Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Chicago. While takeoff favors the right with its coastal glimpse, the left side wins overall because it offers the Rocky Mountain foothills near Los Angeles on climb-out at a wider angle, plus consistent views of the Mississippi River valley and Chicago's lakefront skyline on approach, giving more sustained visual interest across the flight.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX departures typically head west over the Pacific before turning east, giving the right side a brief look back at the Los Angeles coastline and Santa Monica Bay. The left side mostly sees the city sprawl and San Gabriel Mountains from a receding angle. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Downtown LA skyline, San Gabriel Mountains.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving into ORD from the west or southwest, the left side offers views of Chicago's western suburbs, the grid of farmland giving way to denser development, and often a glimpse of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline if the approach path allows a northern turn. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline, Chicago River, O'Hare's surrounding suburban grid.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes 4h 15m.

The flight path crosses the Mojave Desert, the Colorado River near the Arizona-Nevada border, the Rocky Mountains' southern ranges, the Great Plains of Colorado and Kansas, and the Mississippi River before descending toward Chicago.