The left side wins overall. The Chicago departure view of the Loop and Lake Michigan is one of the most dramatic urban departures in North America. Through the flight, the left side also tracks closer to the Andes as the route passes over Bolivia and northwest Argentina, where the eastern Andean foothills are visible in the distance. The landing view on the right is good but the Pampas are featureless flatlands for most of the approach.
Flight Path
The route tracks south over the Gulf of Mexico, then crosses Central America near the Yucatan Peninsula, continues over Colombia and Venezuela, crosses the Amazon Basin in Brazil — a vast unbroken green canopy — then passes over Bolivia and Paraguay before descending into the Argentine Pampas. The eastern slopes of the Andes are visible to the right (west) as the flight passes over Bolivia. The Amazon River and its tributaries are visible as silver ribbons cutting through the jungle canopy at cruising altitude.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
LEFTO'Hare's most common departure is east or southeast on runways 10/28 complex or northeast on 9R/27L. A left-side seat gives you the Chicago skyline to the south as you climb out over the suburbs. The Loop's dense cluster of skyscrapers and Lake Michigan's shoreline are clearly visible from the left side during the turn southward.
Landing at EZE
RIGHTEzeiza typically uses runways 11/29, with landings commonly from the west on runway 11, meaning the aircraft approaches from the west-southwest. A right-side seat gives views of the Rio de la Plata estuary and the Buenos Aires city skyline to the north. The broad brown expanse of the Plata and the dense urban grid of the city are the dominant features on approach.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Buenos Aires. The left side wins overall. The Chicago departure view of the Loop and Lake Michigan is one of the most dramatic urban departures in North America. Through the flight, the left side also tracks closer to the Andes as the route passes over Bolivia and northwest Argentina, where the eastern Andean foothills are visible in the distance. The landing view on the right is good but the Pampas are featureless flatlands for most of the approach.
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. O'Hare's most common departure is east or southeast on runways 10/28 complex or northeast on 9R/27L. A left-side seat gives you the Chicago skyline to the south as you climb out over the suburbs. The Loop's dense cluster of skyscrapers and Lake Michigan's shoreline are clearly visible from the left side during the turn southward. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Midway Airport (to the south), the grid of Chicago's street network.
What can I see when landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini in Buenos Aires?
When landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Ezeiza typically uses runways 11/29, with landings commonly from the west on runway 11, meaning the aircraft approaches from the west-southwest. A right-side seat gives views of the Rio de la Plata estuary and the Buenos Aires city skyline to the north. The broad brown expanse of the Plata and the dense urban grid of the city are the dominant features on approach. Notable sights include: Rio de la Plata estuary, Buenos Aires city grid, Dock Sud industrial port area, Pampas flatlands to the south.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Buenos Aires?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Chicago to Buenos Aires flight path pass over?
The route tracks south over the Gulf of Mexico, then crosses Central America near the Yucatan Peninsula, continues over Colombia and Venezuela, crosses the Amazon Basin in Brazil — a vast unbroken green canopy — then passes over Bolivia and Paraguay before descending into the Argentine Pampas. The eastern slopes of the Andes are visible to the right (west) as the flight passes over Bolivia. The Amazon River and its tributaries are visible as silver ribbons cutting through the jungle canopy at cruising altitude.