Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Baltimore to Chicago. Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the cruise portion heading northwest, the left side also tracks closer to the urban corridor through Pennsylvania and northern Indiana, offering occasional city grid views. Right side is largely rural farmland throughout.

During takeoff from Baltimore Washington International (BWI), sit on the Left side for the best views. BWI's primary departure runway 28 sends aircraft northwest, putting the Left side facing south toward the Chesapeake Bay and the Baltimore Inner Harbor. You get a clear view of the bay's broad expanse and the city waterfront as the aircraft climbs and banks westward. Notable sights include: Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore Inner Harbor, Patapsco River estuary, Francis Scott Key Bridge span.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. O'Hare's primary arrival runways from the east typically bring aircraft in on headings around 270 or 280 degrees, meaning the Left side faces south over the Chicago lakefront and downtown skyline. The Loop, Grant Park, and Lake Michigan shoreline are clearly visible on approach. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park, Wrigley Field neighborhood grid.

The flight from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight crosses the Allegheny Plateau in western Pennsylvania, then the flat agricultural plains of northern Indiana and Illinois. The Susquehanna River is visible early in the flight, followed by the broad Ohio River valley region. The terrain flattens dramatically after crossing into Ohio, transitioning to the Corn Belt grid of Indiana and Illinois farmland. No major mountain ranges are crossed — the Appalachians are largely south of this routing.