About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Bradley International (BDL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Windsor Locks. The right side delivers the dramatic Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on departure, which is the single most visually striking moment of this flight. The landing views at BDL are more subtle regardless of side, so the takeoff spectacle tips the balance to the right seat for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. ORD departures heading east typically use runways 10R/10L or 9R/9L, sending the aircraft over the city. The right side gives you a clear look south toward downtown Chicago's skyline, the lakefront, and the southern shore of Lake Michigan as you climb out eastward. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Chicago River grid.
What can I see when landing at Bradley International in Windsor Locks?
When landing at Bradley International (BDL), sit on the Left side for the best views. BDL sits just west of the Connecticut River, and aircraft typically approach on runway 06 or 33, often from the southwest. The left side tracks the Connecticut River valley northward and gives views of the Pioneer Valley, the Metacomet Ridge trap rock ridgeline, and the broader Connecticut River as you descend. Notable sights include: Connecticut River, Metacomet Ridge (trap rock ridgeline), Hartford skyline to the south, Holyoke Range.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Windsor Locks?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Bradley International (BDL) takes Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes.
What does the Chicago to Windsor Locks flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly due east across northern Indiana and Ohio, passing near South Bend and Toledo. You cross Lake Erie's western basin near Cleveland or slightly south of it depending on routing. Over Pennsylvania the terrain rises into the Allegheny Plateau, with rolling forested hills visible below. The Pocono Mountains appear as a broad elevated plateau before the descent into the Connecticut River valley. The Hudson River valley may be briefly visible on the right side before turning northeast toward BDL.