About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Vancouver International (YVR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Vancouver. Left side wins both ends of the flight. The Chicago lakefront departure and the Coast Mountains arrival are the two most visually dramatic moments of this route, and both favor the left. During cruise the left side also faces generally south toward the Rockies as the flight arcs northwest, giving occasional views of peaks in Montana and Idaho.
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 heading west or northwest on runways 10L/10C put the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan to the left (south). You get a clear view of the downtown Loop, Grant Park, and the lakefront stretching south. Right side faces suburban sprawl with nothing distinctive. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park/Museum Campus, Midway Airport in the distance to the south.
What can I see when landing at Vancouver International in Vancouver?
When landing at Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. YVR's primary landing approach on runway 26L comes in from the east over the Fraser River delta, putting the North Shore mountains — Grouse, Seymour, and the full Coast Range — directly on the left (north) side. You also see downtown Vancouver and Burrard Inlet clearly. Right side faces the flat farmland of the Fraser delta and the Strait of Georgia. Notable sights include: Coast Mountains/North Shore peaks (Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour), downtown Vancouver and Burrard Inlet, Fraser River delta farmland patchwork, Strait of Georgia.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Vancouver?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Vancouver International (YVR) takes Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Chicago to Vancouver flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over Wisconsin and Minnesota, then crosses the northern Rockies over Montana and Idaho. Notable features include the Missouri River headwaters region, Glacier National Park's peaks visible to the north, the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges in eastern British Columbia, and the broad Columbia River valley before descending into the Lower Mainland. The terrain transitions dramatically from flat Great Plains to rugged mountain terrain roughly two-thirds into the flight.