The right side wins because it captures both ends of the flight's best scenery: a fleeting but genuine glimpse of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan during the departure turn, and a much stronger payoff on arrival with the Rocky Mountain front range filling the horizon during the descent into Calgary. The left side, by contrast, only overlooks featureless prairie and farmland for the entire flight.
Flight Path
The cruise track crosses the flat farmland of Wisconsin and Minnesota, passes near Lake of the Woods and the Red River Valley along the Minnesota-North Dakota border, then continues over the wheat prairies of southern Saskatchewan before entering Alberta's rolling ranchland approaching Calgary.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
RIGHTORD departures toward Calgary typically roll west then bank right onto a north/northwest heading, briefly swinging the right side toward downtown Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline before the route settles over farmland. The left side only sees flat suburban grid patterns with no distinguishing features.
Landing at YYC
RIGHTYYC's typical arrival uses runway 17, meaning the aircraft descends from the north and turns onto a southbound final approach. On this heading, the Rocky Mountain front range west of Calgary — including the foothills near Cochrane and the peaks around Canmore — sits directly off the right side during descent.
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 Calgary International (YYC)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Calgary. The right side wins because it captures both ends of the flight's best scenery: a fleeting but genuine glimpse of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan during the departure turn, and a much stronger payoff on arrival with the Rocky Mountain front range filling the horizon during the descent into Calgary. The left side, by contrast, only overlooks featureless prairie and farmland for the entire flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. ORD departures toward Calgary typically roll west then bank right onto a north/northwest heading, briefly swinging the right side toward downtown Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline before the route settles over farmland. The left side only sees flat suburban grid patterns with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline (Willis Tower area), Lake Michigan shoreline, O'Hare's runway grid, western Chicago suburbs.
What can I see when landing at Calgary International in Calgary?
When landing at Calgary International (YYC), sit on the Right side for the best views. YYC's typical arrival uses runway 17, meaning the aircraft descends from the north and turns onto a southbound final approach. On this heading, the Rocky Mountain front range west of Calgary — including the foothills near Cochrane and the peaks around Canmore — sits directly off the right side during descent. Notable sights include: Rocky Mountain front range, foothills near Cochrane, Bow River valley, Calgary's western suburbs.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Calgary?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Calgary International (YYC) takes 3h 15m.
What does the Chicago to Calgary flight path pass over?
The cruise track crosses the flat farmland of Wisconsin and Minnesota, passes near Lake of the Woods and the Red River Valley along the Minnesota-North Dakota border, then continues over the wheat prairies of southern Saskatchewan before entering Alberta's rolling ranchland approaching Calgary.