Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over West Texas and New Mexico you also get better views of the Guadalupe Mountains and the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico on the left side as the route tracks northwest. The Los Angeles Basin arrival view on the left at ONT is the highlight of the flight.
Flown IAH to ONT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Houston to Ontario is 1,331 miles (2,142 km), a flight of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
The route crosses the Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio, then the Permian Basin flatlands, the Guadalupe Mountains near the TX/NM border (highest point in Texas at 8,749 ft), the Sacramento Mountains and Tularosa Basin of New Mexico including White Sands if routing allows, then the Sonoran Desert of Arizona before crossing the Colorado River into California and climbing over the San Bernardino Mountains into the Inland Empire
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAH
LEFTIAH primarily departs westbound on runways 26L/26R or northwestbound on 15L/15R. A left/south-facing seat gives you a view back over downtown Houston's skyline and the Ship Channel industrial complex as you climb out heading west. You can also see the sprawling suburban grid of the Houston metro and Galveston Bay in the distance to the southeast.
Landing at ONT
LEFTONT typically lands on runways 26L/26R approaching from the east, meaning the aircraft tracks westbound with the San Gabriel Mountains and San Bernardino Mountains to the north. A left/south-facing seat gives you the best view of the Los Angeles Basin sprawl, the Inland Empire cities, and on clear days the Santa Ana Mountains. The right side faces the San Bernardino range which is impressive but the basin panorama on the left is more expansive.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Ontario International (ONT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Ontario. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over West Texas and New Mexico you also get better views of the Guadalupe Mountains and the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico on the left side as the route tracks northwest. The Los Angeles Basin arrival view on the left at ONT is the highlight of the flight.
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 primarily departs westbound on runways 26L/26R or northwestbound on 15L/15R. A left/south-facing seat gives you a view back over downtown Houston's skyline and the Ship Channel industrial complex as you climb out heading west. You can also see the sprawling suburban grid of the Houston metro and Galveston Bay in the distance to the southeast. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel and refineries, Galveston Bay, Lake Houston to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Ontario International in Ontario?
When landing at Ontario International (ONT), sit on the Left side for the best views. ONT typically lands on runways 26L/26R approaching from the east, meaning the aircraft tracks westbound with the San Gabriel Mountains and San Bernardino Mountains to the north. A left/south-facing seat gives you the best view of the Los Angeles Basin sprawl, the Inland Empire cities, and on clear days the Santa Ana Mountains. The right side faces the San Bernardino range which is impressive but the basin panorama on the left is more expansive. Notable sights include: Inland Empire urban grid (San Bernardino, Riverside), Los Angeles Basin extending west, Santa Ana Mountains to the south, Mount San Jacinto visible to the southeast on clear days.
How long is the flight from Houston to Ontario?
The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Ontario International (ONT) takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,331 miles (2,142 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Houston to Ontario flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio, then the Permian Basin flatlands, the Guadalupe Mountains near the TX/NM border (highest point in Texas at 8,749 ft), the Sacramento Mountains and Tularosa Basin of New Mexico including White Sands if routing allows, then the Sonoran Desert of Arizona before crossing the Colorado River into California and climbing over the San Bernardino Mountains into the Inland Empire