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ORD → CUN
Which side of the plane to sit from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago) to Cancún International Airport (Cancun)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is superior for this route because it offers a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan upon departure, followed by the iconic turquoise waters and the '7' shaped Hotel Zone during the approach into Cancun.
Search flights from ORD to CUN
Chicago Skyline
Dramatic views of the Willis Tower and downtown skyscrapers if the flight path tracks east over Lake Michigan after takeoff.
Lake Michigan Shoreline
The deep blue expanse of the lake contrasting with the urban sprawl of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Appalachian Foothills
Rolling green terrain and river valleys visible as the flight traverses Kentucky and Tennessee.
Gulf Coast Beaches
The white sand coastlines of the Florida Panhandle or Alabama visible as you transition from land to the Gulf of Mexico.
Isla Mujeres
The narrow, vibrant island just north of Cancun, surrounded by shallow coral reefs and neon-blue water.
Cancun Hotel Zone
The famous thin strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the lagoon, lined with world-class resorts.
Book a window seat on the left for morning flights to see the sunrise over the water. During the final 15 minutes of the flight, keep your camera ready for the transition from the deep blue Gulf to the bright turquoise shallows of the Yucatan shelf.
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Midwestern Grids
The fascinating geometric patchwork of Illinois and Indiana farmland stretching to the horizon.
Mississippi Delta
The winding brown ribbons of the Mississippi River system and its surrounding wetlands near the Louisiana coast.
New Orleans Coast
Aerial views of the intricate bayous and shipping channels leading into the Gulf of Mexico.
Yucatan Jungle
The dense, seemingly endless green canopy of the Mexican tropical forest as you cross the peninsula.
Nichupté Lagoon
The massive mangrove-lined lagoon system that separates the city of Cancun from the resort area.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh glare of the sun reflecting off the Caribbean. It offers better views of the vast Mississippi River basin and the rugged, unpopulated interior of the Yucatan Peninsula during the descent.
Book Hotels in CancunDistance: 2,331 km (1,448 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 6 min
Departure: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Arrival: CUN (21.036500930800003, -86.8770980835)
Route Type: International
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