Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Tampa. While the left side has a decent Houston departure view, the right side delivers the dramatic Tampa Bay arrival with the Sunshine Skyway and the water-surrounded MacDill peninsula. The right side also picks up views of the Gulf of Mexico coastline and Louisiana bayou country during the cruise portion of the flight.

During takeoff from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH), sit on the Left side for the best views. IAH's primary departures heading southeast or east put the left (north) side facing back toward downtown Houston's skyline as the aircraft climbs and turns. You get a clear view of the Houston Ship Channel and the sprawling urban grid spreading south toward the Gulf. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel, Lake Houston to the northeast, suburban sprawl of Harris County.

When landing at Macdill Afb (MCF), sit on the Right side for the best views. MacDill AFB sits on a peninsula jutting into Tampa Bay, and aircraft typically approach from the north or northeast on runway 04/22. A right-side seat gives you the best view of Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and the St. Petersburg peninsula as you descend. Notable sights include: Tampa Bay, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, St. Petersburg peninsula, Hillsborough Bay.

The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Macdill Afb (MCF) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

The flight tracks east-southeast across Louisiana's coastal marshes and the Mississippi River delta region, then crosses the Gulf of Mexico's northeastern corner before reaching Florida's Gulf Coast near the Big Bend area. The transition from the flat Texas-Louisiana coastal plain to open Gulf water is the most visually notable mid-flight feature.