Atlanta to Chicago: which side of the plane gets the sun?
On Atlanta to Chicago, the shady side depends on when you fly: check the table for your departure time and season.
Best side for shade
Departure time is local at ATL. Seasons use the solstices and equinoxes.
| Departing | Mar | Jun | Sep | Dec |
|---|
| Morning07:00 | Leftsunrise right | Left | Leftsunrise right | Leftsunrise right |
|---|
| Midday12:00 | Eithersun high, ahead or behind | Left | Eithersun high, ahead or behind | Right |
|---|
| Afternoon16:00 | Right | Right | Right | Rightsunset left |
|---|
| Evening20:00 | Eithermostly dark | Rightsunset left | Eithermostly dark | Eithermostly dark |
|---|
The route starts out heading north-northwest. North of the tropics the midday sun is in the southern sky, so on this heading it tends to be on the left of the aircraft. When it happens during the flight, the sunrise is on the right, and the sunset is on the left.
About this flight
Atlanta (ATL) to Chicago (ORD) is about 976 km on the shortest path, typically around 1h 40m gate to gate. Set your exact departure time above to see where the sun is minute by minute.
How accurate is this?
Real flights don't fly exactly the shortest path, and delays and winds shift the timing, so treat sunrise and sunset times as approximate. At cruise altitude the sun sets 10 to 20 minutes later than on the ground. A bright cloud deck below can reflect glare in on either side. More on accuracy.
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