About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Atlanta. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan panorama on departure, which is genuinely spectacular. The en-route views are relatively similar on both sides over Tennessee and northern Georgia, but the takeoff experience tips the balance to the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD's most common southbound departures (runways 10L/10C heading east then turning south) put the left side facing the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline. You get a clear view of the downtown Loop, Grant Park, and the lakefront as the aircraft banks south. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park/Museum Campus, Midway Airport to the south.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Atlanta's primary arrival runways from the north (8L/8R or 9L/9R, heading east) put the right side facing south over the city center and Hartsfield itself. On the more common ILS approaches to runways 26L/26R heading west, the right side looks north over downtown Atlanta's skyline during the final approach. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (visible to the northeast on clear days), I-285 perimeter highway, Chattahoochee River corridor.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Atlanta?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes.
What does the Chicago to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly southeast over central Indiana, crossing Louisville and the Ohio River valley, then over central Kentucky's rolling bluegrass farmland, the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, Chattanooga and the Tennessee River gorge, and finally the forested ridges of the Appalachian foothills in northern Georgia before descending into Atlanta. The terrain transitions noticeably from flat Midwest farmland to the folded ridges of the Ridge and Valley province around Chattanooga, which is the most visually interesting segment of the cruise phase.