While left seats offer good Rome departure views, right seats provide superior landing experience with Lake Michigan and Chicago's iconic skyline. The transatlantic crossing itself offers limited distinctive features (open Atlantic), so the landing view carries more weight for passenger experience.
Flown FCO to MDW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Rome to Chicago is 4,813 miles (7,746 km), a flight of about 10 hours.
The flight path crosses the Atlantic Ocean with no significant landmarks visible for roughly 6-7 hours. Approaching North America, passengers may see the Canadian Maritime provinces and Nova Scotia coastline, then the New England coast and Great Lakes region. The flight passes south of Greenland and Iceland. Over the Atlantic, occasional cloud formations and the curvature of the horizon are the primary visual features; no landmasses are visible for the majority of the crossing.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from FCO
LEFTFCO typically departs runway 16L/R with northwesterly headings. Left seats face toward the Alban Hills and the Tiber River valley, providing immediate views of Rome's southern periphery and the volcanic landscape south of the city.
Landing at MDW
RIGHTChicago Midway typically lands on runways 31L/R with southwesterly approaches. Right seats face toward Lake Michigan and the downtown Chicago skyline during descent, offering views of the lakefront, the grid of the city, and the industrial areas south of the airport.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Fiumicino (FCO) to Chicago Midway International (MDW)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Rome to Chicago. While left seats offer good Rome departure views, right seats provide superior landing experience with Lake Michigan and Chicago's iconic skyline. The transatlantic crossing itself offers limited distinctive features (open Atlantic), so the landing view carries more weight for passenger experience.
What can I see during takeoff from Fiumicino in Rome?
During takeoff from Fiumicino (FCO), sit on the Left side for the best views. FCO typically departs runway 16L/R with northwesterly headings. Left seats face toward the Alban Hills and the Tiber River valley, providing immediate views of Rome's southern periphery and the volcanic landscape south of the city. Notable sights include: Alban Hills (Castelli Romani volcanic ridge), Tiber River winding through the Roman Campagna, Lake Albano in the crater of an extinct volcano, Appian Way corridor visible as a linear feature through the agricultural plain.
What can I see when landing at Chicago Midway International in Chicago?
When landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Chicago Midway typically lands on runways 31L/R with southwesterly approaches. Right seats face toward Lake Michigan and the downtown Chicago skyline during descent, offering views of the lakefront, the grid of the city, and the industrial areas south of the airport. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline and breakwaters, Chicago downtown skyline and Willis Tower visible in clear conditions, the Calumet River and industrial corridor south of Midway, the grid street pattern of Chicago's South Side neighborhoods.
How long is the flight from Rome to Chicago?
The flight from Fiumicino (FCO) to Chicago Midway International (MDW) takes about 10 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 4,813 miles (7,746 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Rome to Chicago flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Atlantic Ocean with no significant landmarks visible for roughly 6-7 hours. Approaching North America, passengers may see the Canadian Maritime provinces and Nova Scotia coastline, then the New England coast and Great Lakes region. The flight passes south of Greenland and Iceland. Over the Atlantic, occasional cloud formations and the curvature of the horizon are the primary visual features; no landmasses are visible for the majority of the crossing.