Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over New Mexico and west Texas, the left side also gives better views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Jemez Mountains near Albuquerque, and eventually the Sacramento Mountains before the descent into El Paso.
Flown ORD to BIF? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Chicago to El Paso is 1,233 miles (1,985 km), a flight of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
The flight tracks southwest over Illinois farmland, crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, then traverses the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas before entering Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Over New Mexico the route passes near Albuquerque with the Sandia Mountains visible, then crosses the Tularosa Basin and the Sacramento Mountains before descending into the El Paso valley.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
LEFTORD's most common departures head southwest or west on runways 10/28 or 9R/27L. A left-side seat gives you a clear view back over downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan as the aircraft banks south and west. You'll see the grid of the city and the lakefront clearly before heading inland.
Landing at BIF
LEFTBIF sits on the east side of El Paso, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast or east on runway 03/21 or 04/22. A left-side seat gives you the best view of the Franklin Mountains cutting through El Paso, the Rio Grande valley, and Ciudad Juárez spreading across the Mexican side of the border. The right side faces open desert with little of interest.
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 Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Biggs Aaf (BIF)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to El Paso. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over New Mexico and west Texas, the left side also gives better views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Jemez Mountains near Albuquerque, and eventually the Sacramento Mountains before the descent into El Paso.
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 departures head southwest or west on runways 10/28 or 9R/27L. A left-side seat gives you a clear view back over downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan as the aircraft banks south and west. You'll see the grid of the city and the lakefront clearly before heading inland. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago River corridor, O'Hare's own runway complex receding behind.
What can I see when landing at Biggs Aaf in El Paso?
When landing at Biggs Aaf (BIF), sit on the Left side for the best views. BIF sits on the east side of El Paso, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast or east on runway 03/21 or 04/22. A left-side seat gives you the best view of the Franklin Mountains cutting through El Paso, the Rio Grande valley, and Ciudad Juárez spreading across the Mexican side of the border. The right side faces open desert with little of interest. Notable sights include: Franklin Mountains State Park, Rio Grande / US-Mexico border, Ciudad Juárez urban sprawl, El Paso downtown.
How long is the flight from Chicago to El Paso?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Biggs Aaf (BIF) takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,233 miles (1,985 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Chicago to El Paso flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest over Illinois farmland, crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, then traverses the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas before entering Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Over New Mexico the route passes near Albuquerque with the Sandia Mountains visible, then crosses the Tularosa Basin and the Sacramento Mountains before descending into the El Paso valley.