About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Orlando International (MCO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Orlando. The right side wins overall. While left gives a decent Houston departure view, the right side captures the better arrival experience over Orlando's lake-studded landscape. During the cruise portion heading east-southeast, the right side also faces south toward the Gulf of Mexico coastline of Louisiana and Mississippi as you cross, offering occasional glimpses of coastal marshland and barrier islands.
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 east on runways 8L/8R or northeast on 15L/15R. A left-side seat gives you a view back over downtown Houston's skyline as you climb out, plus the sprawling Ship Channel and Galveston Bay to the southeast. Right side faces mostly suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay, Lake Houston reservoir.
What can I see when landing at Orlando International in Orlando?
When landing at Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Right side for the best views. MCO primarily lands from the west on runways 17L/17R or from the north on runways 18L/18R, meaning the approach tracks southward over central Florida. The right side gives you a clear view of the chain of lakes that defines the Orlando metro, including Lake Apopka and the Disney-area lakes to the southwest. Left side faces mostly pine flatwoods. Notable sights include: Lake Apopka, chain of lakes through Orlando metro, Walt Disney World resort area (visible as large developed complex with lagoons), Orlando downtown skyline.
How long is the flight from Houston to Orlando?
The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Orlando International (MCO) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Houston to Orlando flight path pass over?
The flight tracks east-southeast across Louisiana's coastal marshes and the Mississippi River delta region, then across southern Mississippi and Alabama before cutting across the Florida Panhandle near Pensacola. The route then crosses north-central Florida's flat pine forests and lake country. The Mississippi River crossing near New Orleans is the most visually distinctive midpoint feature, with the river's broad meanders visible from cruise altitude.