Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Keflavik to Chicago. Takeoff from Keflavik offers more dramatic and visually distinctive scenery with Iceland's volcanic landscape and Atlantic coastline. While landing in Chicago provides urban interest, the volcanic terrain and coastal views on departure are more memorable and geographically unique.

During takeoff from Keflavik Nas (KEF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left side captures the dramatic volcanic landscape immediately west and southwest of Keflavik, including the dark lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Atlantic coastline. Right side faces inland toward less visually distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Reykjanes Peninsula lava fields (dark basalt), Atlantic Ocean coastline, Fagradalsfjall volcanic region, Keflavik town and harbor.

When landing at Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side offers views of the Chicago metropolitan area's urban grid, Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline, and the distinctive layout of Midway Airport's runways as you descend. Left side shows less distinctive suburban sprawl and industrial areas. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan (eastern shore), Chicago downtown skyline (distant), Midway Airport runways and taxiways, residential and industrial grid of southwest Chicago.

The flight from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Chicago Midway International (MDW) takes 5h 45m.

The flight path crosses the North Atlantic at high altitude (typically 33,000-35,000 feet), passing over open ocean with no visible landmarks for approximately 4 hours. The Greenland ice sheet may be visible to the north on clear days but is not directly on the standard routing. As the flight approaches North America, the Canadian Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland) appear on the horizon before the aircraft turns southwest toward the Great Lakes region. The flight then crosses over the northeastern United States, with the Appalachian Mountains visible as a distant ridge line before reaching the Midwest and descending into Chicago.