About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Vancouver International (YVR) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vancouver to Chicago. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Rockies and northern Great Plains, the left side also faces slightly south, giving better angles on the mountain ranges below. It is the clear choice for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Vancouver International in Vancouver?
During takeoff from Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. YVR's primary departure runway is 26L, heading west then turning southeast toward Chicago. A left-side seat captures the Fraser River delta, downtown Vancouver, and the North Shore mountains as the aircraft banks eastward. The right side faces south toward the flat farmland of the Fraser Valley with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: North Shore Mountains (Grouse, Seymour, Cypress), downtown Vancouver skyline, Fraser River delta and its braided channels, Burrard Inlet.
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. Flights from YVR typically approach ORD from the northwest, landing on runways oriented roughly east-west (10L/10R or 28L/28R). On a northwest approach, the left side faces south toward downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan's shoreline, and the city grid. The right side looks north toward suburban sprawl with no comparable landmarks. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago River corridor, suburban grid of the North Shore.
How long is the flight from Vancouver to Chicago?
The flight from Vancouver International (YVR) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Vancouver to Chicago flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over the Canadian Rockies (including the Columbia and Rocky Mountain ranges near Banff and Jasper), then crosses the Alberta foothills, the Saskatchewan and Montana plains, and the flat agricultural expanse of the Dakotas and Minnesota before descending into Illinois. The Rockies are visible for a substantial portion of the early cruise, with the transition to the Great Plains happening roughly over the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.