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ONT → MDW
Which side of the plane to sit from Ontario International Airport (Ontario) to Chicago Midway International Airport (Chicago)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior panorama of the Mojave Desert, the striking red rock formations of Southern Utah, and the highest peaks of the Colorado Rockies, followed by a potential view of the Chicago skyline on approach.
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San Bernardino Mountains
Spectacular views of Mount San Gorgonio and the surrounding national forest immediately after takeoff from ONT.
Mojave National Preserve
Vast stretches of high desert, Joshua tree forests, and ancient volcanic cinder cones visible as you head northeast.
Lake Powell
The brilliant blue waters of the Colorado River winding through deep red rock canyons near the Arizona-Utah border.
Colorado Rockies
Aerial views of the snow-capped central peaks, including famous ski areas like Aspen and Vail depending on the flight path.
Denver Metro
Look for the sprawling city of Denver and the iconic peaked roof of Denver International Airport to the north.
Mississippi River
A major geographic milestone as you cross from the Great Plains into the Midwest.
Chicago Skyline
On clear days, if landing on Runway 31C, passengers on the left side get a front-row seat to the Willis Tower and Lake Michigan.
Sit on the left (Port side) for the best mountain and lake views. For evening flights, this side avoids the direct glare of the sun as you travel east, making it easier to see and photograph the terrain. Keep an eye out about 60-90 minutes into the flight for the transition from desert to alpine scenery.
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Joshua Tree National Park
The unique boulder formations and desert ecosystems of the Coachella Valley region visible shortly after departure.
Meteor Crater
The world's best-preserved meteorite impact site appears as a distinct circular scar in the Arizona desert floor.
Painted Desert
A vast landscape of badlands featuring stratified layers of siltstone and shale in vibrant hues of lavender and red.
Center-Pivot Irrigation
Perfectly circular green and brown fields across Kansas and Nebraska creating a massive geometric quilt.
Illinois River
Winding through the heart of the Midwest's agricultural belt shortly before the descent into Chicago.
The right side (Starboard) is excellent for spotting the Grand Canyon in the distance if the flight takes a more southerly routing. Be aware that the sun will be on this side for most of the morning and afternoon, which may require closing the window shade to stay cool, though it offers beautiful golden hour light during sunrise flights.
Book Hotels in ChicagoDistance: 2,740 km (1,703 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 39 min
Departure: ONT (34.05599975585937, -117.60099792480467)
Arrival: MDW (41.785999, -87.752403)
Route Type: Domestic
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