Chicago to Zurich is 4,431 miles (7,131 km), a flight of about 9 hours 15 minutes.
The Alpine arrival view on the right seat is the single most dramatic visual event of the flight — a full panorama of the Swiss Alps on descent is hard to beat. The Chicago departure on the left is excellent but shorter-lived. If you can only pick one side for the whole flight, right gives you the better payoff at landing.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northeast from Chicago across the Great Lakes (Lake Huron and Lake Erie visible early on), then over southern Ontario and Quebec, out over the North Atlantic near Newfoundland, across the Atlantic at high latitude, landfall over Ireland or southern England, then across the English Channel, over Belgium or the Netherlands, and into Germany before descending into Switzerland. The Greenland ice sheet may be visible on the northern horizon at cruise altitude. The Rhine valley is visible on descent into Zurich.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
LEFTO'Hare's primary departure runways (9L/9R eastbound or 10L/10R) send the aircraft climbing over the northern Chicago suburbs. A left/south-facing seat gives you the Chicago skyline on the lakefront, the full sweep of Lake Michigan, and Grant Park. Right seats look northwest into flat suburban sprawl.
Landing at ZRH
RIGHTZurich Airport's primary arrival runway is 14 (heading roughly southeast), meaning the aircraft approaches from the northwest over the Swiss Mittelland. Right/west-facing seats get the Alps panorama — the Bernese Oberland and the Glarus Alps — spread across the southern horizon as you descend. Left seats look northeast toward Germany and the Bodensee.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Zurich (ZRH)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Zurich. The Alpine arrival view on the right seat is the single most dramatic visual event of the flight — a full panorama of the Swiss Alps on descent is hard to beat. The Chicago departure on the left is excellent but shorter-lived. If you can only pick one side for the whole flight, right gives you the better payoff at landing.
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. O'Hare's primary departure runways (9L/9R eastbound or 10L/10R) send the aircraft climbing over the northern Chicago suburbs. A left/south-facing seat gives you the Chicago skyline on the lakefront, the full sweep of Lake Michigan, and Grant Park. Right seats look northwest into flat suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Navy Pier, Midway Airport in the far south.
What can I see when landing at Zurich in Zurich?
When landing at Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Right side for the best views. Zurich Airport's primary arrival runway is 14 (heading roughly southeast), meaning the aircraft approaches from the northwest over the Swiss Mittelland. Right/west-facing seats get the Alps panorama — the Bernese Oberland and the Glarus Alps — spread across the southern horizon as you descend. Left seats look northeast toward Germany and the Bodensee. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, the Swiss Alps (Glarus Alps and Bernese Oberland peaks on the horizon), Bodensee (Lake Constance) to the northeast, Zurich city center and the Limmat river.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Zurich?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Zurich (ZRH) takes about 9 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,431 miles (7,131 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Chicago to Zurich flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast from Chicago across the Great Lakes (Lake Huron and Lake Erie visible early on), then over southern Ontario and Quebec, out over the North Atlantic near Newfoundland, across the Atlantic at high latitude, landfall over Ireland or southern England, then across the English Channel, over Belgium or the Netherlands, and into Germany before descending into Switzerland. The Greenland ice sheet may be visible on the northern horizon at cruise altitude. The Rhine valley is visible on descent into Zurich.