Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Auckland. While the left side wins at takeoff for the Chicago skyline, the right side delivers the more dramatic arrival sequence over Auckland's volcanic geography and harbour. Across the Pacific the views are largely ocean, but the right side also catches the first glimpses of New Zealand's Northland coastline on descent. The Auckland arrival on the right is the highlight of the entire flight.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD's most common departure runways (9L/9R heading east, or 10L/10R) put the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on the left side. As the aircraft climbs eastward, the left window gives a clear view back over the city grid and the lakefront. The downtown Loop and Navy Pier are distinctly visible against the lake. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Navy Pier, the dense urban grid of the North Side neighborhoods.

When landing at Auckland International (AKL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Auckland Airport sits on the Manukau Harbour side of the isthmus, and aircraft typically land on runway 23L/23R heading southwest or 05R heading northeast. On approach from the north (as this transpacific flight arrives), the right side gives views over the Waitemata Harbour, the Auckland CBD, and the Hauraki Gulf with its islands. The Rangitoto Island shield volcano is a distinctive and unmistakable landmark visible from the right. Notable sights include: Rangitoto Island (shield volcano), Auckland CBD and Sky Tower, Waitemata Harbour, Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Auckland International (AKL) takes Approximately 17 to 18 hours nonstop (Air New Zealand operates this route direct).

The flight tracks northwest from Chicago over Wisconsin, then arcs across the northern Pacific on a great circle route passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain. The route crosses the vast open North Pacific, passing near the Hawaiian Islands chain to the south (not directly over). It then crosses the South Pacific, descending toward Fiji and Tonga before reaching New Zealand's Northland. Virtually the entire mid-flight is open ocean with occasional cloud systems. The dateline crossing occurs over open water roughly 8 to 9 hours into the flight.