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ORD → MSY
Which side of the plane to sit from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (New Orleans)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior vantage point for the Chicago skyline on departure and a stunning descent over Lake Pontchartrain into New Orleans.
Search flights from ORD to MSY
Chicago Skyline
Glimpse the Willis Tower and downtown skyscrapers immediately after takeoff from O'Hare.
Lake Michigan
The vast blue expanse of the lake is visible if the flight patterns head east before turning south.
Memphis Skyline
Look for the Mississippi River and the Memphis pyramid as you traverse Tennessee.
Lake Pontchartrain
A breathtaking approach over the massive brackish lake and the Causeway bridge.
Sit on the left for morning flights to see the sunrise over the Illinois plains. During the descent into MSY, keep your camera ready for the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world's longest bridge over water.
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Midwestern Grids
The perfectly straight roads and agricultural patterns of central Illinois.
St. Louis Arch
On more westerly routes, you may spot the Gateway Arch reflecting in the sun.
Mississippi River Meanders
Watch the extreme oxbow loops and winding path of the river through Arkansas.
Louisiana Bayous
The dense cypress swamps and wetlands as you enter the Gulf Coast region.
The right side avoids direct afternoon sun glare when flying south. It offers the best views of the river's complex geography and the vast wetlands of the Atchafalaya Basin during the final approach phase.
Book Hotels in New OrleansDistance: 1,349 km (838 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 48 min
Departure: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Arrival: MSY (29.99340057373047, -90.25800323486328)
Route Type: Domestic
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