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DEN → MDW
Which side of the plane to sit from Denver International Airport (Denver) to Chicago Midway International Airport (Chicago)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior lighting by avoiding the southern sun and provides a higher probability of seeing the iconic Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan during the descent into Midway.
Search flights from DEN to MDW
Platte River Valley
Watch the winding silver ribbons of the Platte River as you cross the Nebraska plains.
Omaha & Council Bluffs
Clear views of the Missouri River and the urban center of Omaha on the Nebraska-Iowa border.
Des Moines
Spot the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building while flying over the heart of Iowa.
Mississippi River
A major geographic milestone, look for the massive river separating Iowa and Illinois near the Quad Cities.
Chicago Skyline
On specific approach patterns, you get a breathtaking view of the Willis Tower and downtown Chicago over Lake Michigan.
Sit on the left (Port side) to avoid the direct glare of the sun on this West-to-East route. This side is especially strategic for evening flights to catch the sunset's reflection on the Mississippi River. When landing at MDW, many patterns take the plane north over the city, giving left-side passengers a front-row seat to the skyline.
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The Great Plains
Observe the fascinating 'patchwork quilt' of circular irrigation fields across Colorado and Kansas.
Mississippi River
See the industrial barges and winding turns of the great river near Rock Island.
Chicagoland Suburbs
Get a detailed look at the sprawling residential and industrial outskirts of the Chicago metropolitan area.
The right side (Starboard) faces South, meaning you will deal with direct sunlight for most of the flight. Keep your window shade partially closed to manage heat and glare. This side is best for seeing the rural-to-urban transition of the Illinois landscape as you descend toward the southwest side of Chicago.
Book Hotels in ChicagoDistance: 1,437 km (893 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 55 min
Departure: DEN (39.861698150635, -104.672996521)
Arrival: MDW (41.785999, -87.752403)
Route Type: Domestic
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