About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Hong Kong International (HKG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Hong Kong. Left side wins both takeoff and landing with the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan at departure, and the Pearl River Delta, Lantau mountains, and the HKZM Bridge on approach. During the polar routing over Canada and Alaska, left side also faces south with better light angles and occasional views of the Canadian Rockies and Alaskan ranges.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD departures heading west or northwest (common for transpacific routes) put the left side facing south toward downtown Chicago. You get a clear view of the city skyline, Lake Michigan's southern shoreline, and the dense urban grid. Right side faces northwest into suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan southern shoreline, Chicago River corridor, Grant Park lakefront.
What can I see when landing at Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
When landing at Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. HKIA sits on Lantau Island and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast over the South China Sea, landing westward on runways 07L/07R. Left side faces south toward the Pearl River Delta, Macau, and the open South China Sea. Right side faces north toward Guangzhou and mainland China's interior, which is less visually dramatic. Notable sights include: Pearl River Delta and estuary, Lantau Island mountains (Lantau Peak at 3,064 ft), Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Macau peninsula in the far distance.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Hong Kong?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Hong Kong International (HKG) takes Approximately 15 to 16 hours.
What does the Chicago to Hong Kong flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest over Wisconsin and Minnesota, then across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, over the Yukon and Alaska Range (including views near Denali on clear days), across the Bering Sea, then southwest over the Kamchatka Peninsula and its volcanic peaks, the Kuril Islands chain, Japan's Hokkaido and Honshu islands including the Japanese Alps, the East China Sea, and finally the South China coast into Hong Kong.