Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Abu Dhabi. While takeoff favors the right for Chicago views, the landing experience on the left is superior—the Persian Gulf, Hajar Mountains, and UAE's dramatic desert-to-coast transition provide more sustained visual interest over a longer approach phase than the brief Chicago departure.

During takeoff from Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Midway typically departs runways 4L/4R or 22L/22R depending on wind. Westbound departures (most common for international flights) use runway 4, climbing northwest. Right-side seats capture Lake Michigan's shoreline and the Chicago skyline receding behind, with clear views of the city's grid extending inland. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan (immediate right, stretching north-south), Chicago downtown skyline (left-center, receding), Indiana industrial corridor (far right horizon), Des Plaines River valley (left foreground during climb).

When landing at Abu Dhabi International (AUH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Abu Dhabi International typically lands on runways 31L/31R (eastbound) or 13L/13R (westbound). Most long-haul arrivals use runway 31, descending from the northwest. Left-side seats provide views of the Persian Gulf coastline, the Hajar Mountains to the southeast, and the UAE's desert landscape with its distinctive salt flats and wadis. Notable sights include: Persian Gulf (left side, visible as blue water), Hajar Mountains (right-center horizon, appearing as low brown ridges), Abu Dhabi city and coastal development (center-left during final approach), salt flats and sabkha (foreground and right, appearing white and tan).

The flight from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to Abu Dhabi International (AUH) takes Approximately 14.5 to 15.5 hours.

The flight path crosses the Atlantic (Newfoundland and Greenland visible on northern routing), then over the Arctic or North Atlantic depending on seasonal winds, descending across Europe (Alps visible on some routing), the Mediterranean, North Africa (Sahara's vast tan expanse), the Middle East (Zagros Mountains in Iran, Mesopotamian plains in Iraq), and finally the Persian Gulf coastal approach to Abu Dhabi. The Zagros range and Persian Gulf coastline are the most dramatic midpoint features visible from cruise altitude.