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BWI → ORD
Which side of the plane to sit from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (Baltimore) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is preferred primarily for the approach into Chicago. As flights often vector over Lake Michigan before turning west for landing, this side provides a breathtaking panorama of the Chicago skyline and the Navy Pier.
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Pennsylvania Ridges
Dramatic, linear mountain ridges of the Appalachian Fold-and-Thrust Belt.
Pittsburgh Metro
If the flight path stays north, you can spot the confluence of the three rivers in the Steel City.
Lake Erie Shoreline
Distant views of the Great Lakes horizon and the industrial ports of Northern Ohio.
Chicago Skyline
Iconic views of Willis Tower, 875 North Michigan Avenue, and the lakefront during the standard arrival.
Navy Pier
A clear view of the historic pier and the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan just before final descent.
Book a seat on the right and hope for an arrival from the east. Afternoon flights are ideal as the sun illuminates the Chicago skyline from the west, making for perfect photography. Keep your window shade open as you cross the Pennsylvania/Ohio border for the best mountain textures.
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Shenandoah Mountains
Rolling green peaks and valleys of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains visible shortly after takeoff.
Ohio River Valley
The winding path of the Ohio River and the transition from rugged hills to flat Midwestern plains.
Midwestern Farm Grids
Perfectly rectangular patches of agriculture across Indiana and Ohio, creating a green and gold quilt.
Suburban Chicago
Dense residential grids and sprawling shopping complexes as you descend into the O'Hare traffic pattern.
The left side is best during morning flights to avoid the harsh direct glare of the sun. It offers a superior perspective of the deep Appalachian folds in West Virginia and the heavy industrial landscape of the Ohio Valley.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 998 km (620 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 40 min
Departure: BWI (39.1754, -76.668297)
Arrival: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Route Type: Domestic
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