The right side delivers the more dramatic single moment — the Chicago lakefront approach is one of the most visually striking urban arrivals in North America. During the transatlantic cruise, both sides see open ocean, Greenland's ice sheet, and Canadian boreal forest roughly equally, so the landing view tips the balance to the right side.
Flown FRA to MDW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Frankfurt to Chicago is 4,335 miles (6,977 km), a flight of about 9 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks northwest over the Netherlands and North Sea, then crosses southern Iceland or just south of it, over the Greenland ice sheet with visible glaciers and fjords, then across the Labrador Sea and the vast boreal forest of Quebec and Ontario, before descending over Lake Michigan into Chicago. The Greenland coast and ice cap are the most visually dramatic midpoint features, visible from both sides.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from FRA
LEFTFrankfurt departures on runway 07L/07R head eastward before turning northwest toward the Atlantic. Left-side passengers get views over Frankfurt city center, the Main River bends, and the dense Taunus hills to the north. The right side faces south toward flat Rhine-Main plain with less visual interest.
Landing at MDW
RIGHTMidway typically receives arrivals from the east on runway 31C/31L, meaning the aircraft approaches from the southeast over Indiana. Right-side passengers get the iconic view of downtown Chicago's lakefront, the Loop skyline, and Lake Michigan's shoreline as the plane descends over the south side. Left side faces inland over suburban sprawl.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Chicago Midway International (MDW)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Frankfurt to Chicago. The right side delivers the more dramatic single moment — the Chicago lakefront approach is one of the most visually striking urban arrivals in North America. During the transatlantic cruise, both sides see open ocean, Greenland's ice sheet, and Canadian boreal forest roughly equally, so the landing view tips the balance to the right side.
What can I see during takeoff from Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
During takeoff from Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Frankfurt departures on runway 07L/07R head eastward before turning northwest toward the Atlantic. Left-side passengers get views over Frankfurt city center, the Main River bends, and the dense Taunus hills to the north. The right side faces south toward flat Rhine-Main plain with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Frankfurt skyline and Main River bend, Taunus hills and Feldberg summit, Rhine River valley to the northwest, Wiesbaden and Mainz confluence area.
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. Midway typically receives arrivals from the east on runway 31C/31L, meaning the aircraft approaches from the southeast over Indiana. Right-side passengers get the iconic view of downtown Chicago's lakefront, the Loop skyline, and Lake Michigan's shoreline as the plane descends over the south side. Left side faces inland over suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline and Willis Tower, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Chicago's South Side street grid.
How long is the flight from Frankfurt to Chicago?
The flight from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Chicago Midway International (MDW) takes about 9 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,335 miles (6,977 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Frankfurt to Chicago flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over the Netherlands and North Sea, then crosses southern Iceland or just south of it, over the Greenland ice sheet with visible glaciers and fjords, then across the Labrador Sea and the vast boreal forest of Quebec and Ontario, before descending over Lake Michigan into Chicago. The Greenland coast and ice cap are the most visually dramatic midpoint features, visible from both sides.