The right side strings together the Rocky Mountain front range, the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake basin during cruise, then delivers the San Gabriel Mountains and LA skyline on descent, giving it more sustained terrain drama than the left, which only shines briefly during the Chicago takeoff.
Flight Path
Colorado's Front Range and Rocky Mountains, the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake basin in Utah, and the high desert of Nevada's Great Basin before descending into the Mojave-fringed Los Angeles basin
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
LEFTDepartures off ORD's east-west runways typically bank south toward the southwest airway, putting the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline right outside the left windows during the initial climb. The right side just gets flat suburban sprawl fading into farmland.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn the descent into LAX's typical west-flow arrival, the flight path crosses the LA basin from the east, and the right side faces north toward the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown LA skyline. The left side mostly overlooks flatter South Bay suburbs before the ocean.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Los Angeles. The right side strings together the Rocky Mountain front range, the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake basin during cruise, then delivers the San Gabriel Mountains and LA skyline on descent, giving it more sustained terrain drama than the left, which only shines briefly during the Chicago takeoff.
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. Departures off ORD's east-west runways typically bank south toward the southwest airway, putting the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline right outside the left windows during the initial climb. The right side just gets flat suburban sprawl fading into farmland. Notable sights include: Willis Tower and the downtown skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, O'Hare's surrounding grid suburbs.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into LAX's typical west-flow arrival, the flight path crosses the LA basin from the east, and the right side faces north toward the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown LA skyline. The left side mostly overlooks flatter South Bay suburbs before the ocean. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Verdugo Mountains, Pasadena's grid stretching toward the foothills.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 4h 15m.
What does the Chicago to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Colorado's Front Range and Rocky Mountains, the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake basin in Utah, and the high desert of Nevada's Great Basin before descending into the Mojave-fringed Los Angeles basin