About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Atlanta. The right side delivers the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan spectacle on departure, which is one of the most dramatic urban aerial views in the US. The landing view on the left is good but Atlanta's skyline is more modest. Right side wins on the strength of the Chicago departure alone.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Midway International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Midway's most common departure is runway 31L/31C heading northwest, then turning south toward Atlanta. A right-side seat captures the Chicago skyline to the east as you climb out, with Lake Michigan visible beyond it. The Loop's dense tower cluster and the lakefront are clearly identifiable from this angle. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park/Museum Campus, Calumet industrial waterway to the southeast.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Atlanta's primary arrival from the north typically uses runways 28L/28R or 27L/27R, approaching from the northeast. A left-side seat on final approach gives a clear view of downtown Atlanta's skyline to the north, with Buckhead visible further out. The dense urban core and the distinctive interchange of I-285 and I-75/85 are easy to spot. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Buckhead district towers, Stone Mountain (distant, to the east), I-285/I-75 interchange spaghetti junction.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Atlanta?
The flight from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Chicago to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over central Indiana, crossing the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky, then over the rolling hills and forests of central Tennessee. The Tennessee River valley and Cumberland Plateau ridgelines are visible as subtle terrain changes. Nashville's urban area may be visible to the right side roughly mid-flight. The terrain gradually transitions from flat Midwest farmland to the more forested, gently hilly Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia.