The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a better view of the Welsh coast during departure and a genuine Chicago skyline/Lake Michigan view on arrival, plus it faces north across the high-latitude oceanic crossing where Greenland's southern tip and the Labrador coast are occasionally visible in clear conditions.
Flown LHR to MDW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to Chicago is 3,945 miles (6,349 km), a flight of about 9 hours 15 minutes.
Southern Ireland's coastline near Cork, the open North Atlantic, and on clear days the ice-covered mountains near Greenland's Cape Farewell before the route curves southwest over Labrador and Hudson Bay toward the Great Lakes.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
RIGHTDeparting LHR on a westerly-operations climb-out, the aircraft banks northwest toward Wales and the Irish Sea. The right side faces north, giving passengers a look back over the Chiltern Hills and the Welsh coastline before the turn out over open water, while the left side mostly shows the flat Thames Valley and Home Counties suburbs.
Landing at MDW
RIGHTOn approach into Midway, arrivals favoring runway 04R come in from the southwest, putting downtown Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline off to the right as the aircraft descends over the southern suburbs. The left side mostly shows flat residential grids with no major landmarks.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Chicago Midway International (MDW)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Chicago. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a better view of the Welsh coast during departure and a genuine Chicago skyline/Lake Michigan view on arrival, plus it faces north across the high-latitude oceanic crossing where Greenland's southern tip and the Labrador coast are occasionally visible in clear conditions.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing LHR on a westerly-operations climb-out, the aircraft banks northwest toward Wales and the Irish Sea. The right side faces north, giving passengers a look back over the Chiltern Hills and the Welsh coastline before the turn out over open water, while the left side mostly shows the flat Thames Valley and Home Counties suburbs. Notable sights include: Chiltern Hills, Bristol Channel, Welsh coastline, Irish Sea.
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. On approach into Midway, arrivals favoring runway 04R come in from the southwest, putting downtown Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline off to the right as the aircraft descends over the southern suburbs. The left side mostly shows flat residential grids with no major landmarks. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Downtown high-rises, Midway's grid-pattern suburbs.
How long is the flight from London to Chicago?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Chicago Midway International (MDW) takes about 9 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,945 miles (6,349 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to Chicago flight path pass over?
Southern Ireland's coastline near Cork, the open North Atlantic, and on clear days the ice-covered mountains near Greenland's Cape Farewell before the route curves southwest over Labrador and Hudson Bay toward the Great Lakes.