Houston to New York is 1,415 miles (2,278 km), a flight of about 3 hours 30 minutes.
Left side wins both ends of this flight. At takeoff you get the Houston skyline, and at landing you get one of the most iconic urban approaches in aviation — the full Manhattan panorama on descent into JFK. The right side offers little more than open water and suburban sprawl at both airports.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northeast over Louisiana, crossing the Mississippi River delta region near Baton Rouge, then over Mississippi and Alabama, clipping the corner of Tennessee or the Appalachian foothills of western North Carolina and Virginia, before descending over the Mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. The Appalachian ridgelines of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains are visible as parallel dark green corrugated ridges from both sides around the Virginia-North Carolina border region.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAH
LEFTIAH typically departs northeast on runways 26L/R or 15L/R. On a northeast departure toward JFK, the left (north/northwest) side gives you a clear view back over downtown Houston's skyline as you climb out over the flat Gulf Coastal Plain. The right side faces southeast toward open suburban sprawl with little of interest.
Landing at JFK
LEFTJFK typically lands on runways 13L/R (southeast approach) or 22L/R (southwest approach). On the common 13L/R approach from the southwest, the left side faces north and gives you a prolonged, spectacular view of Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River, the East River, and the full New York Harbor panorama as you descend over New Jersey and Brooklyn. The right side faces south over the open Atlantic and Jamaica Bay with far less urban drama.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to New York. Left side wins both ends of this flight. At takeoff you get the Houston skyline, and at landing you get one of the most iconic urban approaches in aviation — the full Manhattan panorama on descent into JFK. The right side offers little more than open water and suburban sprawl at both airports.
What can I see during takeoff from George Bush Intcntl Houston in Houston?
During takeoff from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH), sit on the Left side for the best views. IAH typically departs northeast on runways 26L/R or 15L/R. On a northeast departure toward JFK, the left (north/northwest) side gives you a clear view back over downtown Houston's skyline as you climb out over the flat Gulf Coastal Plain. The right side faces southeast toward open suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Buffalo Bayou corridor, Lake Houston to the northeast, Galveston Bay glinting to the southeast (visible from left rear windows briefly).
What can I see when landing at John F Kennedy International in New York?
When landing at John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK typically lands on runways 13L/R (southeast approach) or 22L/R (southwest approach). On the common 13L/R approach from the southwest, the left side faces north and gives you a prolonged, spectacular view of Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River, the East River, and the full New York Harbor panorama as you descend over New Jersey and Brooklyn. The right side faces south over the open Atlantic and Jamaica Bay with far less urban drama. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn waterfront.
How long is the flight from Houston to New York?
The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,415 miles (2,278 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Houston to New York flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast over Louisiana, crossing the Mississippi River delta region near Baton Rouge, then over Mississippi and Alabama, clipping the corner of Tennessee or the Appalachian foothills of western North Carolina and Virginia, before descending over the Mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. The Appalachian ridgelines of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains are visible as parallel dark green corrugated ridges from both sides around the Virginia-North Carolina border region.