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BRL → ORD
Which side of the plane to sit from Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (Burlington) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides offer views of the Mississippi River and Illinois prairies, the right side is significantly better for catching glimpses of the iconic Chicago skyline and the Lake Michigan shoreline during the final approach into O'Hare.
Search flights from BRL to ORD
Great River Bridge
A stunning view of the asymmetric cable-stayed bridge crossing the Mississippi at Burlington immediately after takeoff.
Chicago Skyline
The world-famous skyline, including the Willis Tower, typically visible during the southern approach pattern.
Lake Michigan
The vast, sea-like horizon of the Great Lake as the plane turns for its final alignment with the ORD runways.
Suburban Landmarks
Potential views of the Joliet area industrial hubs and the sprawl of the southern Chicago metro area.
The right side is the premier choice for photography. To see the Chicago skyline, keep your eyes peeled during the last 15 minutes of the flight. If the aircraft loops over the lake for a western landing, you will have a front-row seat to the city's architectural beauty. Early morning flights on this side offer a spectacular sunrise over the lake.
Book Hotels in ChicagoUpper Mississippi
Bird's-eye view of the river's winding channels and islands north of Burlington.
Illinois Heartland
Vast, geometric patterns of corn and soybean fields that define the Midwest landscape.
Fox River Valley
The scenic transition from rural farmland to the bustling western suburbs of Chicago.
Choose this side if you are flying during a summer sunset to avoid the direct glare of the sun. It offers a more peaceful, pastoral view of the Illinois countryside and the smaller river systems leading into the Chicago basin.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 300 km (186 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 30 min
Departure: BRL (40.783199310302734, -91.12550354003906)
Arrival: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Route Type: Domestic
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