The right side wins narrowly thanks to glimpses of Houston's skyline and ship channel at departure and a strong chance of seeing Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan on arrival, while the cruise phase over Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois farmland offers little scenery on either side.
Flight Path
Flat agricultural plains of eastern Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri, with a crossing of the Mississippi River near the Missouri-Illinois border and low Ozark foothills visible to the west of the flight path.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAH
RIGHTIAH departures typically roll south before turning north toward Chicago, and during that turn the right side offers a brief view of downtown Houston's skyline and the Houston Ship Channel/Galveston Bay area. The left side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl and pine forest with no distinguishing features.
Landing at ORD
RIGHTArrivals into ORD from the south typically curve to align with the east-west runways, and this pattern often puts Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline on the right side during final descent. The left side instead shows flat western suburbs and farmland 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 George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Chicago. The right side wins narrowly thanks to glimpses of Houston's skyline and ship channel at departure and a strong chance of seeing Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan on arrival, while the cruise phase over Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois farmland offers little scenery on either side.
What can I see during takeoff from George Bush Intcntl Houston in Houston?
During takeoff from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH), sit on the Right side for the best views. IAH departures typically roll south before turning north toward Chicago, and during that turn the right side offers a brief view of downtown Houston's skyline and the Houston Ship Channel/Galveston Bay area. The left side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl and pine forest with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay in the distance, Sam Houston National Forest.
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. Arrivals into ORD from the south typically curve to align with the east-west runways, and this pattern often puts Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline on the right side during final descent. The left side instead shows flat western suburbs and farmland with no major landmarks. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Sears Tower area), Lake Michigan shoreline, O'Hare's runway complex, western Chicago suburbs.
How long is the flight from Houston to Chicago?
The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 2h 40m.
What does the Houston to Chicago flight path pass over?
Flat agricultural plains of eastern Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri, with a crossing of the Mississippi River near the Missouri-Illinois border and low Ozark foothills visible to the west of the flight path.