We are directed to Hartsfield's Runway 27L for takeoff. As we depart the cargo area, we see the passenger terminals across the airfield. Hartsfield is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, so it is no surprise that we see quite a few Delta planes parked at the gates here:
Soon, we are cleared for takeoff. As we ascend into the clouds, the passenger terminals at Hartsfield remain barely visible behind us. Notice how they are lined up in neat little rows: they are linked together by an underground train system.
Trivia: the passenger terminals at Denver International Airport are based on this same design used at Hartsfield, and are also linked by an underground train system. Denver is on our upcoming itinerary, so stick around!
Quickly we turn north toward Chicago. Atlanta and its vast expanse of suburbs are somewhere down there below the clouds:
We soon climb above the clouds. Somewhere down there in Tennessee, lots of snow is falling:
Farther north into Kentucky, you can see quite a lot of snow on the ground. The ground will be covered in the white stuff from here the rest of the way to Chicago:
Looking down through the clouds off to our left, we can sort of make out Indianapolis down there:
We are almost at the top-of-descent point into O'Hare now. Here you can see Lake Michigan, and vast expanse of Chicagoland on its western shore:
We are directed to land on Runway 14L at O'Hare. This is kind of a bummer, as this runway is almost 180° around the other side of O'Hare from our approach! We will have to practically fly over O'Hare as we circle around to get on the approach for 14L. Oh well, maybe we will see something interesting along the way. Then again, given the weather, maybe not. Here we see some of Chicago's neighborhoods down below as we descend:
Fasten your seat belts, as things are getting a little bumpy here. We are descending through some snow showers as we line up on final for 14L:
Ah, there is 14L ahead of us at last. We lower the flaps and gear, and prepare to set this bird down:
In spite of the heavy snow, we touch down on 14L without any trouble at all. Interestingly, ATC directed an American flight to land on 4R (which crosses 14L) as we were touching down, so we better hurry and get off the runway:
O'Hare is a major hub for both American and United Airlines. Not surprisingly, we can see quite a few American planes here. O'Hare also happens to be a very popular destination for many international carriers. Here we slide into a spot right next to a Korean Air Lines 747:
Look at all the snow! Quite a contrast from the warm Brazilian sun several days ago. Get your warm woolies on, and let's go throw some snowballs! Later on, we can go out for some world-famous Chicago deep dish pizza. Good times!
Total flight time: 1:32
Next: on to "Beantown!"
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