About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Munich (MUC)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Munich. While the left seat wins at departure for the Chicago skyline, the right seat delivers the superior overall experience. The Alpine approach into Munich on the right side is one of the most spectacular arrival views in European aviation, and during the transatlantic cruise the right (south) side also offers better views of Greenland's ice sheet edge and the Canadian Maritime coastline on the great circle route.
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 eastbound departures use runways 10L/10R, heading east, which puts the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on the left (north) side. You get a clear view of the downtown Loop, the lakefront, and the southern end of the lake as the aircraft climbs and turns northeast. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Navy Pier, Grant Park and Museum Campus.
What can I see when landing at Munich in Munich?
When landing at Munich (MUC), sit on the Right side for the best views. MUC sits north of Munich and aircraft typically approach from the west or northwest on runway 08R/08L, heading east. This puts the Bavarian Alps on the right (south) side, with the entire Alpine front visible as a dramatic wall along the horizon during descent. The city of Munich also appears to the right and ahead. Notable sights include: Bavarian Alps (Zugspitze massif), Munich city center, Ammersee and Starnberger See lakes, Isar River valley.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Munich?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Munich (MUC) takes Approximately 9 to 9.5 hours.
What does the Chicago to Munich flight path pass over?
The great circle route from ORD to MUC tracks northeast over the Great Lakes, then over southern Quebec and Labrador, crosses the North Atlantic near the southern tip of Greenland, passes over Iceland or just south of it, then crosses Scotland and northern Germany before descending into Bavaria. Key features include the St. Lawrence River and Gulf, the Labrador coast, Greenland's southern ice cap and fjords, the North Atlantic ocean, the Scottish Highlands, and the North German Plain before the Bavarian Alps come into view on descent.