Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Harrisburg. The right side captures the dramatic Chicago lakefront and skyline on departure, and while it misses the best Susquehanna and Appalachian ridge views on arrival, the Chicago departure spectacle is the single most visually memorable moment of this short flight. The right side also tracks the southern shore of Lake Michigan briefly during initial climb.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. O'Hare's primary eastbound departures (runways 10L/10R) take you over the northern Chicago suburbs and then Lake Michigan comes into view on the right side. You get a clear look at the Chicago skyline receding to the south as you climb out eastward. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline to the south, Lake Michigan shoreline, northern Chicago suburbs grid pattern, O'Hare airport complex itself briefly visible below.

When landing at Harrisburg International (MDT), sit on the Left side for the best views. MDT's primary runway 13 approach brings aircraft in from the northwest, meaning the left side faces south toward the Susquehanna River and the distinctive ridge-and-valley topography of the Pennsylvania folded Appalachians. The parallel ridgelines of Blue Mountain and Second Mountain are clearly visible, and the Susquehanna's broad bend around Harrisburg is a striking feature. Notable sights include: Susquehanna River broad bend at Harrisburg, Blue Mountain ridge, Second Mountain ridge, Harrisburg city and State Capitol dome.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Harrisburg International (MDT) takes Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight crosses northern Indiana's flat agricultural plains, then moves over Ohio's Lake Erie shoreline region before entering Pennsylvania. The Allegheny Plateau in western Pennsylvania provides rolling forested terrain visible below, and the folded ridge-and-valley Appalachians — including Tuscarora Mountain and Blue Mountain — become prominent as you descend toward Harrisburg from the west.