The right side strings together the flight's best moments: Chicago and Lake Michigan at departure, then a northern great-circle track that keeps Canadian wilderness, the Alaska Range, the Bering Sea, and Kamchatka's volcanoes broadly to the north (right) side for hours, finishing with Taiwan's volcanic peaks on approach. The left side spends most of the flight facing open, featureless ocean and sky.
Flight Path
Western Canadian wilderness and boreal forest, the Gulf of Alaska and Alaska Range, the Aleutian chain and Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanic ridgeline, and the Japanese coastline near Hokkaido before crossing the East China Sea toward Taiwan
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
RIGHTORD departures on this route climb out and turn north-northwest to begin the great-circle track toward Alaska, putting Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline off the right side of the cabin during the turn. The left side only shows flat Illinois/Wisconsin farmland receding behind.
Landing at TPE
RIGHTArrivals into TPE from the northeast Pacific route typically loop around to a final approach that puts Taiwan's interior on the right side, revealing the green volcanic ridgelines of the Yangmingshan/Datun range and the edge of the Taipei basin. The left side mostly faces the flat, featureless Taiwan Strait.
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 Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Taipei. The right side strings together the flight's best moments: Chicago and Lake Michigan at departure, then a northern great-circle track that keeps Canadian wilderness, the Alaska Range, the Bering Sea, and Kamchatka's volcanoes broadly to the north (right) side for hours, finishing with Taiwan's volcanic peaks on approach. The left side spends most of the flight facing open, featureless ocean and sky.
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. ORD departures on this route climb out and turn north-northwest to begin the great-circle track toward Alaska, putting Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline off the right side of the cabin during the turn. The left side only shows flat Illinois/Wisconsin farmland receding behind. Notable sights include: Chicago downtown skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, O'Hare's runway grid, northern Illinois farmland.
What can I see when landing at Chiang Kai Shek International in Taipei?
When landing at Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into TPE from the northeast Pacific route typically loop around to a final approach that puts Taiwan's interior on the right side, revealing the green volcanic ridgelines of the Yangmingshan/Datun range and the edge of the Taipei basin. The left side mostly faces the flat, featureless Taiwan Strait. Notable sights include: Yangmingshan (Datun volcanic peaks), Taipei basin, Tamsui River mouth, Taiwan Strait coastline.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Taipei?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) takes 15h 15m.
What does the Chicago to Taipei flight path pass over?
Western Canadian wilderness and boreal forest, the Gulf of Alaska and Alaska Range, the Aleutian chain and Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanic ridgeline, and the Japanese coastline near Hokkaido before crossing the East China Sea toward Taiwan