About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to Orlando International (MCO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Orlando. Right-side seats win both takeoff and landing. You'll see Chicago's urban core and lakefront on departure, then enjoy central Florida's distinctive lake-dotted landscape on approach into Orlando.
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. Right-side seats capture the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan during the initial climb. Midway typically departs runways 31L/31R or 22L/22R; either direction gives right-seaters a view of downtown Chicago's high-rises and the lakefront as you bank eastward over the city. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, Trump Tower visible as white spires), Lake Michigan shoreline, Bridgeport neighborhood industrial areas, Des Plaines River valley.
What can I see when landing at Orlando International in Orlando?
When landing at Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer the best view of Orlando's approach over central Florida's lakes and theme parks. MCO typically lands runways 09L/09R or 27L/27R; a westbound approach (runway 27) gives right-seaters views of the Orange County landscape, lakes, and the airport's immediate surroundings. Notable sights include: Lake Apopka (large shallow lake west of airport), multiple smaller lakes dotting central Florida (Butler Chain of Lakes area), flat pine and palmetto scrubland, Orlando metropolitan sprawl.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Orlando?
The flight from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to Orlando International (MCO) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Chicago to Orlando flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses southern Illinois and Kentucky, passing east of the Appalachian foothills. Notable features include the Ohio River valley (visible as a darker green corridor around 1.5 hours into flight), Tennessee's rolling terrain, and Georgia's piedmont region. The landscape transitions from Midwestern agricultural flatland to increasingly hilly terrain, then flattens again as you approach central Florida's peninsula. Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake may be visible during the Kentucky portion of the flight. The flight generally stays inland, avoiding the Atlantic coast.