Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Chicago. While the right seat wins at takeoff for the Superstition Mountains and Salt River views, the left seat delivers the more dramatic payoff on landing with the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan approach. Midway through the flight the left side also faces south toward the Colorado Plateau and Four Corners region. On balance, left seat provides more sustained geographic interest across the full route.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX primarily departs east on runway 26R/26L or west on 8R/8L. On eastbound departures toward Chicago, the aircraft turns northeast, putting the South Mountain Park and the Phoenix metro grid on the right side. The right seat also captures the Salt River valley and the Superstition Mountains to the east as the plane climbs out. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park, Superstition Mountains, Salt River bed, Phoenix downtown grid.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving at O'Hare from the southwest, aircraft typically approach on runways 10L/10C or 28R/28L depending on wind. On the common southwest approach, the left side faces the Chicago lakefront and downtown skyline. Lake Michigan's western shoreline and the distinctive Chicago Loop skyline are clearly visible on the left as the plane descends over the western suburbs. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago Loop skyline, O'Hare suburban sprawl, Wrigleyville/North Side grid.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.

The flight tracks northeast over the Navajo Nation and Four Corners region of the Colorado Plateau, with the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado visible to the north. Over Kansas and Missouri the terrain flattens into the Great Plains and then the Midwest agricultural grid. The Missouri River crossing near Kansas City is visible as a wide, meandering brown ribbon. Northern Illinois farmland dominates the final hour before Chicago.