About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Shannon (SNN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Shannon. While the takeoff offers good Lake Michigan views from the left, the landing provides more dramatic and distinctive scenery—the River Shannon estuary, Irish coastline, and Burren plateau are visually striking and unique to this route. Right-side seats capture the most memorable portion of the flight.
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. Left-side seats capture the climb-out over Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline receding to the south. The westbound departure path from ORD offers excellent views of the lake's eastern shoreline and the urban grid of downtown Chicago. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan (immediate left, extending to horizon), Chicago downtown skyline (south-southwest), Des Plaines River valley (below), Illinois prairie expanding westward.
What can I see when landing at Shannon in Shannon?
When landing at Shannon (SNN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer the best views during the final approach into Shannon. The descent path brings aircraft over the Atlantic coast and the River Shannon estuary, with the Irish coastline and Galway Bay visible to the right. This provides dramatic coastal scenery unavailable from the left. Notable sights include: River Shannon estuary (wide tidal inlet below), Irish Atlantic coastline (right side), Galway Bay (distant right), Burren limestone plateau (inland, left-center).
How long is the flight from Chicago to Shannon?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Shannon (SNN) takes Approximately 7 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Chicago to Shannon flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the North Atlantic, passing south of Greenland and Iceland. Mid-flight offers open ocean views with occasional cloud formations. As the aircraft approaches Ireland, the continental shelf becomes visible, and the Irish coastline emerges—first as a thin line, then revealing detail. The approach into Shannon brings views of Galway Bay, the Aran Islands (small, dark shapes off the coast), and the distinctive pale limestone terrain of the Burren inland plateau.