Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Raleigh-durham. The left side delivers the standout moment of this flight — the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline on departure, which is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. The landing views on the right are pleasant but relatively low-key Piedmont terrain. If forced to pick one side for the whole flight, left wins on the strength of the Chicago departure alone.

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 roughly southeast. The left side gives you a clear view back over downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline as you climb out. You'll see the lakefront parks and the dense grid of the city spreading south. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Chicago River corridor.

When landing at Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Right side for the best views. RDU's primary arrival from the northwest typically uses runway 23L/23R or approaches from the north, putting you on a southwesterly final. The right side gives views over the Research Triangle urban area, Jordan Lake, and the broader Piedmont landscape. Left side faces mostly open pine forest with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Jordan Lake reservoir, Research Triangle Park campus clusters, Downtown Raleigh skyline, Falls Lake reservoir to the north.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Raleigh Durham International (RDU) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight tracks southeast across Indiana's flat agricultural grid, then over the rolling terrain of central Ohio including the Columbus metro area visible below, before crossing into West Virginia's Appalachian ridges — the Allegheny Front and Ridge and Valley province are the most visually dramatic portion of the flight, with parallel forested ridgelines clearly visible from cruising altitude. The flight then descends over the Virginia Piedmont before entering North Carolina.