The left side offers the trip's most substantial scenery — the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan at departure — while the rest of the route over the flat Midwest and Tennessee Valley is largely featureless farmland regardless of side, making the left side's takeoff view the deciding factor.
Flight Path
The route crosses southern Indiana and Kentucky farmland, skirts the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau near the Tennessee border, then passes over the rolling foothills of north Georgia before descending toward Atlanta.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from MDW
LEFTDeparting MDW toward the southeast, the initial climb puts downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan off the left side of the aircraft, giving a brief but distinctive skyline and lakefront view before the plane levels off over flat farmland.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTOn the descent into ATL, arrivals from the north typically swing onto final for the west-facing runways with a turn that briefly exposes the right side of the cabin toward downtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain before the plane straightens out over the airport's flat approach corridor.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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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 Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Atlanta. The left side offers the trip's most substantial scenery — the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan at departure — while the rest of the route over the flat Midwest and Tennessee Valley is largely featureless farmland regardless of side, making the left side's takeoff view the deciding factor.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Midway International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing MDW toward the southeast, the initial climb puts downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan off the left side of the aircraft, giving a brief but distinctive skyline and lakefront view before the plane levels off over flat farmland. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop high-rises), Lake Michigan shoreline, Midway's surrounding grid of southside neighborhoods.
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 Right side for the best views. On the descent into ATL, arrivals from the north typically swing onto final for the west-facing runways with a turn that briefly exposes the right side of the cabin toward downtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain before the plane straightens out over the airport's flat approach corridor. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain, Hartsfield-Jackson's parallel runway complex.
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 1h 45m.
What does the Chicago to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The route crosses southern Indiana and Kentucky farmland, skirts the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau near the Tennessee border, then passes over the rolling foothills of north Georgia before descending toward Atlanta.