Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Albany. The right side delivers the spectacular Chicago lakefront departure, and while the left side wins at landing, the right side also captures the southern Adirondack foothills and portions of the Mohawk Valley during cruise. The Chicago departure view is the single most dramatic moment of this short flight.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. ORD's primary eastbound departures (runways 10L/10R) head east-southeast, putting the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on the right side. You get a clear view of the downtown loop, the lakefront, and the southern end of the lake as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Chicago River corridor.

When landing at Albany International (ALB), sit on the Left side for the best views. ALB typically uses runway 01 for northbound arrivals, meaning the approach comes from the south over the Hudson River valley. The left side gives you the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains to the west, and the city of Albany itself on final approach. Notable sights include: Hudson River, Catskill Mountains (to the west), Albany city center, Adirondack foothills to the north.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Albany International (ALB) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight tracks roughly east-northeast across northern Indiana and Ohio, then over Pennsylvania and into New York. Notable features include Lake Erie visible to the north during the Ohio segment, the Allegheny Plateau of northern Pennsylvania below, the Finger Lakes region of central New York (Seneca and Cayuga Lakes visible as long narrow blue strips), and the Mohawk Valley corridor leading into Albany.