The right side captures San Diego's dramatic bay-and-skyline departure, occasional desert and mountain glimpses over the Southwest, and a lakefront Chicago arrival, giving it consistently more visual interest than the left side's flatter, less landmark-rich views.
Flight Path
The route crosses the high desert basins of southern Arizona and New Mexico, passing near the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains foothills, before flattening out over the Llano Estacado plains of the Texas Panhandle and the farmland of Kansas.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SAN
RIGHTDeparting SAN on Runway 27, eastbound flights bank back over the city after climbing out over the bay, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of downtown San Diego, Coronado Bridge, and Point Loma before the aircraft turns inland toward the mountains. The left side mostly catches a brief glimpse of Mission Bay and La Jolla's coastline before it's replaced by suburban rooftops.
Landing at ORD
RIGHTArriving from the southwest, aircraft landing on ORD's west-facing runways are often vectored north over Lake Michigan before turning onto final approach, putting the Chicago skyline and lakefront on the right side. The left side instead shows the flat grid of western suburbs with little to distinguish it.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Diego to Chicago. The right side captures San Diego's dramatic bay-and-skyline departure, occasional desert and mountain glimpses over the Southwest, and a lakefront Chicago arrival, giving it consistently more visual interest than the left side's flatter, less landmark-rich views.
What can I see during takeoff from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld in San Diego?
During takeoff from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing SAN on Runway 27, eastbound flights bank back over the city after climbing out over the bay, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of downtown San Diego, Coronado Bridge, and Point Loma before the aircraft turns inland toward the mountains. The left side mostly catches a brief glimpse of Mission Bay and La Jolla's coastline before it's replaced by suburban rooftops. Notable sights include: San Diego Bay, Coronado Bridge, Downtown San Diego skyline, Point Loma peninsula.
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. Arriving from the southwest, aircraft landing on ORD's west-facing runways are often vectored north over Lake Michigan before turning onto final approach, putting the Chicago skyline and lakefront on the right side. The left side instead shows the flat grid of western suburbs with little to distinguish it. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline, Willis Tower, Navy Pier area.
How long is the flight from San Diego to Chicago?
The flight from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 3h 55m.
What does the San Diego to Chicago flight path pass over?
The route crosses the high desert basins of southern Arizona and New Mexico, passing near the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains foothills, before flattening out over the Llano Estacado plains of the Texas Panhandle and the farmland of Kansas.