Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to West Chicago. Right-side seats win overall because the departure scenery from Amsterdam is more visually distinctive—the Wadden Islands and North Sea offer dramatic contrast to the polders. The landing views are comparable on both sides, but the takeoff advantage tips the balance to the right.

During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the North Sea coast and the Dutch coastline as the aircraft climbs northwestward from Schiphol. You'll see the distinctive patchwork of Dutch polders, waterways, and the Wadden Sea islands receding below. Notable sights include: North Sea, Wadden Islands (Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling), Dutch polders and canal network, IJsselmeer lake.

When landing at Du Page (DPA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during descent into Chicago airspace. You'll see Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline, the Chicago skyline, and the urban sprawl of the greater Chicago metropolitan area as you approach from the northeast. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan, Chicago downtown skyline and lakefront, Illinois prairie and suburban grid, Des Plaines River valley.

The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Du Page (DPA) takes Approximately 9 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the North Sea, then over the United Kingdom (you may see the English Midlands or East Anglia depending on routing), then the Atlantic Ocean for roughly 5 hours. The mid-Atlantic crossing offers little but open ocean. As you approach North America, you'll cross the Canadian Maritimes or northeastern US coastline, then inland over the Great Lakes region (Lake Ontario or Lake Erie may be visible), and finally the Ohio River valley and Illinois prairie before descent into Chicago.