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MDW → BHM
Which side of the plane to sit from Chicago Midway International Airport (Chicago) to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (Birmingham)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline immediately after departure from Midway, followed by views of Nashville and the Tennessee River valley.
Search flights from MDW to BHM
Chicago Loop
The most iconic view of the Sears Tower and the downtown skyline shortly after takeoff.
Midwestern Heartland
Perfectly geometric agricultural patterns stretching across the Illinois and Indiana borders.
Nashville Skyline
Glimpses of Music City, including the distinctive 'Batman Building' (AT&T Building) to the east.
Tennessee River
The massive, winding waterway that defines the landscape of Northern Alabama.
Bankhead National Forest
A vast expanse of deep green canopy known as the Land of a Thousand Waterfalls.
The right side is premier for sunset flights, offering golden hour views over the Tennessee Valley. For the best chance at the Chicago skyline view, check the wind direction; if taking off to the North or East, the right side is unbeatable. Sit forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the urban landscapes.
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Gary Industrial Hub
Massive steel mills and industrial complexes along the southern tip of Lake Michigan.
Indianapolis Horizon
Distant views of the Indiana state capital and its surrounding racing culture landscape.
Ohio River Crossing
The wide, meandering border between Indiana and Kentucky near the Louisville area.
Cumberland Plateau
The transition from flat Midwestern plains to the rugged, forested hills of the Appalachian foothills.
Sloss Furnaces
A view of Birmingham's historic iron-producing site during the final descent into BHM.
Choose the left side for morning flights to enjoy the sunrise over the rolling hills of Kentucky and Tennessee. It provides a better vantage point for the industrial architecture of the Great Lakes region and the dense forests of northern Alabama during the final approach.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 919 km (571 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 32 min
Departure: MDW (41.785999, -87.752403)
Arrival: BHM (33.56290054, -86.75350189)
Route Type: Domestic
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