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ORD → RDU
Which side of the plane to sit from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago) to Raleigh Durham International Airport (Raleigh-durham)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the Appalachian mountain folds and the dramatic terrain of the New River Gorge region as you cross into the Southeast.
Search flights from ORD to RDU
O'Hare Complex
A bird's-eye view of the massive airfield and intersecting runways during climb out.
Ohio River
The wide, winding silver waterway that marks the border between the Midwest and the South.
New River Gorge
Look for the deep canyon and the iconic steel arch bridge in the West Virginia mountains.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Layers of blue-tinged ridges that define the scenic beauty of the Appalachian range.
Winston-Salem
The skyline of the 'Twin City' serves as a landmark during the final descent into the Research Triangle.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to see the sunset over the mountains. The highlight of this route is the crossing of the Appalachians; look for the high ridges of the George Washington National Forest. During autumn (late October), the fall foliage colors are spectacular on this side of the aircraft.
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Chicago Skyline
Breathtaking views of the Willis Tower and the Lake Michigan shoreline during departure.
Lake Michigan
The deep blue expanse and the industrial shoreline of Northwest Indiana.
Columbus Metro
A clear view of Ohio's capital city and its surrounding suburban sprawl.
Monongahela Forest
Dense, undulating green canopies covering the rugged terrain of West Virginia.
Pilot Mountain
A distinctive quartzite monadnock rising sharply from the Piedmont plateau near the NC border.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. This side is also preferred for the best chance of seeing the Chicago skyline if departing on runways 10L/C/R. Keep your camera ready during the first 10 minutes of flight for iconic lakefront shots.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 1,039 km (646 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 23 min
Departure: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Arrival: RDU (35.877601623535156, -78.7874984741211)
Route Type: Domestic
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