Once the aircraft turns east after departure, left-side seats track the southern view across the Mojave Desert, Arizona desert terrain, and Texas Hill Country, and then deliver the Galveston Bay and Houston Ship Channel approach. Right side has the better LAX departure moment but is less rewarding for the majority of the flight.
Flown LAX to HOU? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to Houston is 1,387 miles (2,233 km), a flight of about 2 hours 55 minutes.
Mojave Desert and its dry lake beds over eastern California, the Colorado River crossing near the Arizona-California border, Phoenix metro area visible to the north, Sonoran Desert across southern Arizona and New Mexico, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, the flat Chihuahuan Desert scrubland of west Texas, and the gradual transition to the Texas Hill Country and Edwards Plateau before descending into the Gulf Coastal Plain
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX typically departs westward over the ocean before turning east. On a right-side seat, as the aircraft banks left (south then east), you get a sweeping view back over the LA basin, the Santa Monica Mountains, and downtown LA skyline. Left-side passengers face the Pacific during the initial climb.
Landing at HOU
LEFTHobby Airport typically lands from the east or southeast on runways 04/13, meaning the approach comes in over the Gulf coastal plain from the south. Left-side seats get a view over Galveston Bay, the Houston Ship Channel industrial corridor, and the downtown Houston skyline as you descend from the south.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to William P Hobby (HOU)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Houston. Once the aircraft turns east after departure, left-side seats track the southern view across the Mojave Desert, Arizona desert terrain, and Texas Hill Country, and then deliver the Galveston Bay and Houston Ship Channel approach. Right side has the better LAX departure moment but is less rewarding for the majority of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically departs westward over the ocean before turning east. On a right-side seat, as the aircraft banks left (south then east), you get a sweeping view back over the LA basin, the Santa Monica Mountains, and downtown LA skyline. Left-side passengers face the Pacific during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Downtown LA skyline, Santa Monica Mountains, Griffith Observatory area, San Gabriel Mountains in the distance.
What can I see when landing at William P Hobby in Houston?
When landing at William P Hobby (HOU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Hobby Airport typically lands from the east or southeast on runways 04/13, meaning the approach comes in over the Gulf coastal plain from the south. Left-side seats get a view over Galveston Bay, the Houston Ship Channel industrial corridor, and the downtown Houston skyline as you descend from the south. Notable sights include: Galveston Bay, Houston Ship Channel refineries, downtown Houston skyline, Clear Lake area.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Houston?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to William P Hobby (HOU) takes about 2 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,387 miles (2,233 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Houston flight path pass over?
Mojave Desert and its dry lake beds over eastern California, the Colorado River crossing near the Arizona-California border, Phoenix metro area visible to the north, Sonoran Desert across southern Arizona and New Mexico, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, the flat Chihuahuan Desert scrubland of west Texas, and the gradual transition to the Texas Hill Country and Edwards Plateau before descending into the Gulf Coastal Plain