Warsaw to Chicago is 4,672 miles (7,519 km), a flight of about 9 hours 30 minutes.
Left side wins both the departure over Warsaw and the arrival over the Chicago lakefront. During the transatlantic cruise at 35,000 feet the views are largely ocean and cloud, but the left side also gives slightly better angles over southern Greenland's ice sheet and the Canadian coastline as the great circle route arcs north.
Flight Path
The great circle route from Warsaw to Chicago arcs northward over the Baltic Sea, southern Scandinavia or Denmark, then across the North Atlantic passing south of Iceland and over southern Greenland's ice cap, then over Labrador and Quebec in Canada, the Great Lakes region of Ontario, and finally Lake Michigan before descending into Chicago. Greenland's coastal glaciers and the St. Lawrence River valley are the most visually distinctive features at cruise altitude on clear days.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from WAW
LEFTWarsaw Chopin Airport typically departs westbound on runway 29, so the left (south) side gives you a view back over central Warsaw as you climb out. You can see the Vistula River snaking through the city and the Old Town area before the aircraft turns northwest toward the Atlantic.
Landing at ORD
LEFTO'Hare predominantly uses westbound runway configurations (runways 27L/27R/28) for arrivals from the east, meaning the aircraft approaches from the east over Lake Michigan and the Chicago lakefront. The left (south) side gives you the iconic Chicago skyline along the lakefront, Grant Park, and the full sweep of the downtown loop before the aircraft tracks inland to O'Hare.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Okecie (WAW) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Warsaw to Chicago. Left side wins both the departure over Warsaw and the arrival over the Chicago lakefront. During the transatlantic cruise at 35,000 feet the views are largely ocean and cloud, but the left side also gives slightly better angles over southern Greenland's ice sheet and the Canadian coastline as the great circle route arcs north.
What can I see during takeoff from Okecie in Warsaw?
During takeoff from Okecie (WAW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Warsaw Chopin Airport typically departs westbound on runway 29, so the left (south) side gives you a view back over central Warsaw as you climb out. You can see the Vistula River snaking through the city and the Old Town area before the aircraft turns northwest toward the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Vistula River bend through Warsaw, Palace of Culture and Science tower visible in the city center, Warsaw Old Town district, Praga district on the east bank of the Vistula.
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 predominantly uses westbound runway configurations (runways 27L/27R/28) for arrivals from the east, meaning the aircraft approaches from the east over Lake Michigan and the Chicago lakefront. The left (south) side gives you the iconic Chicago skyline along the lakefront, Grant Park, and the full sweep of the downtown loop before the aircraft tracks inland to O'Hare. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown Loop skyline along Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park and Museum Campus, Midway Airport visible further south, the grid of Chicago's street layout extending west toward O'Hare.
How long is the flight from Warsaw to Chicago?
The flight from Okecie (WAW) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes about 9 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,672 miles (7,519 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Warsaw to Chicago flight path pass over?
The great circle route from Warsaw to Chicago arcs northward over the Baltic Sea, southern Scandinavia or Denmark, then across the North Atlantic passing south of Iceland and over southern Greenland's ice cap, then over Labrador and Quebec in Canada, the Great Lakes region of Ontario, and finally Lake Michigan before descending into Chicago. Greenland's coastal glaciers and the St. Lawrence River valley are the most visually distinctive features at cruise altitude on clear days.