Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Buffalo. While takeoff offers good Chicago views from the right, the landing approach provides more dramatic and geographically distinctive features—the Niagara River gorge and falls are more visually striking than the relatively flat Lake Michigan departure. Left seats capture the most memorable segment of this route.

During takeoff from Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the climb-out over Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline to the northeast. Midway typically departs runways 4L/4R or 13L/13R; runway 4 departures heading northeast offer the best lake and downtown views. Right seats maximize this perspective as the aircraft banks and climbs. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan (immediate eastern boundary), Chicago downtown skyline including Willis Tower, Lake Shore Drive corridor running north-south along the shoreline.

When landing at Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer views of the Niagara River, Niagara Falls, and the approach corridor over western New York. Buffalo typically lands on runways 24L/24R or 6L/6R; runway 24 approaches from the west provide the best geography. Left seats face the scenic features as the aircraft descends on final approach. Notable sights include: Niagara River (narrow gorge between US and Canada), Niagara Falls (visible as white mist plume in clear conditions), Lake Ontario to the north, Niagara Escarpment ridge line.

The flight from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses central Indiana and Ohio, passing over the relatively flat glaciated terrain of the Midwest. Notable features include the southern shore of Lake Michigan (visible from climb-out), the Indiana Dunes area, and the transition into Ohio's agricultural landscape. As the aircraft approaches western New York, the terrain gradually rises toward the Appalachian Plateau. The Finger Lakes region of New York (long north-south glacial lakes) may be visible from altitude on clear days, appearing as thin dark lines in the landscape. The final approach descends into the Lake Ontario basin and the Niagara Frontier region.