Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Panama City. The left side delivers the dramatic Chicago lakefront departure, then tracks the Gulf of Mexico coastline through the Yucatan crossing, and offers views of the Caribbean Sea and Central American mountain spine through Guatemala and Honduras. The right side has the better Panama City landing approach, but the left side wins on total scenic content across the full flight.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing ORD, most runways send aircraft southbound or eastbound. A left (east-facing) seat gives you the Chicago skyline along Lake Michigan's shoreline, including the dense cluster of downtown towers visible from climb-out. The lake itself stretches to the horizon with no obstructions. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park lakefront, Chicago River grid pattern.

When landing at Tocumen International (PTY), sit on the Right side for the best views. Tocumen sits east of Panama City, and aircraft typically approach from the north over the Caribbean side or curve in from the northwest. A right (west-facing) seat gives you Panama City's skyline along the Pacific coast of the Bay of Panama, plus the visible cut of the Panama Canal near Miraflores. The Pacific and Atlantic ocean coasts are both potentially visible given Panama's narrow isthmus. Notable sights include: Panama City skyline on Bay of Panama, Panama Canal waterway, Miraflores Locks area, Bridge of the Americas.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Tocumen International (PTY) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.

The flight crosses the Gulf of Mexico, passing over or near the Yucatan Peninsula where the Caribbean coast and cenote-dotted limestone plain are visible. Over Central America, the volcanic spine of Guatemala and Honduras including the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes and Lake Izabal may be visible on the left. The Caribbean Sea is visible to the left through much of the Central American segment, while the Pacific coast ridgeline appears to the right. The isthmus narrows dramatically as the aircraft descends toward Panama.