MDW

Best window seat landing at Chicago Midway International

Which side of the plane?

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

LandingLEFT

Downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop skyscrapers), Lake Michigan shoreline in the distance

🛬 Landing at Chicago (MDW)

Best sideLeft
WhyLanding on runway 13C, the aircraft approaches from the northwest and flies southeast toward Midway. That puts downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan off to the left (northeast) side, offering a nice skyline view before the plane turns final over the city's south side neighborhoods.
Look forDowntown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop skyscrapers), Lake Michigan shoreline in the distance, Chicago's south side residential grid, occasional glimpse of the Museum Campus area
Left window seat view during landing at Chicago (MDW), Downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop skyscrapers), Lake Michigan shoreline in the distance, Chicago's south side residential grid, occasional glimpse of the Museum Campus areaLeft Side
ChicagoPhoto: Qiang Lai

Midway is a compact, single-terminal airport that's much smaller than O'Hare, making it a favorite for travelers who prefer faster security lines and shorter walks to gates. It's a historic airport (one of the busiest in the world before O'Hare's expansion) and remains a primary base for Southwest Airlines.

⛰️ Elevation620 ft
🛫 Runways4 (13L/31R, 04R/22L, 04L/22R, 13R/31L)
✈️ HubSouthwest Airlines
📍 NearbyORD 16 miGYY 21 miMGC 48 miSBN 74 miRFD 75 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW)?

When landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Landing on runway 13C, the aircraft approaches from the northwest and flies southeast toward Midway. That puts downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan off to the left (northeast) side, offering a nice skyline view before the plane turns final over the city's south side neighborhoods. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop skyscrapers), Lake Michigan shoreline in the distance, Chicago's south side residential grid, occasional glimpse of the Museum Campus area.

What can I see when arriving at Chicago?

Arriving at Chicago Midway International in Chicago, passengers on the Left side enjoy views of Downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop skyscrapers), Lake Michigan shoreline in the distance, Chicago's south side residential grid, occasional glimpse of the Museum Campus area. Landing on runway 13C, the aircraft approaches from the northwest and flies southeast toward Midway. That puts downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan off to the left (northeast) side, offering a nice skyline view before the plane turns final over the city's south side neighborhoods.

What factors affect the best window seat landing at Chicago Midway International?

The best window seat landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW) depends on several factors: the approach path and runway in use, geographic features around Chicago (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening arrivals often offer the best lighting.