RNOMDW

Which side of the plane from Reno to Chicago

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Reno Tahoe International (RNO) to Chicago Midway International (MDW)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Reno to Chicago. The takeoff scenery from Reno is more visually dramatic and distinctive—the Sierra Nevada's sharp relief and elevation changes are far more striking than the relatively flat approach into Chicago. Right-side seats capture the most memorable portion of this flight.

What can I see during takeoff from Reno Tahoe International in Reno?

During takeoff from Reno Tahoe International (RNO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer immediate views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range as the aircraft climbs eastward from Reno. The peaks and ridgelines are dramatic and clearly visible during the initial climb phase. Notable sights include: Sierra Nevada range, Lake Tahoe (to the south), Washoe Valley, Carson Range foothills.

What can I see when landing at Chicago Midway International in Chicago?

When landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views of Chicago's downtown skyline and Lake Michigan during the final approach into Midway. The contrast between the urban grid and the vast blue water is striking and unmistakable. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline, Midway Airport grounds, Illinois prairie grid pattern.

How long is the flight from Reno to Chicago?

The flight from Reno Tahoe International (RNO) to Chicago Midway International (MDW) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

What does the Reno to Chicago flight path pass over?

The flight path crosses the Great Basin and then the Rocky Mountain region. Notable features include the Wasatch Range near Salt Lake City (visible to the north on the left side around 2 hours into flight), the Colorado Plateau, and eventually the transition into the Great Plains. The flight typically passes south of the Uinta Mountains and north of the San Rafael Swell. Around the 2.5-hour mark, the terrain transitions from high desert and mountains to the flatter Great Plains of Wyoming and Nebraska. The Laramie Range and Medicine Bow Mountains may be visible to the north. As the flight approaches Chicago, the landscape becomes increasingly flat and agricultural, with the Mississippi River valley visible in the final hour of flight.