Seeing Navy Pier from a plane
A pier reaching about 3,300 ft into Lake Michigan, opened in 1916. Look for the long pier and its Ferris wheel off the downtown lakefront.
10 of our routes pass it. Illinois · rated 4 of 10
The easy pick
Kansas City to Chicago: sit on the right, on the way down.
Which side, by route
| Route | Side | When |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta to Chicago | Left | on the way down |
| Dallas to Chicago | Right | on the way down |
| Dallas-Fort Worth to Chicago | Left the other side is usually better on this route | on the way down |
| Fort Lauderdale to Chicago | Left | on the way down |
| Houston to Chicago | Left the other side is usually better on this route | on the way down |
| Kansas City to Chicago | Left the other side is usually better on this route | on the way down |
| Kansas City to Chicago | Right | on the way down |
| Phoenix to Chicago | Left | on the way down |
| St. Louis to Chicago | Left the other side is usually better on this route | on the way down |
| Washington to Chicago | Left | on the way down |
From the real paths of every nonstop on these routes in the last 10 days, at the usual time of day.
Questions
Which side of the plane do you see Navy Pier from?
It depends on the direction: the left on most of our routes (8 of 10). The table lists each route's side.
When can you see Navy Pier from a plane?
Near the airport, on the climb or on the way down, and mid-flight on longer routes: see the table for each route.
Can you see Navy Pier at night?
Yes, by its lights. The app scores lit places at night by how bright they are.
Do clouds matter?
Yes. These answers assume a clear day. Within 3 days of your flight, pick your exact flight in the app for the cloud forecast.
More
Willis Tower United Center Chicago Rate Field Wrigley Field Atlanta (ATL) Chicago (ORD) Dallas (DAL) Chicago (MDW) All routes