Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Memphis to Chicago. The left side captures the Mississippi River departure from Memphis, which is the most visually dramatic moment of the flight. The right side wins at landing, but the river view on climb-out is more distinctive and unique to this route. If forced to pick one side for the whole flight, left gives you the Memphis river geography at takeoff and a reasonable view of the Chicago suburban approach.

During takeoff from Memphis International (MEM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Memphis runways typically send northbound departures on a heading that puts the Mississippi River on the left side. You get a clear view of the river's wide bends and the downtown Memphis skyline including the Hernando de Soto Bridge as you climb out. Notable sights include: Mississippi River bends, downtown Memphis skyline, Hernando de Soto Bridge, Tom Lee Park riverfront.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. O'Hare arrivals from the south typically approach on westerly or northwesterly headings, putting Lake Michigan and the Chicago lakefront on the right side. You get a prolonged view of the city grid, Grant Park, and the lake as you descend through 10,000 feet. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, suburban Cook County grid.

The flight from Memphis International (MEM) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

The flight tracks roughly north-northeast over the flat Mississippi Alluvial Plain through western Tennessee, then crosses into Kentucky and southern Illinois. The terrain is almost entirely flat agricultural land — soybean and corn fields in large rectangular parcels. The Illinois River crosses the flight path in central Illinois and may be visible as a dark ribbon. No significant elevation changes or mountain ranges exist along this corridor. Springfield, Illinois sits near the midpoint and its modest urban footprint may be visible on clear days.