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SJC → ORD
Which side of the plane to sit from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (San Jose) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the Great Salt Lake and provides the best chance to see the iconic Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan during the standard arrival patterns into O'Hare.
Search flights from SJC to ORD
Silicon Valley
Immediate views of San Jose, Levi's Stadium, and the southern San Francisco Bay marshes.
Lake Tahoe & Sierras
Northward views of the deep blue alpine lake and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks.
Great Salt Lake
The stark white salt flats and the contrasting colors of Utah's massive saline lake.
Wyoming Rockies
Aerial perspectives of the rugged Wind River Range and the vast Wyoming wilderness.
Nebraska Sandhills
Unique rolling grass-stabilized sand dunes and the winding Platte River.
Chicago Skyline
Spectacular views of the Willis Tower and Lake Michigan on the downwind leg of the approach.
Sit on the left for the best chance of seeing the Chicago lakefront. Morning flights provide excellent illumination of the Western landscapes without the glare of the southern sun. Avoid seats over the wing (rows 15-25 on many narrow-bodies) for the best views of the Great Salt Lake.
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Yosemite National Park
Views of the high country of the Sierra Nevada, including the granite domes of Yosemite.
Mono Lake
The distinct circular volcanic lake with its unique tufa tower formations visible from altitude.
Utah Canyons
The red rock transition between the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau.
Colorado Rockies
Glimpses of the highest peaks in the contiguous US as you cross the Continental Divide.
Mississippi River
The wide crossing of the 'Mighty Mississippi' near the border of Iowa and Illinois.
ORD Approach
Close-up views of the complex runway systems and suburban Chicago sprawl during landing.
The right side is ideal for photographers interested in the geology of Yosemite and the high Rockies. During late afternoon flights, the right side will be the 'sunny' side, so be prepared for high contrast and heat; use the window shade if needed. It is the better side for viewing the agricultural 'patchwork quilt' of the Midwest.
Book Hotels in ChicagoDistance: 2,937 km (1,825 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 55 min
Departure: SJC (37.362598, -121.929001)
Arrival: ORD (41.9786, -87.9048)
Route Type: Domestic
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