Left side wins at both ends of the flight. The Tampa Bay waterfront departure and the Chicago lakefront approach are both on the left, making it the clear choice for the full journey.
Flown SPG to ORD? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
St. Petersburg to Chicago is 1,026 miles (1,651 km), a flight of about 2 hours 40 minutes.
The flight tracks north-northeast over central Florida, crossing into Georgia and Tennessee, then through Kentucky and Indiana before reaching Illinois. Notable features include the Tennessee River valley and its reservoirs visible in Tennessee, the Ohio River marking the Kentucky-Indiana border, and the flat agricultural patchwork of central Indiana giving way to the Chicago metropolitan sprawl. The Appalachian foothills may be visible to the east in the distance over Georgia and Tennessee.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SPG
LEFTAlbert Whitted sits on the Tampa Bay waterfront, and departures heading north or northeast put Tampa Bay and the St. Petersburg peninsula on the left side. You get a clear view of the downtown St. Pete waterfront, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the south, and the full sweep of Tampa Bay opening up to the right becomes less interesting than the urban waterfront detail on the left.
Landing at ORD
LEFTO'Hare arrivals from the south typically use runways oriented east-west or northwest-southeast. Approaching from the south on a northbound track, the left side gives you the Chicago lakefront, Grant Park, the Loop skyline, and Lake Michigan. The right side shows suburban sprawl with far less visual interest.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Albert Whitted (SPG) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from St. Petersburg to Chicago. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. The Tampa Bay waterfront departure and the Chicago lakefront approach are both on the left, making it the clear choice for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Albert Whitted in St. Petersburg?
During takeoff from Albert Whitted (SPG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Albert Whitted sits on the Tampa Bay waterfront, and departures heading north or northeast put Tampa Bay and the St. Petersburg peninsula on the left side. You get a clear view of the downtown St. Pete waterfront, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the south, and the full sweep of Tampa Bay opening up to the right becomes less interesting than the urban waterfront detail on the left. Notable sights include: Sunshine Skyway Bridge spanning lower Tampa Bay, downtown St. Petersburg waterfront and pier, Tampa city skyline across the bay, Gandy Bridge connecting St. Pete to Tampa.
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 south typically use runways oriented east-west or northwest-southeast. Approaching from the south on a northbound track, the left side gives you the Chicago lakefront, Grant Park, the Loop skyline, and Lake Michigan. The right side shows suburban sprawl with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline with Willis Tower and surrounding skyscrapers, Lake Michigan shoreline and Grant Park, Navy Pier extending into the lake, Wrigley Field in the North Side neighborhoods.
How long is the flight from St. Petersburg to Chicago?
The flight from Albert Whitted (SPG) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,026 miles (1,651 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the St. Petersburg to Chicago flight path pass over?
The flight tracks north-northeast over central Florida, crossing into Georgia and Tennessee, then through Kentucky and Indiana before reaching Illinois. Notable features include the Tennessee River valley and its reservoirs visible in Tennessee, the Ohio River marking the Kentucky-Indiana border, and the flat agricultural patchwork of central Indiana giving way to the Chicago metropolitan sprawl. The Appalachian foothills may be visible to the east in the distance over Georgia and Tennessee.