Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Athens. The Athens arrival on the right side delivers a genuinely spectacular and rare view — the Acropolis, the Saronic Gulf, and the entire Athens basin laid out on approach. The Chicago departure on the left is excellent but shorter in duration. For the full flight experience, right side wins on the strength of the arrival.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD's most common departure is eastbound on runways 10L/10R, which puts the left side facing north toward downtown Chicago. You get a clear view of the lakefront, Grant Park, and the dense Loop skyline as the aircraft banks right after takeoff. The right side faces south toward suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Navy Pier, Grant Park and Museum Campus.

When landing at Athinai (HEW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Athens airport (LGAV) sits east of the city, and aircraft typically approach from the east on runway 03L/03R heading northwest, or land on runway 21 heading southwest. On a standard ILS approach from the east heading northwest, the right side faces northeast toward the Aegean Sea and the city of Athens with the Acropolis visible. The Saronic Gulf and surrounding Attica peninsula are clearly laid out on the right. Notable sights include: Acropolis of Athens, Saronic Gulf, Mount Hymettus, Athens urban basin.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Athinai (HEW) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

The route tracks northeast over the Great Lakes, then crosses the North Atlantic near Newfoundland and the southern tip of Greenland. Over Europe it passes over the UK or northern France, then across the Alps — the Swiss and Austrian Alps are visible as a dramatic snow-capped arc. The flight then descends over the Adriatic Sea or northern Italy before crossing the Greek mainland and the Aegean toward Athens.