Neither side offers dramatic scenery on this short, flat-terrain flight, but the right side edges out with a glimpse of distant Appalachian relief on departure and a Mississippi River crossing at cruise, while the left side stays mostly featureless until the Houston skyline appears late in the flight.
Flown RDU to IAH? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Raleigh-Durham to Houston is 1,041 miles (1,675 km), a flight of about 2 hours 55 minutes.
Rolling Piedmont and Appalachian foothills near the Georgia/Alabama border, flat farmland of central Alabama and Mississippi, and a crossing of the Mississippi River near Natchez before the terrain flattens into the coastal plain approaching Houston.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from RDU
RIGHTClimbing southwest out of RDU, the right side faces northwest toward the Piedmont foothills and, on clear days, the distant blue haze of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the NC/TN border. The left side only shows flat Piedmont farmland and suburban sprawl with no notable relief.
Landing at IAH
LEFTOn approach into IAH from the northeast, arrivals often curve toward the south side of the airport, putting Houston's downtown skyline and the dense grid of freeways on the left side of the aircraft. The right side mostly shows flat suburban subdivisions and refinery flatlands with less visual interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Raleigh-Durham to Houston. Neither side offers dramatic scenery on this short, flat-terrain flight, but the right side edges out with a glimpse of distant Appalachian relief on departure and a Mississippi River crossing at cruise, while the left side stays mostly featureless until the Houston skyline appears late in the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Raleigh Durham International in Raleigh-Durham?
During takeoff from Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Right side for the best views. Climbing southwest out of RDU, the right side faces northwest toward the Piedmont foothills and, on clear days, the distant blue haze of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the NC/TN border. The left side only shows flat Piedmont farmland and suburban sprawl with no notable relief. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge foothills (distant), Raleigh-Durham suburbs, Jordan Lake.
What can I see when landing at George Bush Intcntl Houston in Houston?
When landing at George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into IAH from the northeast, arrivals often curve toward the south side of the airport, putting Houston's downtown skyline and the dense grid of freeways on the left side of the aircraft. The right side mostly shows flat suburban subdivisions and refinery flatlands with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Sam Houston Tollway loop, Addicks/Barker reservoirs.
How long is the flight from Raleigh-Durham to Houston?
The flight from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) takes about 2 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,041 miles (1,675 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Raleigh-Durham to Houston flight path pass over?
Rolling Piedmont and Appalachian foothills near the Georgia/Alabama border, flat farmland of central Alabama and Mississippi, and a crossing of the Mississippi River near Natchez before the terrain flattens into the coastal plain approaching Houston.