The left side bookends the flight with two strong urban scenes rarely matched on a domestic route: the Chicago skyline and lakefront right after takeoff, and a low, close pass over the San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, and the bay on landing. The right side gets a fair share of Rockies and desert during cruise, but it can't match the left's dramatic departure and arrival sequences.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Great Plains of Iowa and Nebraska, then the southern Rocky Mountains near the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan ranges over Colorado and New Mexico, continues over the Rio Grande valley and the high plateau of northern Arizona (with the Grand Canyon's rim sometimes visible at a distance to the north), and finally crosses the Mojave Desert and the mountains east of San Diego before descending into the coastal basin.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
LEFTORD departures headed southwest typically turn left shortly after liftoff, banking toward the southwest heading for San Diego. That left turn puts downtown Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline into view on the inside of the turn, a skyline glimpse the right side never gets.
Landing at SAN
LEFTThe visual approach to runway 27 tracks in from the east over Mission Valley and then passes just north of downtown, putting San Diego's skyline and Balboa Park's greenery directly under the left-side windows before the bay opens up on touchdown.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to San Diego. The left side bookends the flight with two strong urban scenes rarely matched on a domestic route: the Chicago skyline and lakefront right after takeoff, and a low, close pass over the San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, and the bay on landing. The right side gets a fair share of Rockies and desert during cruise, but it can't match the left's dramatic departure and arrival sequences.
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 departures headed southwest typically turn left shortly after liftoff, banking toward the southwest heading for San Diego. That left turn puts downtown Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline into view on the inside of the turn, a skyline glimpse the right side never gets. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Willis Tower silhouette.
What can I see when landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld in San Diego?
When landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. The visual approach to runway 27 tracks in from the east over Mission Valley and then passes just north of downtown, putting San Diego's skyline and Balboa Park's greenery directly under the left-side windows before the bay opens up on touchdown. Notable sights include: Downtown San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, San Diego Bay, Coronado Bridge.
How long is the flight from Chicago to San Diego?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) takes 4h 15m.
What does the Chicago to San Diego flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Great Plains of Iowa and Nebraska, then the southern Rocky Mountains near the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan ranges over Colorado and New Mexico, continues over the Rio Grande valley and the high plateau of northern Arizona (with the Grand Canyon's rim sometimes visible at a distance to the north), and finally crosses the Mojave Desert and the mountains east of San Diego before descending into the coastal basin.