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CUN → MDW
Which side of the plane to sit from Cancún International Airport (Cancun) to Chicago Midway International Airport (Chicago)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular departure over the Caribbean turquoise waters and the iconic Chicago skyline during the final approach into Midway.
Cancun Hotel Zone
Stunning views of the thin strip of white sand beaches and the turquoise Nichupté Lagoon during takeoff.
Isla Mujeres
A bird's-eye view of the vibrant blue reefs surrounding this popular island off the coast of Cancun.
Mississippi River Delta
Watch the mighty Mississippi branch out into the Gulf of Mexico with its distinct sediment plumes.
St. Louis Skyline
On clear days, look for the Gateway Arch as the flight path passes the Missouri-Illinois border.
Chicago Loop
Depending on the wind, the approach often provides a world-class view of the Willis Tower and downtown skyscrapers.
Lake Michigan Coast
See the industrial shoreline of Indiana and the southern tip of Lake Michigan before banking toward Midway.
The right side is the clear winner for the 'money shot' of the Chicago skyline. For the best experience, book a morning flight to have the sun behind you when viewing the Mississippi Delta. Be sure to look out the window immediately after takeoff to catch the gradient of the Caribbean blue water before reaching cruising altitude over the Gulf.
Yucatan Jungle
View the dense tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula as you climb away from the Mexican coast.
Atchafalaya Basin
Cross over the largest wetland and swamp in the United States upon entering Louisiana airspace.
The Ozarks
Glimpse the rolling green hills and deep valleys of the Ozark Plateau in southern Missouri.
Midwestern Grids
Observe the perfectly geometric agricultural patterns of central Illinois farmlands.
Midway Final Approach
See the residential density of Chicago's South Side as the plane descends rapidly into the urban airport.
Sit on the left if you prefer looking at the vastness of the Mississippi River valley. During winter months, this side experiences less direct sun glare during the northward flight, making for easier photography of the terrain below.
Distance: 2,309 km (1,435 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 5 min
Departure: CUN (21.036500930800003, -86.8770980835)
Arrival: MDW (41.785999, -87.752403)
Route Type: International
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