Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Cairo. The Cairo approach on the right side delivers one of the most iconic aerial views in the world — the Pyramids, the Nile Delta, and the green-to-desert boundary all at once. The Houston departure on the left is interesting but the flat coastal plain limits drama. Right side wins overall for the landing alone.

During takeoff from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH), sit on the Left side for the best views. IAH typically departs north or northeast on runways 26L/26R or 15L/15R. On a northeast departure toward the Atlantic, the left side faces northwest and then north, giving views over downtown Houston's skyline and the sprawling Houston Ship Channel complex. The right side faces south toward open suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel and refinery complex, Lake Houston to the northeast, Galveston Bay glinting to the south-southeast.

When landing at Cairo International (CAI), sit on the Right side for the best views. Cairo International typically receives aircraft from the west or northwest, with runways 05C/23C and 05L/23L oriented roughly northeast-southwest. On approach from the west, the right side faces south, giving a direct view over the Nile Delta, the Pyramids of Giza plateau, and the transition from green Nile valley to the Eastern Desert. The left side faces north toward the Mediterranean coast and the flat northern Delta, which is less dramatic. Notable sights include: Pyramids of Giza plateau, Nile River and its Delta fan, Cairo urban sprawl, the sharp green-to-desert boundary of the Nile Valley.

The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Cairo International (CAI) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours nonstop, though many routings connect through European hubs adding 4 to 6 hours.

The route crosses the Gulf of Mexico, then the Atlantic Ocean toward the Azores, crosses southern Europe over Spain and the Mediterranean Sea, passes over the Italian peninsula or Greece depending on routing, then crosses the Eastern Mediterranean before descending over the Nile Delta. The Alps may be visible as a distant white ridge if routing goes through central Europe. The Mediterranean coastline of North Africa is visible on descent.