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MHK → ORD
Which side of the plane to sit from Manhattan Regional Airport (Manhattan) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides the most dramatic views, including the unique Flint Hills at departure and the world-famous Chicago skyline during the final approach into O'Hare.
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The Flint Hills
Gaze at the rolling tallgrass prairie of Kansas, one of the few remaining intact ecosystems of its kind in North America.
Kansas City Skyline
On clear days, the distant skyscrapers of Kansas City are visible to the southeast shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Mississippi River Crossings
Observe the heavy barge traffic and major bridge infrastructure connecting the Midwest states.
Chicago Loop
The right side offers the premier view of the Willis Tower and the dense skyscraper cluster of downtown Chicago during the descent.
The right side is the 'gold standard' for this route. To see the Chicago skyline, ensure you are looking out about 10-15 minutes before touchdown. If the flight arrives after dark, the grid-like light patterns of the Chicago metropolitan area are a spectacular sight. During the summer, the sunset colors reflecting off the glass towers of the Loop can be breathtaking.
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Tuttle Creek Lake
Located just north of Manhattan, this large reservoir offers scenic water views immediately after takeoff.
Iowa Agriculture
Admire the intricate patchwork quilt patterns of the massive corn and soybean fields across the heartland.
Mississippi River
Cross the mighty Mississippi near the Quad Cities, marking the historic transition from Iowa into Illinois.
Lake Michigan Shoreline
Depending on the arrival pattern, you may catch a glimpse of the vast blue waters and the northern suburban beaches.
Sit on the left if you are flying in the late afternoon to avoid the direct glare of the southern sun. Keep your camera ready about 20 minutes before landing for views of the Fox River and the northern Chicago suburbs. In winter, the frozen patterns on the Iowa rivers and Tuttle Creek Lake are particularly striking from this side.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 804 km (500 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 20 min
Departure: MHK (39.14099884033203, -96.6707992553711)
Arrival: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Route Type: Domestic
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