About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Orlando International (MCO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Orlando. The left side delivers the dramatic Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan departure, and during cruise over Kentucky and Tennessee offers views of the Cumberland Plateau and river valleys. On arrival the right side is better, but the takeoff experience on the left is the more memorable of the two moments, and for much of the southbound cruise the left side tracks closer to the Appalachian foothills visible on the eastern horizon.
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 southbound departures (runways 10L/10C heading east then turning south) put the left side facing the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline. You get a clear view of the downtown Loop, Grant Park, and the lakefront as the aircraft banks south. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Midway Airport to the south.
What can I see when landing at Orlando International in Orlando?
When landing at Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Right side for the best views. MCO's primary arrival runways from the north (18L/18R, heading south) place the right side facing west over the Orlando metro area, Walt Disney World's distinctive resort complex, and the chain of lakes that define central Florida's landscape. The left side sees mostly flat pine scrub and the St. Johns River basin. Notable sights include: Chain of lakes in Osceola and Orange counties, Walt Disney World resort complex, Orlando downtown skyline, Lake Tohopekaliga.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Orlando?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Orlando International (MCO) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Chicago to Orlando flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly south-southeast over Indiana farmland, then crosses Louisville and the Ohio River valley, continues over central Kentucky's Bluegrass region and the Cumberland Plateau, crosses the Tennessee River near Nashville, then passes over northern Alabama and Georgia before entering Florida over the Okefenokee Swamp region and crossing the flat pine flatwoods of central Florida toward Orlando.