Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Chicago. The left side wins at both ends of this flight. Tokyo Bay and Fuji on departure, and Lake Michigan with the Chicago skyline on arrival, are both on the left. Over the Pacific and Alaska the views are largely symmetric, so the left seat's advantage at the bookends makes it the clear overall pick.

During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT typically departs on runway 16R/34L or 16L/34R. Northbound departures toward the Pacific swing left, giving the left side views over Tokyo Bay and the Kanto Plain. On clear days, Mount Fuji appears to the southwest as the aircraft climbs and banks, and the dense urban sprawl of Greater Tokyo is clearly visible below. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji (southwest horizon), Kanto Plain urban grid, Chiba Peninsula coastline.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD predominantly uses runways oriented east-west (9L/27R, 10C/28C, etc.) and north-south (14R/32L). Westbound arrivals from the Pacific typically approach from the east or northeast, putting Lake Michigan and the Chicago lakefront on the left side. The left seat gets the iconic view of the Chicago skyline against the lake as the aircraft descends over the south suburbs. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan, Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Chicago River grid, O'Hare suburban sprawl.

The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 12 to 13 hours westbound, 13 to 14 hours eastbound due to jet stream.

The great circle route from NRT to ORD tracks northeast over the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, crossing the Gulf of Alaska, then over southern Alaska and the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta before descending over the Great Plains into Chicago. Passengers may see the Aleutian volcanic peaks on clear days, glaciated terrain over the Alaska Range, and the snow-covered Canadian Rockies as a dramatic ridgeline on the horizon during the North American portion.