About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Vancouver International (YVR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Vancouver. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the long cruise over the Pacific Northwest interior, the left side also faces east toward the Cascades and eventually the Coast Range, giving better mountain views on descent. Right side is mostly open ocean and flat farmland throughout.
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. On a northwest departure toward YVR, the left (south) side gives you a clear view back over downtown Houston's skyline and the Ship Channel industrial complex. The right side faces open suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel and refineries, Lake Houston to the northeast, Galveston Bay glinting in the distance.
What can I see when landing at Vancouver International in Vancouver?
When landing at Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. YVR's primary arrival from the south is runway 08L/08R or 26L/26R. Arriving from the southeast on approach over the Fraser River delta, the left side faces north toward downtown Vancouver, the North Shore mountains, and Burrard Inlet. The right side looks south over flat Richmond farmland and the Strait of Georgia. Notable sights include: Downtown Vancouver skyline, North Shore mountains (Coast Range) including Grouse and Seymour, Burrard Inlet, Fraser River delta farmland patchwork.
How long is the flight from Houston to Vancouver?
The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Vancouver International (YVR) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Houston to Vancouver flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over central Texas, then crosses the Red River into Oklahoma, continues over Kansas and Nebraska, crosses into Wyoming and Montana over the high plains, then enters the Pacific Northwest over Idaho and Washington state. The Cascade Range becomes visible in Washington, with volcanic peaks including Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens visible to the left side on descent. The Columbia River valley is crossed in southern Washington before entering the Fraser Valley approach corridor into YVR.