The left side wins because it captures Dublin's city and bay on departure and Chicago's lakefront skyline on arrival, the two scenic highlights of an otherwise ocean- and forest-dominated transatlantic route.
Flight Path
North Atlantic open ocean, the southern tip of Greenland's coastal mountains, the Labrador Sea and Labrador Peninsula, Hudson Bay's southern shore, and the lake-studded boreal forest of the Canadian Shield leading toward the Great Lakes basin near Lake Michigan
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DUB
LEFTDeparting runway 28 to the west, Dublin Airport sits just north of the city, so the climb-out puts Dublin's skyline, the Liffey estuary and Dublin Bay on the left side of the aircraft, with the Wicklow Mountains rising beyond as the plane climbs. The right side only shows flat Fingal farmland.
Landing at ORD
LEFTArriving from the northeast on the typical approach into O'Hare, the aircraft descends over Lake Michigan before turning toward the west-facing runways, putting downtown Chicago's skyline and the lakefront on the left side of the cabin. The right side mostly faces open lake water or flat suburban Illinois with no major landmarks.
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 Dublin (DUB) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dublin to Chicago. The left side wins because it captures Dublin's city and bay on departure and Chicago's lakefront skyline on arrival, the two scenic highlights of an otherwise ocean- and forest-dominated transatlantic route.
What can I see during takeoff from Dublin in Dublin?
During takeoff from Dublin (DUB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing runway 28 to the west, Dublin Airport sits just north of the city, so the climb-out puts Dublin's skyline, the Liffey estuary and Dublin Bay on the left side of the aircraft, with the Wicklow Mountains rising beyond as the plane climbs. The right side only shows flat Fingal farmland. Notable sights include: Dublin city center and Docklands, Dublin Bay, Howth Head peninsula, Wicklow Mountains foothills.
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. Arriving from the northeast on the typical approach into O'Hare, the aircraft descends over Lake Michigan before turning toward the west-facing runways, putting downtown Chicago's skyline and the lakefront on the left side of the cabin. The right side mostly faces open lake water or flat suburban Illinois with no major landmarks. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, Hancock Tower), Navy Pier, Chicago's Loop lakefront parks.
How long is the flight from Dublin to Chicago?
The flight from Dublin (DUB) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 8h 40m.
What does the Dublin to Chicago flight path pass over?
North Atlantic open ocean, the southern tip of Greenland's coastal mountains, the Labrador Sea and Labrador Peninsula, Hudson Bay's southern shore, and the lake-studded boreal forest of the Canadian Shield leading toward the Great Lakes basin near Lake Michigan