Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Chicago. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over New Mexico and the Colorado Plateau you also get better views of the Zuni Mountains and the high desert mesas of eastern New Mexico on the left, and the flat Illinois farmland checkerboard on descent is more interesting than the right side's view of suburban sprawl south of the city.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHX typically departs east on runway 26R/26L or northeast on 8/8R, then turns northeast toward Chicago. Left side gives you the best view of the South Mountain Park massif and the dense Phoenix metro grid spreading across the Salt River Valley. You also catch the Superstition Mountains rising abruptly from the desert floor to the east. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park (largest municipal park in the US, clearly visible as a dark rocky ridge south of the city), Superstition Mountains (jagged volcanic range 30 miles east), Salt River bed cutting through the valley floor, Phoenix downtown skyline receding behind you.

When landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Midway typically lands from the east or southeast on runway 31C/31L, meaning the approach comes in over the South Side of Chicago from the southeast. Left side seats face north and northwest, giving a clear view of the Chicago downtown skyline, Lake Michigan's shoreline, and Grant Park as you descend over the city grid. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock visible), Lake Michigan shoreline and lakefront parks, the dense South Side street grid, Midway Airport runway layout visible just before touchdown.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Chicago Midway International (MDW) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes.

The route crosses the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, the high desert of western New Mexico near Gallup and the Zuni Plateau, Albuquerque and the Rio Grande valley visible to the south, the Llano Estacado flatlands of eastern New Mexico and west Texas, then the Oklahoma and Kansas panhandle grasslands, transitioning to the flat agricultural patchwork of Missouri and Illinois farmland as you descend toward Chicago