Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Panama City to Houston. The left side wins overall because the Panama Canal and Pacific coastline at departure are genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. During cruise, the left side also faces south toward the Gulf of Mexico and Yucatan Peninsula as the route curves northwest, offering water views over the Gulf. The Houston arrival on the right is good but Houston's flat terrain is less dramatic than the Canal departure.

During takeoff from Tocumen International (PTY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Tocumen typically departs northwest on runway 03L/03R or northeast on 21L/21R. On a northbound departure toward Houston, a left-side seat gives you Panama City's skyline along the Pacific coast, the Bridge of the Americas spanning the Canal, and the Canal itself with its locks. The right side faces inland jungle with no comparable landmarks. Notable sights include: Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks, Bridge of the Americas, Panama City skyline along the Bay of Panama, Pacific Ocean coastline.

When landing at George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH), sit on the Right side for the best views. IAH typically lands from the southeast on runways oriented roughly 15/33. On approach from the south, the right side faces west and southwest, giving clear views of downtown Houston's skyline, the Houston Ship Channel, and the sprawling suburban grid. The left side faces east toward open flat farmland with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel and Port of Houston, Lake Houston to the northeast, suburban freeway grid of north Houston.

The flight from Tocumen International (PTY) to George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.

The route tracks northwest over the Caribbean Sea off the Costa Rican and Nicaraguan coasts, then crosses the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, offering views of the flat jungle canopy and possibly the Gulf of Mexico coastline near Campeche. The flight then crosses the Gulf of Mexico — a long overwater segment with no landmarks — before reaching the Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston Bay on descent into Houston.