Loading map...
PHX → ORD
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior display of Southwestern geology, featuring the Painted Desert and the Southern Rockies, while also providing a scenic entry into the Midwest.
Search flights from PHX to ORD
Painted Desert
Vibrant stratified layers of siltstone and mudstone create a multicolored landscape across Northern Arizona.
San Francisco Peaks
Dormant volcanic mountains near Flagstaff, including Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona.
Southern Rockies
Snow-capped ridges of the Sangre de Cristo Range visible as the flight crosses near the Colorado border.
Great Plains Grids
A massive geometric patchwork of center-pivot irrigation fields creating green circles across the Kansas plains.
Mississippi River
The wide, shimmering expanse of America's greatest waterway marking the boundary between Iowa and Illinois.
Morning flights are best for the left side to keep the sun behind the aircraft, illuminating the Painted Desert. Sit forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the mountain ranges. Keep an eye out about 30-40 minutes after takeoff for the most dramatic desert colors.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United States
Sonoran Vistas
Rugged desert terrain and mountain ranges immediately north of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Historic Route 66
The general path of the historic Mother Road as it cuts through the high desert of New Mexico.
Lake Michigan
The vast, deep blue horizon of the lake becomes visible during the descent into the Chicago area.
Chicago Skyline
A world-class view of the Willis Tower and the downtown lakefront if the aircraft approaches from the east.
O'Hare Approach
Dense urban grids and the intricate highway systems of the Chicago suburbs during the final descent.
The right side is the high-stakes choice for the Chicago arrival. Depending on wind direction, planes often loop over Lake Michigan, providing the right side with an iconic view of the downtown skyline. For the best photography of the city, ensure your window is clean before the descent begins.
Book Hotels in ChicagoDistance: 2,313 km (1,437 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 5 min
Departure: PHX (33.43429946899414, -112.01200103759766)
Arrival: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.