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 wins overall. The San Diego Bay and Coronado Bridge departure view is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. Across the flight, the right side also tracks closer to the southern Rockies and Colorado Plateau terrain, including views of the San Bernardino Mountains, Mojave Desert, and the Colorado River canyon systems in Arizona. The Chicago arrival view on the left is good but the departure experience tips the balance.
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. SAN's primary departure runway 27 sends aircraft westward over San Diego Bay before turning north. The right side gives you a clear look back at downtown San Diego, the Coronado Bridge, and the bay itself during the initial climb and turn. 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 Left side for the best views. O'Hare arrivals from the west typically use runways oriented east-northeast. The left side gives views of the Chicago lakefront, Grant Park, and the downtown Loop skyline as the aircraft descends over the western suburbs toward the airport. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park, western suburban grid.
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 Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the San Diego to Chicago flight path pass over?
After departing San Diego, the route crosses the Mojave Desert and the Colorado River near Needles, then tracks over the Arizona high desert and the Painted Desert region. The route passes north of Flagstaff and the San Francisco Peaks volcanic field, then crosses the Rockies over southern Colorado or New Mexico depending on routing. The flat expanse of the Great Plains in Kansas and Missouri dominates the final third of the flight before descending into the Chicago metro area.