About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Philadelphia International (PHL) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Philadelphia to Chicago. The left side wins at takeoff for the Philadelphia skyline and Delaware River, but the right side delivers the more dramatic payoff on arrival with the Chicago lakefront and Loop skyline. For the cruise portion heading northwest, the right side also faces generally south, giving slightly better views of the flat agricultural patchwork of Indiana and northern Illinois. Right side edges it overall.
What can I see during takeoff from Philadelphia International in Philadelphia?
During takeoff from Philadelphia International (PHL), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHL typically departs westbound on runways 27L/27R, so the left (south) side gives you a clear view back over the Delaware River, the Philadelphia skyline, and the Ben Franklin Bridge as you climb out. The right side faces north toward industrial New Jersey with less to see. Notable sights include: Delaware River, Philadelphia city skyline, Ben Franklin Bridge, South Philadelphia waterfront.
What can I see when landing at Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. ORD predominantly lands on eastbound runways (9L/9R/10L/10R), meaning the right (south) side looks toward downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan during the approach. You get a clear view of the lakefront, Grant Park, and the Loop skyline as you descend through roughly 5,000 to 2,000 feet. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park, Wrigley Field area (north side).
How long is the flight from Philadelphia to Chicago?
The flight from Philadelphia International (PHL) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Philadelphia to Chicago flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest across southern Pennsylvania, crossing the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, then over the flat agricultural plains of central Pennsylvania and Ohio. You pass north of Columbus, Ohio, then cross into Indiana over Fort Wayne before the final stretch across the flat corn and soybean grid of northern Indiana and Illinois. No significant terrain — this is genuinely flat midwestern farmland with a strong section-line grid pattern visible from cruise altitude, particularly striking in summer when field color contrasts are high.