Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Des Moines to Chicago. Takeoff offers more distinctive urban and river features than landing, and the right side captures Des Moines' geography more clearly. Landing views are good but Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline are visible from both sides during approach.

During takeoff from Des Moines International (DSM), sit on the Right side for the best views. DSM typically departs eastbound on runways 3 or 5, and right-side seats face north across the Des Moines metro area and toward the Raccoon River valley. This gives you the clearest view of the city grid and surrounding agricultural landscape as you climb. Notable sights include: Des Moines skyline and State Capitol building, Raccoon River winding through the city, suburban sprawl extending north toward Ankeny, patchwork of Iowa cornfields and pasture land.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD typically lands westbound on runways 28L or 28R, and left-side seats face south across Lake Michigan and the Chicago shoreline during final approach. You'll see the lake's expanse, the downtown skyline, and the grid of the city spreading inland. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan's eastern shore and water surface, Chicago downtown skyline with Willis Tower and John Hancock Center, Lake Shore Drive hugging the coastline, grid pattern of Chicago's North Shore neighborhoods.

The flight from Des Moines International (DSM) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses central Illinois, passing over the Illinois River valley and farmland between the two cities. Around the midpoint near the Illinois-Iowa border, you'll see the transition from Iowa's rolling agricultural terrain to Illinois' flatter prairie landscape. The Cedar Rapids area lies slightly north of the direct route. As you approach Chicago, the terrain gradually becomes more developed with suburban sprawl visible 40-50 miles west of ORD before Lake Michigan appears on the eastern horizon.