Houston to New York flight path: HOU to LGA

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to New York. The right side wins on both ends of the flight — a glimpse of the Houston skyline and Galveston Bay at departure, and a much stronger payoff with the Manhattan skyline and East River during the LGA approach turn. The left side offers comparatively featureless farmland and suburbs for most of the route.

During takeoff from William P Hobby (HOU), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing HOU to the northeast typically uses runway 31L, and the right turn onto course briefly swings the downtown Houston skyline and the refineries along Galveston Bay into view on the right side. The left side mostly shows flat southwest Houston suburbs with little contrast. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel refineries, Galveston Bay.

When landing at La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into LGA from the south and southwest commonly swing over Long Island Sound or the East River before turning onto final, putting the Manhattan skyline and the East River bridges on the right side of the aircraft. The left side during this turn mostly faces the flatter residential expanse of Queens and New Jersey. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, East River, Long Island Sound, Rikers Island.

The flight from William P Hobby (HOU) to La Guardia (LGA) takes about 3 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,426 miles (2,295 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Mississippi River delta region near Baton Rouge, rolling hill country of Mississippi and Alabama, the southern Appalachian foothills near Tennessee and Virginia, and the Chesapeake Bay as the route approaches the East Coast.