Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ontario to Chicago. While takeoff favors the left for mountain views, the landing approach to MDW strongly favors right seats for Lake Michigan and Chicago's iconic skyline—the more memorable visual payoff for a cross-country flight.

During takeoff from Ontario International (ONT), sit on the Left side for the best views. ONT typically departs westbound (Runway 26L/R) or eastbound (Runway 08L/R). Left seats capture the San Gabriel Mountains immediately north and the sprawling Los Angeles basin to the west during initial climb. Right seats face inland toward the desert and foothills with less dramatic relief. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains (north), Los Angeles sprawl extending west to the Pacific, San Bernardino Valley (east), Chino Hills (southwest).

When landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approaching MDW from the west typically uses Runway 31L or 22L/R depending on winds. Right seats offer views of Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline, downtown Chicago's skyline, and the distinctive grid of the city's neighborhoods. Left seats face inland toward the industrial southwest side with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan (east), downtown Chicago skyline and Willis Tower, Chicago grid neighborhoods (Pilsen, Bridgeport), Midway's position on the southwest side.

The flight from Ontario International (ONT) to Chicago Midway International (MDW) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Mojave Desert (sparse, tan terrain with minimal landmarks), then transitions over Arizona and New Mexico with occasional mountain ranges visible to the north (Grand Canyon region remains too far north for typical routing). The flight then crosses the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma with flat, featureless plains. As the aircraft approaches the Mississippi River valley near Missouri/Illinois, terrain begins to show more vegetation and water features. The final approach into Chicago crosses the flat glaciated plains of Illinois with scattered lakes and the eventual emergence of Lake Michigan.