While the right side offers nice bookend glimpses of Charleston's harbor and Chicago's skyline, the left side wins overall because the direct route from CHS to ORD passes near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains foothills in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, giving a sustained stretch of ridge-and-valley terrain that's rare for this otherwise flat corridor.
Flown CHS to ORD? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Charleston to Chicago is 761 miles (1,224 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains foothills near the North Carolina-Tennessee border, the Tennessee Valley, and the farmland of the Ohio River valley leading into Illinois
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CHS
RIGHTDeparting CHS on runway 33 toward the northwest, the initial climb offers a brief but genuine look back at Charleston Harbor, the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and the Atlantic coastline on the right before the aircraft turns inland. The left side only shows the flat Lowcountry pine flats and suburban sprawl of North Charleston.
Landing at ORD
RIGHTOn approach into ORD from the southeast, arrivals often pass north of the city center before turning onto the east-west runways, giving right-side passengers a distant view of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline beyond the grid of suburban streets. The left side mostly shows flat Illinois farmland and subdivisions with no comparable landmark.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charleston Afb International (CHS) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charleston to Chicago. While the right side offers nice bookend glimpses of Charleston's harbor and Chicago's skyline, the left side wins overall because the direct route from CHS to ORD passes near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains foothills in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, giving a sustained stretch of ridge-and-valley terrain that's rare for this otherwise flat corridor.
What can I see during takeoff from Charleston Afb International in Charleston?
During takeoff from Charleston Afb International (CHS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing CHS on runway 33 toward the northwest, the initial climb offers a brief but genuine look back at Charleston Harbor, the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and the Atlantic coastline on the right before the aircraft turns inland. The left side only shows the flat Lowcountry pine flats and suburban sprawl of North Charleston. Notable sights include: Charleston Harbor, Ashley and Cooper Rivers, Fort Sumter area, Atlantic Ocean coastline.
What can I see when landing at Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into ORD from the southeast, arrivals often pass north of the city center before turning onto the east-west runways, giving right-side passengers a distant view of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline beyond the grid of suburban streets. The left side mostly shows flat Illinois farmland and subdivisions with no comparable landmark. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline (Willis Tower area), Lake Michigan shoreline, O'Hare's runway grid, northern Chicago suburbs.
How long is the flight from Charleston to Chicago?
The flight from Charleston Afb International (CHS) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 761 miles (1,224 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Charleston to Chicago flight path pass over?
Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains foothills near the North Carolina-Tennessee border, the Tennessee Valley, and the farmland of the Ohio River valley leading into Illinois