Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Ottawa. The right side delivers the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on departure, which is the single most dramatic visual moment of this flight. En route, the right side also faces generally south toward Lake Erie and Lake Ontario as the flight tracks northeast, offering periodic glimpses of the Great Lakes. The Ottawa arrival views are good on the left but less dramatic than the Chicago departure.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. ORD's most common eastbound departures use runways 10R/10L or 9R/9L, heading roughly east-northeast toward downtown Chicago. The right side gives you a clear view of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan's shoreline, and the lakefront. Left side faces northwest toward suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago River corridor, Grant Park and Museum Campus.

When landing at Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW), sit on the Left side for the best views. YOW typically uses runway 25 for westerly arrivals or runway 07 for easterly approaches. On the common runway 07 approach heading east, the left side looks north toward the Ottawa River and Gatineau, Quebec. On runway 25 approach from the east, left side gives views over the Ottawa River valley and the Parliament Hill area as you descend. Either way, left side captures the Ottawa River and the city core. Notable sights include: Ottawa River, Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Hills across the river in Quebec, Rideau River confluence.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight tracks northeast over southern Ontario, crossing Lake Erie's northern shore near the Ontario shoreline, then over the agricultural flatlands of southwestern Ontario around London and Kitchener-Waterloo, before crossing Lake Ontario's north shore near Kingston and then following the St. Lawrence-Ottawa River corridor into YOW. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are the dominant geographic features at cruise altitude, visible as enormous dark water bodies to the south and southeast.