DFW to ORD: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Chicago (ORD) is a 1,291 km (802 mi), roughly 2h 1m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime DFW to ORD departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side gets the best views, and it also catches the sun. That is the tradeoff here: sit right for the sights, left for less glare.
This route gives you the better views on the right. The catch: the sun is there too, so expect some glare on daytime departures. If you want the shaded seat, sit left. If you want the scenery, sit right.
Takeoff
After takeoff from DFW, depending on the runway in use, the right side gets Dallas and Arlington first. Irving can pass very close and steeply below you, so it may flash by fast. Fort Worth sits to the left.
En route
- 33m in← LeftTulsa
About half an hour in, Tulsa sits on the left. Give that side a look if you want the city shape as you climb out.
- 59m inRight →Ozarks
Around an hour in, the Ozarks are on the right. You get a broad highland view from that side.
- 1h 23m inRight →St. Louis
A little after an hour and twenty minutes in, St. Louis is also on the right. It is another clear win for that side.
Landing
On approach to ORD, depending on the runway in use, Chicago comes in on the right near touchdown. The daylight is still there, so the view is usable right to the end, but the same side also takes the sun.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from DFW to ORD?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on DFW to ORD flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from DFW to ORD?
The great-circle distance is 1,291 km (802 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 1m in the air on this northbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from DFW to ORD?
Sit on the right for the best views. The left side is the shaded side, but it does not get the stronger landscape picks on this route.
What can I see after takeoff from DFW?
Soon after departure, the right side gets Dallas and Arlington. Irving can pass almost under the aircraft, while Fort Worth is on the left.