Both sides cross mostly flat Great Plains and Midwest farmland, but the right side catches the Mississippi River crossing near St. Louis during cruise and the Chicago skyline plus Lake Michigan glimpse on final approach, giving it slightly more variety than the largely featureless left side.
Flight Path
Rolling farmland of eastern Oklahoma and northern Missouri, Ozark foothills near Springfield, and the Mississippi River crossing just west of St. Louis
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from DFW
LEFTDFW's typical south-flow departure sends aircraft climbing south before banking left toward the northeast course to Chicago. That turn gives left-side passengers a sweeping look at downtown Dallas and the Trinity River before the plane levels off over flat Texas prairie.
Landing at ORD
RIGHTOn approach to ORD from the southwest, the turn onto final for the east-west runways swings the right side toward Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, giving a brief but genuine glimpse of the lakefront and Loop before touchdown.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Chicago. Both sides cross mostly flat Great Plains and Midwest farmland, but the right side catches the Mississippi River crossing near St. Louis during cruise and the Chicago skyline plus Lake Michigan glimpse on final approach, giving it slightly more variety than the largely featureless left side.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
During takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Left side for the best views. DFW's typical south-flow departure sends aircraft climbing south before banking left toward the northeast course to Chicago. That turn gives left-side passengers a sweeping look at downtown Dallas and the Trinity River before the plane levels off over flat Texas prairie. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline, Trinity River, DFW airport terminal complex, Fort Worth suburbs.
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 to ORD from the southwest, the turn onto final for the east-west runways swings the right side toward Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, giving a brief but genuine glimpse of the lakefront and Loop before touchdown. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline (Willis Tower, Trump Tower), Lake Michigan shoreline, O'Hare's surrounding suburbs, Des Plaines River.
How long is the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Chicago?
The flight from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 2h 10m.
What does the Dallas-Fort Worth to Chicago flight path pass over?
Rolling farmland of eastern Oklahoma and northern Missouri, Ozark foothills near Springfield, and the Mississippi River crossing just west of St. Louis