Maputo to Chicago flight path: MPM to ORD

Sit on the left side of the plane

Which side of the plane?

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

Flight time18h 00m
Distance8,924
Heading304° → 271°
Best side
Left

Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Maputo Bay and Inhaca Island, and on arrival into O'Hare you get the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either end.

Flown MPM to ORD? Did we get it right?

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Maputo to Chicago is 8,924 miles (14,362 km), a flight of about 18 hours.

The route typically arcs north over East Africa crossing Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, then over the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea, across Western Europe including the Alps if routing via a European hub, then the North Atlantic, and finally the Great Lakes region of North America. Key geographic features include the Ethiopian Highlands, the Sahara's vast sand seas, the Mediterranean coastline, and the St. Lawrence or Great Lakes corridor depending on the transatlantic routing.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Takeoff from MPM

LEFT

Maputo airport's primary departure runway 23 takes you southwest, putting the left side facing southeast toward Maputo Bay and the Indian Ocean coastline. You get a clear view of the bay's wide estuary, the city waterfront, and the Inhaca Island sitting in the bay mouth.

Maputo Bay estuaryInhaca IslandMaputo city waterfront and portKatembe peninsula
MPM MaputoHub for LAM Mozambique Airlines
Aerial window seat view during landing at Chicago (left side) — Lake Michigan southern shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline, suburban Cook County grid, O'Hare's distinctive multi-runway complex

Landing at ORD

LEFT

O'Hare typically uses runways oriented east-west or northwest-southeast. Approaches from the south or southeast on runway 10L/10R put the left side facing north toward downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan's southern shoreline, and the city grid. The lakefront and skyline are unmistakable on final approach.

Lake Michigan southern shorelineChicago downtown skylinesuburban Cook County gridO'Hare's distinctive multi-runway complex
ORD Chicago Ohare InternationalHub for United Airlines, American Airlines

Will your flight be in sunlight?

Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Maputo (MPM) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Maputo to Chicago. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Maputo Bay and Inhaca Island, and on arrival into O'Hare you get the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either end.

What can I see during takeoff from Maputo in Maputo?

During takeoff from Maputo (MPM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Maputo airport's primary departure runway 23 takes you southwest, putting the left side facing southeast toward Maputo Bay and the Indian Ocean coastline. You get a clear view of the bay's wide estuary, the city waterfront, and the Inhaca Island sitting in the bay mouth. Notable sights include: Maputo Bay estuary, Inhaca Island, Maputo city waterfront and port, Katembe peninsula.

What can I see when landing at Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. O'Hare typically uses runways oriented east-west or northwest-southeast. Approaches from the south or southeast on runway 10L/10R put the left side facing north toward downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan's southern shoreline, and the city grid. The lakefront and skyline are unmistakable on final approach. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan southern shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline, suburban Cook County grid, O'Hare's distinctive multi-runway complex.

How long is the flight from Maputo to Chicago?

The flight from Maputo (MPM) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes about 18 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 8,924 miles (14,362 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Maputo to Chicago flight path pass over?

The route typically arcs north over East Africa crossing Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, then over the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea, across Western Europe including the Alps if routing via a European hub, then the North Atlantic, and finally the Great Lakes region of North America. Key geographic features include the Ethiopian Highlands, the Sahara's vast sand seas, the Mediterranean coastline, and the St. Lawrence or Great Lakes corridor depending on the transatlantic routing.