The left side wins on both ends: a possible Paris flyover at departure and a Chicago lakefront skyline view on arrival, while the right side sees mostly featureless farmland and suburbs during those same phases.
Flight Path
Great Circle route crosses the English Channel or southern England, the North Atlantic, the southern tip of Greenland or Labrador Sea depending on routing, then Canadian Maritime provinces and the Great Lakes region before descending into Chicago — the bulk of the flight is open ocean with no visible landmarks.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CDG
LEFTDeparting CDG northbound then curving west, the left side offers views over Paris itself if the flight path banks that way, plus the Seine valley and patchwork French countryside. This is more visually interesting than the typically flat farmland seen to the north and east.
Landing at ORD
LEFTArrivals into ORD from the east often pass over Lake Michigan's southern shore and the Chicago skyline before turning to final approach, giving left-side passengers a strong view of the lakefront and downtown towers. The right side typically shows only flat Illinois suburbs.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Chicago. The left side wins on both ends: a possible Paris flyover at departure and a Chicago lakefront skyline view on arrival, while the right side sees mostly featureless farmland and suburbs during those same phases.
What can I see during takeoff from Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
During takeoff from Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing CDG northbound then curving west, the left side offers views over Paris itself if the flight path banks that way, plus the Seine valley and patchwork French countryside. This is more visually interesting than the typically flat farmland seen to the north and east. Notable sights include: Paris skyline (possible Eiffel Tower glimpse), Seine River, Charles de Gaulle airport complex, French countryside patchwork fields.
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. Arrivals into ORD from the east often pass over Lake Michigan's southern shore and the Chicago skyline before turning to final approach, giving left-side passengers a strong view of the lakefront and downtown towers. The right side typically shows only flat Illinois suburbs. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Sears Tower area), Lake Michigan shoreline, Navy Pier, Chicago River mouth.
How long is the flight from Paris to Chicago?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 9h 05m.
What does the Paris to Chicago flight path pass over?
Great Circle route crosses the English Channel or southern England, the North Atlantic, the southern tip of Greenland or Labrador Sea depending on routing, then Canadian Maritime provinces and the Great Lakes region before descending into Chicago — the bulk of the flight is open ocean with no visible landmarks.