Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Memphis. While left side wins at takeoff for the Chicago skyline, the right side delivers the more dramatic and sustained views: you get a partial look at the southern Chicago suburbs and then the Mississippi River corridor on descent, culminating in the wide river and bridge on approach into Memphis. The Mississippi is the visual highlight of this route.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. O'Hare's most common departure runways (9L/9R heading east, or 10L/10R) swing the aircraft southward toward the city. A left-side seat gives you the Chicago skyline to the southeast, including the Loop and lakefront, as the plane climbs and turns south toward Memphis. Right side faces northwest toward suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park/Museum Campus, Midway Airport (further south).

When landing at Memphis International (MEM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Memphis International typically uses runways 18L/18R or 36L/36R aligned north-south. On a southbound approach from Chicago, aircraft often land heading south on 18L/18R, putting the Mississippi River and downtown Memphis on the right side. The river is the dominant visual feature on approach, with the distinctive curve of the Mississippi and the Hernando de Soto Bridge clearly visible. Notable sights include: Mississippi River and its meanders, downtown Memphis skyline, Hernando de Soto Bridge (I-40 bridge), Tom Lee Park riverfront.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Memphis International (MEM) takes Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

The route crosses central Illinois farmland (flat agricultural grid, visible field patterns), then enters western Kentucky and Tennessee. The Ohio River crossing near Paducah, Kentucky is visible roughly mid-flight as a wide dark river cutting east-west. Southern Illinois and western Kentucky show forested ridges of the Shawnee Hills. The Tennessee River may also be visible further south before the Mississippi approach.