The Las Vegas arrival on the right side is the standout view of this flight — the Strip laid out below combined with the Spring Mountains on approach is genuinely spectacular. The departure from Houston on the left is good but the flat Texas terrain offers limited drama once you clear the city. Right side wins overall for the Las Vegas payoff.
Flown IAH to LAS? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Houston to Las Vegas is 1,220 miles (1,963 km), a flight of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
The flight crosses the Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio, then the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas and the Davis Mountains near Fort Davis. Over New Mexico the terrain rises through the Sacramento Mountains and the Rio Grande valley near Albuquerque is sometimes visible to the north. The flight then crosses the Colorado Plateau and Mogollon Rim of Arizona before descending into the Mojave Desert basin approaching Las Vegas. The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are often visible on the right during descent.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAH
LEFTIAH typically departs northwest on runways 26L/26R or north on 15L/15R. A northwest departure puts the left side facing south toward downtown Houston's skyline and the Ship Channel industrial complex. You get a clear view of the urban core before the aircraft banks west.
Landing at LAS
RIGHTLas Vegas is typically approached from the east or southeast, with landings on runways 26L/26R heading west or northwest. A right-side seat on approach gives you the Las Vegas Strip laid out below and the Spring Mountains including Charleston Peak directly ahead to the west. Left side faces north toward open desert.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Mc Carran International (LAS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Las Vegas. The Las Vegas arrival on the right side is the standout view of this flight — the Strip laid out below combined with the Spring Mountains on approach is genuinely spectacular. The departure from Houston on the left is good but the flat Texas terrain offers limited drama once you clear the city. Right side wins overall for the Las Vegas payoff.
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 northwest on runways 26L/26R or north on 15L/15R. A northwest departure puts the left side facing south toward downtown Houston's skyline and the Ship Channel industrial complex. You get a clear view of the urban core before the aircraft banks west. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel and turning basin, Galveston Bay glinting to the southeast, Lake Houston to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Mc Carran International in Las Vegas?
When landing at Mc Carran International (LAS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Las Vegas is typically approached from the east or southeast, with landings on runways 26L/26R heading west or northwest. A right-side seat on approach gives you the Las Vegas Strip laid out below and the Spring Mountains including Charleston Peak directly ahead to the west. Left side faces north toward open desert. Notable sights include: Las Vegas Strip casino corridor, Spring Mountains and Charleston Peak (11,918 ft) to the west, Lake Mead reservoir to the northeast visible during descent, Frenchman Mountain to the east.
How long is the flight from Houston to Las Vegas?
The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Mc Carran International (LAS) takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,220 miles (1,963 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Houston to Las Vegas flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio, then the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas and the Davis Mountains near Fort Davis. Over New Mexico the terrain rises through the Sacramento Mountains and the Rio Grande valley near Albuquerque is sometimes visible to the north. The flight then crosses the Colorado Plateau and Mogollon Rim of Arizona before descending into the Mojave Desert basin approaching Las Vegas. The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are often visible on the right during descent.