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ORD → DFW
Which side of the plane to sit from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas-Fort Worth)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is superior for this route primarily due to the spectacular views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan immediately after takeoff, followed by better positioning for the Mississippi River and Ozark peaks.
Search flights from ORD to DFW
Chicago Skyline
Unrivaled views of the Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, and the dense architecture of the Loop.
Lake Michigan Shoreline
Beautiful blue vistas of the lake and the winding lakefront paths of Chicago's Gold Coast.
Mississippi River Confluence
The massive meeting point of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers near the Missouri border.
Ozark Plateaus
Dense forest canopies and rugged terrain of the eastern Ozark National Forest in Arkansas.
Downtown Dallas
Clear views of the Bank of America Plaza and Reunion Tower during the final approach into DFW.
Sit on the left for the 'Chicago Turn'—most flights heading south bank over the lake, providing a full view of the city. Morning flights are ideal as the sun rises in the east, illuminating the Chicago skyline and the Ozark valleys with golden light. Avoid the wing area (rows 15-25 on most narrow-body jets) to ensure an unobstructed view of the ground features.
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O'Hare Airfield
A bird's-eye view of the complex runway geometry and terminal operations at ORD.
St. Louis Gateway Arch
Possibility of spotting the iconic stainless steel monument if the flight path tracks slightly west.
Lake of the Ozarks
The 'Dragon' shaped reservoir in Missouri, visible for its winding, serpentine shoreline.
Midwestern Heartland
The geometric patchwork of corn and soybean fields across Illinois and Missouri.
Grapevine Lake
The expansive blue waters of Grapevine Lake just seconds before touchdown at DFW.
The right side is perfect for evening flights to catch the sunset over the Great Plains. Keep a sharp eye out approximately 40-50 minutes into the flight for St. Louis; while the city is often passed directly over, the right side has a better angle for the suburban sprawl and the Arch. During landing at DFW, this side often sees the massive FedEx and UPS sorting hubs.
Book Hotels in Dallas-Fort WorthDistance: 1,291 km (802 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 43 min
Departure: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Arrival: DFW (32.896801, -97.038002)
Route Type: Domestic
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