The right side offers the Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline at departure, then later in the route captures glimpses of Iceland's coastline and Greenland's ice-covered terrain as the great-circle path curves northward, followed by the Chicago lakefront on arrival — a much more varied and dramatic sequence than the left side's largely open-ocean and flat interior views.
Flight Path
Southern Iceland's coastline, the Greenland ice sheet and its fjorded southwestern edge, the Davis Strait, and the tundra of Labrador and Hudson Bay before the route crosses into the Great Lakes region
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IST
RIGHTDeparting IST on the northbound runways, a turn toward the northwest puts the Bosphorus strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the northern Istanbul skyline on the right side of the aircraft as it climbs out over the Black Sea coast.
Landing at ORD
RIGHTOn approach into ORD from the northeast, arrivals often cross the southern tip of Lake Michigan, giving right-side passengers a view of the Chicago skyline and lakefront before the turn onto final approach over the flat suburban grid.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from İstanbul Airport (IST) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Chicago. The right side offers the Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline at departure, then later in the route captures glimpses of Iceland's coastline and Greenland's ice-covered terrain as the great-circle path curves northward, followed by the Chicago lakefront on arrival — a much more varied and dramatic sequence than the left side's largely open-ocean and flat interior views.
What can I see during takeoff from İstanbul Airport in Istanbul?
During takeoff from İstanbul Airport (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing IST on the northbound runways, a turn toward the northwest puts the Bosphorus strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the northern Istanbul skyline on the right side of the aircraft as it climbs out over the Black Sea coast. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul's European skyline, Black Sea coastline, Sea of Marmara.
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. On approach into ORD from the northeast, arrivals often cross the southern tip of Lake Michigan, giving right-side passengers a view of the Chicago skyline and lakefront before the turn onto final approach over the flat suburban grid. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, Loop), O'Hare's surrounding suburban grid.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Chicago?
The flight from İstanbul Airport (IST) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 11h 40m.
What does the Istanbul to Chicago flight path pass over?
Southern Iceland's coastline, the Greenland ice sheet and its fjorded southwestern edge, the Davis Strait, and the tundra of Labrador and Hudson Bay before the route crosses into the Great Lakes region