The left side wins both departure and arrival, capturing Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline on takeoff and Lake Michigan with the Chicago Loop on approach. Over the Pacific and Alaska portions of the route, the left side also faces generally south and southwest, offering views of the Aleutian Islands chain and the Gulf of Alaska coastline during daylight portions of the flight.
Flight Path
The great circle route tracks northeast over the South China Sea, then across southern Japan and the Japanese archipelago, over the North Pacific passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, across the Gulf of Alaska, over the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta, then southeast across the Great Plains of Montana, the Dakotas, and Minnesota before descending into Chicago. The Canadian Rockies crossing offers dramatic mountain terrain if overflown in daylight, and the Aleutian Islands may be visible as a string of volcanic peaks on the southern horizon during the mid-Pacific portion.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from HKG
LEFTHKG departures heading east on runway 07L/07R put Lantau Island and the dramatic peaks of Lantau on the left, along with the dense urban skyline of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island visible across the harbor. The left side captures the full sweep of Victoria Harbour and the Central district skyscrapers before the aircraft turns north.
Landing at ORD
LEFTORD arrivals typically approach from the east or southeast on runways 10L/10C/10R, meaning the left side faces north and northwest toward the Chicago lakefront, Lake Michigan, and the downtown Loop skyline. The left seat gets a clear view of the city grid and the lake shoreline as the aircraft descends over the suburbs.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hong Kong to Chicago. The left side wins both departure and arrival, capturing Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline on takeoff and Lake Michigan with the Chicago Loop on approach. Over the Pacific and Alaska portions of the route, the left side also faces generally south and southwest, offering views of the Aleutian Islands chain and the Gulf of Alaska coastline during daylight portions of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
During takeoff from Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. HKG departures heading east on runway 07L/07R put Lantau Island and the dramatic peaks of Lantau on the left, along with the dense urban skyline of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island visible across the harbor. The left side captures the full sweep of Victoria Harbour and the Central district skyscrapers before the aircraft turns north. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour and Central/Wan Chai skyline, Lantau Peak (934m), Kowloon Peninsula urban grid, Ma On Shan and Sai Kung hills to the northeast.
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. ORD arrivals typically approach from the east or southeast on runways 10L/10C/10R, meaning the left side faces north and northwest toward the Chicago lakefront, Lake Michigan, and the downtown Loop skyline. The left seat gets a clear view of the city grid and the lake shoreline as the aircraft descends over the suburbs. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago Loop skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), suburban grid of Cook County, O'Hare's distinctive runway layout visible on final.
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to Chicago?
The flight from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 15 to 16 hours nonstop.
What does the Hong Kong to Chicago flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northeast over the South China Sea, then across southern Japan and the Japanese archipelago, over the North Pacific passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, across the Gulf of Alaska, over the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta, then southeast across the Great Plains of Montana, the Dakotas, and Minnesota before descending into Chicago. The Canadian Rockies crossing offers dramatic mountain terrain if overflown in daylight, and the Aleutian Islands may be visible as a string of volcanic peaks on the southern horizon during the mid-Pacific portion.