Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Athens to Chicago. Left side wins both ends of the flight — the Athens departure gives you the Acropolis, Saronic Gulf, and Aegina, while the Chicago arrival delivers the full lakefront skyline panorama. Over the Atlantic and central Europe the views are broadly similar on both sides, so the departure and arrival experiences tip the balance decisively to the left.

During takeoff from Athinai (HEW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Athens airport (LGAV) typically departs westward on runway 03L/21R or 03R/21L. On a westbound departure climbing out over Attica, the left side gives you the Saronic Gulf, the Athens city basin, and the Acropolis hill clearly visible below. The right side faces inland toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Acropolis of Athens and city center basin, Saronic Gulf with Aegina island, Hymettus mountain ridge, Piraeus port and coastline.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. O'Hare predominantly uses runways oriented east-west (9L/27R, 10/28 complex). On a typical westbound arrival from the east, the left side faces south toward downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan's shoreline, and the city grid. The right side looks north toward suburban sprawl with fewer distinctive features. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park lakefront, Chicago suburban grid, O'Hare airport approach over Des Plaines River corridor.

The flight from Athinai (HEW) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route tracks northwest from Athens across the Ionian Sea and southern Italy, then over the Alps (visible as a broad white mountain mass), across France and the English Channel, then over Ireland or southern England before crossing the North Atlantic. Mid-Atlantic is open ocean. The route re-enters North America over Newfoundland or Labrador, then tracks southwest over the Great Lakes region — Lake Erie and Lake Michigan may be visible on descent into Chicago.