Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Puerto Vallarta. Left side wins overall. The Chicago departure view is spectacular and hard to beat — the skyline and Lake Michigan together make for one of the best urban departure views in North America. The right side has the edge on landing approach, but the left still sees Banderas Bay on descent. For the full flight, left captures the best single moment of the journey.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD departures heading south or southwest (common for PVR routing) put the left side facing east toward downtown Chicago. You get a clear view of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan's shoreline, and the dense urban grid of the city as you climb out. Right side faces west into suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago River grid, Midway Airport visible to the south.

When landing at Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Aircraft approaching PVR typically land on runway 04 (heading northeast) or 22 (heading southwest). On approach from the north, the right side faces west toward the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains and the dramatic coastal terrain above Puerto Vallarta. The left side looks out over Banderas Bay but the right gives you the mountain backdrop that defines the region. Notable sights include: Sierra Madre Occidental mountain ridges, Banderas Bay coastline, Puerto Vallarta urban area along the coast, Rio Ameca river mouth at the bay's northern end.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.

The flight tracks south-southwest over Illinois farmland, then crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, continues over the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas, crosses into Mexico over Tamaulipas or Nuevo León, then tracks along or west of the Sierra Madre Oriental before descending toward the Pacific coast. The terrain transitions from flat Midwest agricultural plains to rolling hill country to the rugged Mexican highlands. The Sierra Madre Occidental ridgelines are visible from cruising altitude as the flight nears the coast.