The right side wins on both ends of the flight: Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline at departure, and the Chao Phraya River delta with Bangkok's skyline on arrival, giving it more consistent visual interest than the largely featureless left-side views of farmland and rice paddies.
Flight Path
Hudson Bay coastline, Canadian Arctic tundra, Siberian taiga near Lake Baikal, Mongolian steppe, Gobi Desert, and the mountainous terrain of Yunnan before descending into the Southeast Asian lowlands
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
RIGHTDeparting ORD toward the polar routing, the aircraft typically turns north, putting Lake Michigan's shoreline and the Chicago skyline on the right side of the plane during initial climb. The left side over the western suburbs and flat Illinois farmland offers little visual interest.
Landing at BKK
RIGHTOn approach into Suvarnabhumi from the north, the right side offers views of the Chao Phraya River delta and Bangkok's dense skyline as the aircraft lines up for landing, while the left side mostly shows flat rice paddies with fewer distinguishing features.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Bangkok. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline at departure, and the Chao Phraya River delta with Bangkok's skyline on arrival, giving it more consistent visual interest than the largely featureless left-side views of farmland and rice paddies.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing ORD toward the polar routing, the aircraft typically turns north, putting Lake Michigan's shoreline and the Chicago skyline on the right side of the plane during initial climb. The left side over the western suburbs and flat Illinois farmland offers little visual interest. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, Loop), O'Hare's runway grid, Navy Pier.
What can I see when landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
When landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Suvarnabhumi from the north, the right side offers views of the Chao Phraya River delta and Bangkok's dense skyline as the aircraft lines up for landing, while the left side mostly shows flat rice paddies with fewer distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Chao Phraya River, Bangkok skyline, rice paddy patchwork, Suvarnabhumi's terminal complex.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Bangkok?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) takes 17h 50m.
What does the Chicago to Bangkok flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay coastline, Canadian Arctic tundra, Siberian taiga near Lake Baikal, Mongolian steppe, Gobi Desert, and the mountainous terrain of Yunnan before descending into the Southeast Asian lowlands