Left side wins at both ends of the flight — Amsterdam city and coast on departure, Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on approach. Over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the left side also faces south toward Greenland's ice sheet and southern tip during the northern great circle routing, giving it a slight edge mid-flight as well.
Flight Path
The great circle route tracks northwest over the North Sea, then across Scotland and the northern tip of Ireland, out over the North Atlantic. The route passes south of Iceland and over the southern tip of Greenland — the ice sheet edge and fjords are visible on clear days. It then crosses the Labrador coast of Canada, Hudson Bay to the north, and descends over the Great Lakes region, passing south of Lake Superior and over Lake Michigan before reaching Chicago.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
LEFTSchiphol departures heading west or northwest (common for transatlantic routes) put the left side facing south over Amsterdam city center and the IJ river. You get a clear view of the city's concentric canal ring, the port of Amsterdam, and the flat Dutch polder landscape stretching toward the coast.
Landing at ORD
LEFTO'Hare arrivals from the east typically use runways oriented east-west, with final approach over the western suburbs. The left side faces south toward downtown Chicago, giving a clear view of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Chicago skyline, and the grid of the city's South and West Side neighborhoods.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Chicago. Left side wins at both ends of the flight — Amsterdam city and coast on departure, Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on approach. Over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the left side also faces south toward Greenland's ice sheet and southern tip during the northern great circle routing, giving it a slight edge mid-flight as well.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol departures heading west or northwest (common for transatlantic routes) put the left side facing south over Amsterdam city center and the IJ river. You get a clear view of the city's concentric canal ring, the port of Amsterdam, and the flat Dutch polder landscape stretching toward the coast. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and city center, IJ river and Amsterdam port, Dutch polder fields and windmill clusters near Haarlem, North Sea coastline and dune belt.
What can I see when landing at Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. O'Hare arrivals from the east typically use runways oriented east-west, with final approach over the western suburbs. The left side faces south toward downtown Chicago, giving a clear view of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Chicago skyline, and the grid of the city's South and West Side neighborhoods. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline and Willis Tower, Lake Michigan shoreline and Grant Park lakefront, Chicago River and its branches through the urban grid, O'Hare's distinctive multi-runway complex visible just before touchdown.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Chicago?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 9 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 45 minutes westbound.
What does the Amsterdam to Chicago flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest over the North Sea, then across Scotland and the northern tip of Ireland, out over the North Atlantic. The route passes south of Iceland and over the southern tip of Greenland — the ice sheet edge and fjords are visible on clear days. It then crosses the Labrador coast of Canada, Hudson Bay to the north, and descends over the Great Lakes region, passing south of Lake Superior and over Lake Michigan before reaching Chicago.