Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 11; Flight Crew Total 729; Flight Crew Type 0
Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Unauthorized Flight Operations (UAS); Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related
I am a 20+ year CFII who was a passenger on [a] paid commercial flight from ZZZ to ORD. Just before our aircraft transitioned from a heading of approximately 120 heading to 090 just northwest of the KURKK intersection; I happened to be looking outside and saw an object pass by about 200 feet below and 250-300 ft away from our flight. The object was black and had red and green highlights. In the moment; my brain registered this as a drone with typically dim position lights. The encounter was understandably fast given our speed and I know my memory isn't going to provide much detail and may be biased; but we were dangerously close to something. I cannot rule out that it was a balloon; but it would have been the most rectangular balloon I'd ever seen. I also happened to have Foreflight open on my phone at that moment as I like to watch where we are in flight. About 10 seconds after seeing the object; I used Foreflight's option to mark a position and will gladly share screen shots and such if needed.Since my phone was in airplane mode and had a limited view of the GPS constellation; there is likely considerable error in that data. Still; where it shows on the map matches the location I saw out the window as I distinctly remember seeing the Twin Lakes Recreational Area in Palatine; IL. Our aircraft did not seem to make any course changes other than the move to 090. So; I don't know if the crew saw the object. Obviously; we landed without incident. I tried to connect with the crew to share my observation; but they were already out of the aircraft. One thing I noticed in this process... I had no idea how to make a report in the moment. Despite being a commercial CFII and 107 operator; I didn't know where to turn to be helpful. I'm sure there was a better; faster reporting option; but I had forgotten the best route. So; I'll add that to my list of things to review for my flight review next week. I hope this data is helpful in some way.
A seated passenger reported observing a UAS while on an air carrier flight on final approach to a Class B airport.