Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Reno to Chicago. While left seats win on departure with Sierra Nevada views, right seats dominate the landing experience with Lake Michigan and Chicago's iconic skyline. The landing views are more dramatic and memorable than the departure, making right the better overall choice for this route.

During takeoff from Reno Tahoe International (RNO), sit on the Left side for the best views. RNO typically departs eastbound (Runway 16L/R). Left seats face north initially, giving direct views of the Sierra Nevada's eastern escarpment and the Carson Range. Right seats look south toward lower terrain with less dramatic relief. Notable sights include: Carson Range (immediate north), Lake Tahoe (northeast, visible as a large blue basin), Washoe Lake (north-northwest, smaller alpine lake), Virginia Range foothills (south).

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. ORD typically lands westbound (Runways 28L/R). Right seats face north during final approach, offering views of Lake Michigan's shoreline, downtown Chicago's skyline, and the city's north-side neighborhoods. Left seats see the industrial areas and suburbs west of the airport. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan (dominant, eastern boundary), Chicago downtown skyline (south-southwest), North Shore suburbs and beaches (north), Des Plaines River valley (west).

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

The flight path crosses the Great Basin (Nevada/Utah border region with sparse terrain), then transitions over the Colorado Plateau and Rocky Mountain foothills. Notable midpoint features include the Wasatch Range (Utah, visible from altitude on the left side of the route), the Great Salt Lake (visible as a large inland water body), and the transition into the Great Plains over Wyoming and Nebraska. The flight typically cruises at 35,000-37,000 feet where the curvature of terrain becomes less distinct, but the Wasatch Range and surrounding basin-and-range topography create visible relief patterns. As the flight approaches Illinois, the terrain flattens dramatically into the agricultural plains of the Midwest.