Chicago to Buffalo flight pathMDWBUF

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

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Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time1h 40m
Distance467
Heading077° → 083°
Best side
Left
★ 3.0 left·★ 1.5 right

The left side offers the only real scenic payoffs on this short flight — the Chicago skyline at takeoff and Lake Erie's shoreline with a possible Niagara Falls glimpse on approach — while the right side stays over flat, featureless Midwest farmland the entire time.

Takeoff · MDWLEFTChicago skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Midway's grid of suburban neighborhoods
Landing · BUFLEFTEastern Lake Erie shoreline, Niagara River corridor, distant Niagara Falls mist

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Flat farmland of northern Indiana and Ohio, with the flight path passing south of Lake Erie's main basin before angling toward Buffalo

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Chicago (left side) — Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Midway's grid of suburban neighborhoods

Takeoff from MDW

LEFT

Departing MDW to the southeast before turning northeast, passengers on the left get a good look back at the Chicago skyline and the southern curve of Lake Michigan's shoreline, a nice contrast to the flat suburban sprawl visible on the right.

Chicago skylineLake Michigan shorelineMidway's grid of suburban neighborhoods

Landing at BUF

LEFT

On approach into BUF from the west, the northern (left) side offers views over the eastern end of Lake Erie and, on clear days, a distant glimpse of the Niagara River gorge and Niagara Falls mist plume to the northwest before the plane turns onto final.

Eastern Lake Erie shorelineNiagara River corridordistant Niagara Falls mistBuffalo's waterfront grain elevators

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Buffalo. The left side offers the only real scenic payoffs on this short flight — the Chicago skyline at takeoff and Lake Erie's shoreline with a possible Niagara Falls glimpse on approach — while the right side stays over flat, featureless Midwest farmland the entire time.

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 to the southeast before turning northeast, passengers on the left get a good look back at the Chicago skyline and the southern curve of Lake Michigan's shoreline, a nice contrast to the flat suburban sprawl visible on the right. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Midway's grid of suburban neighborhoods.

What can I see when landing at Buffalo Niagara International in Buffalo?

When landing at Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into BUF from the west, the northern (left) side offers views over the eastern end of Lake Erie and, on clear days, a distant glimpse of the Niagara River gorge and Niagara Falls mist plume to the northwest before the plane turns onto final. Notable sights include: Eastern Lake Erie shoreline, Niagara River corridor, distant Niagara Falls mist, Buffalo's waterfront grain elevators.

How long is the flight from Chicago to Buffalo?

The flight from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) takes 1h 40m.

What does the Chicago to Buffalo flight path pass over?

Flat farmland of northern Indiana and Ohio, with the flight path passing south of Lake Erie's main basin before angling toward Buffalo