ORD to SEA: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Chicago (ORD) to Seattle (SEA) is a 2,762 km (1,716 mi), roughly 3h 45m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime ORD to SEA departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Both | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Both |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side wins for both views and shade.
Sit on the right. It gets the better views and the shade on this westbound run.
Takeoff
Depending on the runway in use, Chicago drops away on the left as you climb out. About 4 minutes in, Milwaukee appears on the right.
En route
- 13m inRight →Madison
About 13 minutes in, Madison sits off the right side during the climb.
- 42m inRight →Saint Paul
Around 42 minutes in, Saint Paul is on the right, with Minneapolis just after it at about 43 minutes.
- 1h 43m in← LeftMount Rushmore
Near 1 hour 43 minutes in, Mount Rushmore is far to the left.
- 2h 29m in← LeftYellowstone National Park
About 2 hours 29 minutes in, Yellowstone National Park stays on the left side.
- 2h 54m inRight →Glacier National Park
Around 2 hours 54 minutes in, Glacier National Park comes up on the right.
- 3h 15m inRight →Spokane
About 3 hours 15 minutes in, Spokane is close on the right, so it is one of the last clear sights before descent.
Landing
Depending on the runway in use, the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier come into view on the left about 3 hours 42 minutes in. Then Seattle appears on the right, with Lake Washington nearby, while Tacoma sits to the left as you come down.
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 SEA?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on ORD to SEA 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 SEA?
The great-circle distance is 2,762 km (1,716 mi), which works out to roughly 3h 45m in the air on this westbound 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 SEA for the best views?
The right side. It has the stronger views on this route, and it is also the shade side.
What can I see on the ORD to SEA flight?
You get city views near departure, then a run past Madison, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Spokane, and finally the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier on descent.