Left side wins both ends of this flight. Over Houston you get the city and Ship Channel on departure, and over London you get the Thames and central London on the classic westerly Heathrow approach. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either end.
Flown HOU to LHR? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Houston to London is 4,839 miles (7,787 km), a flight of about 9 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks northeast from Houston across the Gulf Coast states, then over the US Mid-Atlantic coast near the Carolinas before crossing the North Atlantic. Mid-flight features include the Canadian Maritime coastline, the southern tip of Greenland visible as a white ice-capped landmass on the northern horizon, and the Irish coastline as the first European landfall. The UK approach passes over Wales or southern England depending on routing.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from HOU
LEFTHobby typically departs northeast on runway 22/04 or uses runway 13R/31L. On a northeastward departure routing toward the Atlantic, the left side faces northwest toward downtown Houston. You get a clear view of the Houston skyline, the Ship Channel, and the sprawling urban grid before the aircraft turns northeast.
Landing at LHR
LEFTHeathrow predominantly lands on westerly headings (runway 27L/27R), approaching from the east over central London. The left side on this approach gives you a direct view south over the Thames, the City of London, and the full sweep of central London landmarks as the aircraft descends through 3,000-6,000 feet.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from William P Hobby (HOU) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to London. Left side wins both ends of this flight. Over Houston you get the city and Ship Channel on departure, and over London you get the Thames and central London on the classic westerly Heathrow approach. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either end.
What can I see during takeoff from William P Hobby in Houston?
During takeoff from William P Hobby (HOU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Hobby typically departs northeast on runway 22/04 or uses runway 13R/31L. On a northeastward departure routing toward the Atlantic, the left side faces northwest toward downtown Houston. You get a clear view of the Houston skyline, the Ship Channel, and the sprawling urban grid before the aircraft turns northeast. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel and turning basin, Clear Lake and NASA Johnson Space Center to the southeast, Buffalo Bayou corridor.
What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?
When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow predominantly lands on westerly headings (runway 27L/27R), approaching from the east over central London. The left side on this approach gives you a direct view south over the Thames, the City of London, and the full sweep of central London landmarks as the aircraft descends through 3,000-6,000 feet. Notable sights include: Thames River and its bends through central London, City of London and Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the west, M25 motorway ring.
How long is the flight from Houston to London?
The flight from William P Hobby (HOU) to Heathrow (LHR) takes about 9 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,839 miles (7,787 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Houston to London flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast from Houston across the Gulf Coast states, then over the US Mid-Atlantic coast near the Carolinas before crossing the North Atlantic. Mid-flight features include the Canadian Maritime coastline, the southern tip of Greenland visible as a white ice-capped landmass on the northern horizon, and the Irish coastline as the first European landfall. The UK approach passes over Wales or southern England depending on routing.