Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Albany to Chicago. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over upstate New York and northern Indiana, the left side also tracks slightly closer to Lake Erie's southern shoreline in the middle portion of the route, offering occasional glimpses of that water body on clear days.

During takeoff from Albany International (ALB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Albany typically uses runway 01 (northbound) or runway 19 (southbound). On a westbound departure toward Chicago, the aircraft banks left (south-southwest), putting the left side over the Hudson River valley and the Catskill Mountains to the south. The right side faces north toward the Adirondacks but the bank angle favors left-side views of the river and highlands. Notable sights include: Hudson River corridor, Catskill Mountains to the southwest, Albany city grid below, Helderberg Escarpment to the west.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving at O'Hare from the east, aircraft typically approach on runways 10L/10R (eastbound heading) or 28L/28R (westbound). On an easterly approach, the left side faces north toward Lake Michigan's southern shoreline and the Chicago skyline. The left seat gets a clear view of the downtown lakefront as the aircraft descends over the western suburbs. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan southern shoreline, suburban grid of the western Chicago metro, O'Hare airport complex itself.

The flight from Albany International (ALB) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight crosses the Mohawk Valley west of Albany, then over the Southern Tier of New York state, northern Pennsylvania or southern Lake Erie corridor, northern Indiana flatlands, and the Chicago exurbs before descent. Lake Erie may be visible to the left (north) in the middle portion of the flight on clear days. The terrain is predominantly flat agricultural land through Ohio and Indiana with few dramatic features at cruise altitude.