About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Los Angeles. The right side wins overall. While the left side has a slight edge at Houston departure, the right side delivers the superior payoff: during the cruise over West Texas and New Mexico you get views of the Guadalupe Mountains and Sacramento Mountains, and the LAX arrival on the right gives you the iconic Santa Monica Mountains and LA Basin panorama, which is the more memorable visual experience of the two endpoints.
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 (south) side facing back toward downtown Houston's skyline and the ship channel industrial complex. You'll also see the sprawling suburban grid of Houston's west side spreading out below. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel, Lake Houston to the northeast, Galveston Bay glinting in the distance to the southeast.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX primarily lands eastbound on runways 24L/24R or 25L/25R, meaning the approach comes in from over the Pacific. The right (north) side gets a clear view of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, and the Los Angeles Basin spreading inland. The left side faces south toward the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the ocean. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles Basin urban grid, Santa Monica Bay.
How long is the flight from Houston to Los Angeles?
The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes.
What does the Houston to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over the Texas Hill Country, then crosses the Guadalupe Mountains near El Paso, the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico, the Chihuahuan Desert transitioning to the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona, the Colorado River near Blythe, and the low desert ranges of the Mojave before descending into the LA Basin. The El Paso/Juarez metro area is visible as a large binational city straddling the Rio Grande, and the Salton Sea in California's Imperial Valley is a distinctive inland body of water visible to the south on the right side.