Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Buffalo. The right side captures the dramatic Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on departure, and while the left side is better for the Buffalo approach, the Chicago lakefront view is the single most visually striking moment of this short flight. Right side wins overall by a narrow margin.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. ORD's most common eastbound departures use runways 10R/10L, heading east-southeast. The right side gives you a clear view of downtown Chicago's skyline and the lakefront as you climb out over the western suburbs. Lake Michigan fills the right window as you turn northeast. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago River corridor, suburban grid of Oak Park and Evanston.

When landing at Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. BUF typically uses runways 23 or 28 for westerly approaches, meaning the aircraft arrives from the east or northeast. The left side gives you the best view of Lake Erie and the Niagara River corridor as you descend. On clear days you can see the mist plume above Niagara Falls roughly 20 miles to the north. Notable sights include: Lake Erie eastern shoreline, Niagara River, Niagara Falls mist plume (on clear days), downtown Buffalo waterfront.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) takes Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight tracks roughly along the 42nd parallel across northern Indiana and Ohio. You pass over South Bend and the flat agricultural plains of Indiana, then cross into Ohio near Toledo. Lake Erie becomes visible to the right (north) side of the aircraft in the latter half of the flight, appearing as a broad gray-blue expanse. The terrain throughout is extremely flat with a patchwork of farmland and small towns.