L/10R or from the west on 28L/28R. On a transatlantic arrival from the east, the approach over Lake Michigan gives the left side a clear view of the Chicago lakefront skyline — the Loop towers, Grant Park, and the lake shore — before the aircraft turns inland to the airport. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, suburban Cook County grid.
How long is the flight from Barcelona to Chicago?
The flight from Barcelona (BCN) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Barcelona to Chicago flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest across the Pyrenees, over the Bay of Biscay, across southern Ireland and the Irish coast, then over the North Atlantic. Mid-flight passes over Greenland's southern ice sheet and coastline, which is visible in clear conditions as a dramatic white expanse with dark fjords cutting into the ice edge. The route then crosses the Canadian Maritime provinces — Newfoundland and Labrador — before tracking southwest over Quebec and the Great Lakes toward Chicago.