Chicago to San Francisco: what the ORD to SFO corridor looks like
- Departure
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, the United States
- Arrival
- San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, the United States
- Great-circle distance
- 2,964 km (1,600 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 3h 57m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL330 to FL390
- Initial track
- westbound
Route overview
The ORD to SFO sector connects Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, the United States, with San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, the United States. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 2,964 km apart, roughly 1,600 nautical miles, which is close to 3h 57m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is westbound, and the middle of the route sits in subtropical latitudes.
Mountain wave over the Rockies
Mountain wave is the main feature of this corridor. When the upper wind blows across the Rockies at a strong angle, the air keeps rising and sinking downwind of the ridge, which is felt as rhythmic movement at cruise. Higher cruise levels sit above most of that wave energy.
Cruise altitudes on this sector
Medium haul sectors typically level off between FL330 and FL390, with a single step climb once fuel burn has lightened the aircraft. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.
Seasonal pattern
Mountain wave activity follows the strength of the winter westerlies, so the most defined wave segments occur between November and March, and mid summer crossings are typically calm.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the ORD to SFO track is uncomfortable and entirely within what the aircraft is built for. Wings are designed to flex, the flight is planned around the forecast, and the crew adjusts level or track when it helps. The live forecast above shows the current picture for this corridor so there are fewer surprises on the day.