ORD to LHR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Chicago (ORD) to London (LHR) is a 6,344 km (3,942 mi), roughly 7h 58m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime ORD to LHR 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 | Both | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Both | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are split on this route, so they do not decide the seat. Follow the shade advice: the left side is shaded for most of the flight.
This route does not pick a clear views side. You get a mix of left and right-side sights, so the shade call does the deciding. With daylight for most of the trip, the left side is shaded.
Takeoff
After departure from ORD, Chicago sits off the right side about a minute in, depending on the runway in use. A few minutes later, Milwaukee is off the left, so the first climb gives you something on both sides.
En route
- 17m in← LeftLake Michigan
About 17 minutes in, Lake Michigan is off the left side. You see a wide blue edge under the climb.
- 38m inRight →Lake Huron
Around 38 minutes in, Lake Huron sits off the right side. It reads as a broad dark water stretch below you.
- 47m in← LeftManitoulin Island
About 47 minutes in, Manitoulin Island is off the left. It comes and goes as a compact island shape in Lake Huron.
- 7h 09m inRight →Aran Islands
Near the 7-hour mark, the Aran Islands appear on the right. They are small island shapes, not a long pass.
- 7h 11m inRight →Cliffs of Moher
A couple of minutes later, the Cliffs of Moher are also on the right. They sit close to the flight path, so the view is brief.
- 7h 24m in← LeftDublin
Around 7 hours 24 minutes in, Dublin is off the left side. You get a city pass from cruise altitude, not an overhead look.
Landing
On descent toward LHR, the left side keeps the stronger run of views, depending on the runway in use. You pass the British Isles, Anglesey, and Snowdon on the left, then London, London Bridge, and Tower Bridge stay on the left as you come in. Cardiff and Portsmouth sit on the right.
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 ORD to LHR?
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 ORD to LHR 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 ORD to LHR?
The great-circle distance is 6,344 km (3,942 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 58m in the air on this eastbound 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 ORD to LHR for views?
There is no clear views winner. The route is split, so pick the left side for shade rather than for views.
What landmarks can I see on ORD to LHR?
You can see Lake Michigan and Manitoulin Island on the left, Lake Huron on the right, then the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, and London-area landmarks on arrival.