Toronto to Chicago flight pathYYZORD

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time1h 50m
Distance435
Heading257° → 252°
Best side
Left
★ 2.5 left·★ 1.5 right

The left side wins on both ends of this short flight, pairing the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario at departure with the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline at arrival, while the right side offers only flat, featureless farmland for most of the route.

Takeoff · YYZLEFTCN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands
Landing · ORDLEFTChicago skyline (Willis Tower, Navy Pier), Lake Michigan shoreline

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Southern Ontario farmland, the western basin of Lake Erie near Detroit and Windsor, and the flat agricultural plains of southern Michigan before the descent toward Lake Michigan

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Toronto (left side) — CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Port Lands/harbor area

Takeoff from YYZ

LEFT

Departures from Pearson toward the southwest typically climb out with the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario shoreline visible off the left side as the aircraft turns onto its westbound heading. The right side shows mostly the flat farmland of the Ontario interior with no comparable landmark.

CN Tower and downtown Toronto skylineLake Ontario shorelineToronto IslandsPort Lands/harbor area
Aerial window seat view during landing at Chicago (left side) — Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Navy Pier), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago's South Side grid, Midway Airport in the distance

Landing at ORD

LEFT

Arrivals into O'Hare from the east typically cross Lake Michigan before turning onto final approach, putting the Chicago skyline and lakefront on the left side of the aircraft. The right side during this phase shows only open lake water or flat Illinois suburbs with no skyline view.

Chicago skyline (Willis TowerNavy Pier)Lake Michigan shorelineChicago's South Side grid

Will your flight be in sunlight?

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 Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Chicago. The left side wins on both ends of this short flight, pairing the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario at departure with the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline at arrival, while the right side offers only flat, featureless farmland for most of the route.

What can I see during takeoff from Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?

During takeoff from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departures from Pearson toward the southwest typically climb out with the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario shoreline visible off the left side as the aircraft turns onto its westbound heading. The right side shows mostly the flat farmland of the Ontario interior with no comparable landmark. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Port Lands/harbor area.

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. Arrivals into O'Hare from the east typically cross Lake Michigan before turning onto final approach, putting the Chicago skyline and lakefront on the left side of the aircraft. The right side during this phase shows only open lake water or flat Illinois suburbs with no skyline view. Notable sights include: Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Navy Pier), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago's South Side grid, Midway Airport in the distance.

How long is the flight from Toronto to Chicago?

The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 1h50m.

What does the Toronto to Chicago flight path pass over?

Southern Ontario farmland, the western basin of Lake Erie near Detroit and Windsor, and the flat agricultural plains of southern Michigan before the descent toward Lake Michigan