Edinburgh to Chicago flight pathEDIORD

Sit on the left side of the plane

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Flight time9h 30m
Distance3,701
Heading293° → 224°
Best side
LeftMostly left

The left side captures the spectacular Edinburgh departure with the Forth bridges and Arthur's Seat, and over the Atlantic and Canadian Shield offers views of Greenland's ice sheet and Labrador coastline on the left side of the typical polar-adjacent routing. The Chicago arrival view on the right is excellent but briefer. Left wins overall for the combination of the Edinburgh departure and the Greenland/Canadian coast scenery en route.

Takeoff · EDILEFTArthur's Seat volcanic plug, Firth of Forth with the Forth Rail and Road bridges, Edinburgh Castle on its rock
Landing · ORDRIGHTLake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline including Willis Tower and the Loop, Grant Park and the lakefront museum campus

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The flight typically tracks northwest over the Scottish Highlands, then across the North Atlantic near Iceland or southern Greenland where the ice sheet edge may be visible, then over Labrador and the Canadian Shield with its vast boreal forest and thousands of lakes, before crossing into the Great Lakes region over Lake Huron or Lake Michigan on descent into Chicago

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Edinburgh (left side) — Arthur's Seat volcanic plug, Firth of Forth with the Forth Rail and Road bridges, Edinburgh Castle on its rock, the Pentland Hills to the south

Takeoff from EDI

LEFT

Edinburgh typically departs on runway 06/24 or 12/30. On a westbound departure toward ORD, aircraft often climb out heading west or northwest, putting the left (south) side facing Edinburgh city centre, Arthur's Seat, and the Firth of Forth. The left side gets the iconic view back over the city and the Forth bridges as the aircraft turns northwest.

Arthur's Seat volcanic plugFirth of Forth with the Forth Rail and Road bridgesEdinburgh Castle on its rockthe Pentland Hills to the south
Aerial window seat view during landing at Chicago (right side) — Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline including Willis Tower and the Loop, Grant Park and the lakefront museum campus, the grid of Chicago's street layout

Landing at ORD

RIGHT

Flights from Edinburgh typically approach ORD from the northeast, often on runway 10R/28L or 09R/27L heading westward. On a northeast approach, the right (north) side faces Lake Michigan and the Chicago lakefront skyline, giving a clear view of the downtown skyscrapers and the lake shoreline before touchdown.

Lake Michigan shorelineChicago downtown skyline including Willis Tower and the LoopGrant Park and the lakefront museum campusthe grid of Chicago's street layout

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Edinburgh (EDI) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Edinburgh to Chicago. The left side captures the spectacular Edinburgh departure with the Forth bridges and Arthur's Seat, and over the Atlantic and Canadian Shield offers views of Greenland's ice sheet and Labrador coastline on the left side of the typical polar-adjacent routing. The Chicago arrival view on the right is excellent but briefer. Left wins overall for the combination of the Edinburgh departure and the Greenland/Canadian coast scenery en route.

What can I see during takeoff from Edinburgh in Edinburgh?

During takeoff from Edinburgh (EDI), sit on the Left side for the best views. Edinburgh typically departs on runway 06/24 or 12/30. On a westbound departure toward ORD, aircraft often climb out heading west or northwest, putting the left (south) side facing Edinburgh city centre, Arthur's Seat, and the Firth of Forth. The left side gets the iconic view back over the city and the Forth bridges as the aircraft turns northwest. Notable sights include: Arthur's Seat volcanic plug, Firth of Forth with the Forth Rail and Road bridges, Edinburgh Castle on its rock, the Pentland Hills to the south.

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. Flights from Edinburgh typically approach ORD from the northeast, often on runway 10R/28L or 09R/27L heading westward. On a northeast approach, the right (north) side faces Lake Michigan and the Chicago lakefront skyline, giving a clear view of the downtown skyscrapers and the lake shoreline before touchdown. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline including Willis Tower and the Loop, Grant Park and the lakefront museum campus, the grid of Chicago's street layout.

How long is the flight from Edinburgh to Chicago?

The flight from Edinburgh (EDI) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

What does the Edinburgh to Chicago flight path pass over?

The flight typically tracks northwest over the Scottish Highlands, then across the North Atlantic near Iceland or southern Greenland where the ice sheet edge may be visible, then over Labrador and the Canadian Shield with its vast boreal forest and thousands of lakes, before crossing into the Great Lakes region over Lake Huron or Lake Michigan on descent into Chicago