The right side wins overall because the great-circle route north of the British Isles carries the flight close to southern Greenland's ice cap and fjords and past the Labrador coast, a dramatic, ever-changing seascape that outweighs the brief Alpine glimpse and skyline view on the left.
Flight Path
Southern Greenland's ice cap and fjord coastline near Cape Farewell, the Labrador Sea, and the rugged Labrador coast leading toward Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield lakes before the descent over the Great Lakes region.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ZRH
LEFTDeparting Zurich to the west on runway 28, the left side faces south, giving passengers a brief but striking view of Lake Zurich, the city, and the Alpine foothills rising toward peaks like Säntis and the Glarus Alps before the aircraft turns north for the Atlantic crossing.
Landing at ORD
LEFTOn the typical westbound approach into O'Hare, arriving traffic is often vectored in from the east over Lake Michigan before turning onto final for the east-west runways, putting the Chicago skyline and lakefront on the left side of the aircraft.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Zurich (ZRH) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to Chicago. The right side wins overall because the great-circle route north of the British Isles carries the flight close to southern Greenland's ice cap and fjords and past the Labrador coast, a dramatic, ever-changing seascape that outweighs the brief Alpine glimpse and skyline view on the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Zurich in Zurich?
During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Zurich to the west on runway 28, the left side faces south, giving passengers a brief but striking view of Lake Zurich, the city, and the Alpine foothills rising toward peaks like Säntis and the Glarus Alps before the aircraft turns north for the Atlantic crossing. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, Zurich city center, Albis ridge, distant Glarus Alps.
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. On the typical westbound approach into O'Hare, arriving traffic is often vectored in from the east over Lake Michigan before turning onto final for the east-west runways, putting the Chicago skyline and lakefront on the left side of the aircraft. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Navy Pier), Chicago's North Side neighborhoods.
How long is the flight from Zurich to Chicago?
The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 9h 45m.
What does the Zurich to Chicago flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's ice cap and fjord coastline near Cape Farewell, the Labrador Sea, and the rugged Labrador coast leading toward Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield lakes before the descent over the Great Lakes region.