About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to North Island Nas (NZY)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to San Diego. While the left seat wins at departure with Chicago's iconic skyline, the right seat delivers the more sustained and spectacular scenery — the Mojave Desert, the approach over San Diego Bay, Coronado, and the Pacific. The landing sequence on the right is one of the best urban water approaches in the continental US.
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. O'Hare's dominant departure runways (9L/9R eastbound or 10L/10R) send westbound flights turning south over the city. A left seat gives you downtown Chicago's skyline, the lakefront, and Grant Park as the aircraft banks southwest. Right seats face suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline with Willis Tower, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Chicago River grid.
What can I see when landing at North Island Nas in San Diego?
When landing at North Island Nas (NZY), sit on the Right side for the best views. NZY sits on the north end of San Diego Bay, and most approaches come from the northeast or east. A right seat gives you San Diego Bay, the downtown skyline, Coronado Island, and the Pacific Ocean as you descend. Left seats face inland hills and suburban East San Diego with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and the Silver Strand, downtown San Diego skyline, Point Loma peninsula.
How long is the flight from Chicago to San Diego?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to North Island Nas (NZY) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Chicago to San Diego flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Mississippi River near the Quad Cities, then the flat Iowa and Nebraska plains give way to the Rocky Mountains over Colorado — look for the Front Range and possibly Pikes Peak to the south. The flight then crosses the high desert of Utah and Nevada before descending over the Mojave Desert in California. The San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains are visible before the descent into San Diego, with the Salton Sea sometimes visible to the southeast on clear days.