Chicago to Edinburgh flight path: ORD to EDI

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Edinburgh. While the right side wins the takeoff with Chicago's skyline, the left side offers a longer stretch of interest: a chance at glimpsing Labrador's coast and southern Greenland's ice-capped edge during cruise on clear days, followed by a genuinely dramatic final approach over Edinburgh with Arthur's Seat and the Castle in view.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing ORD, flights bound for Europe typically climb out and bank north-northeast, putting Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline on the right side of the aircraft for a few scenic minutes. This is a brief but genuinely striking urban view before the route turns toward Canada. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop skyscrapers), Lake Michigan shoreline, Navy Pier, O'Hare's surrounding grid suburbs.

When landing at Edinburgh (EDI), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the approach to EDI's runway 24, aircraft arriving from the northeast track down over the Firth of Forth before turning to align with the runway, putting Edinburgh's Old Town, Arthur's Seat, and Castle Rock on the left side of the cabin during the final turn. It's one of the more dramatic city approaches in the UK. Notable sights include: Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Castle and Old Town skyline, Firth of Forth estuary, North Sea coastline near East Lothian.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Edinburgh (EDI) takes about 7 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,701 miles (5,957 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Great Lakes basin (Lake Huron/Lake Erie), the forested Canadian Shield of Ontario and Quebec, the Labrador Sea coastline, and the open North Atlantic passing south of Greenland's ice sheet