The left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise portion heading southwest, the left side also faces generally south and southeast, giving better views over Pennsylvania, West Virginia's ridgelines, Tennessee, and the Mississippi River crossing near Memphis. The right side faces northwest into open sky for most of the route.
Flown ROC to IAH? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Rochester to Houston is 1,331 miles (2,142 km), a flight of about 3 hours 30 minutes.
The flight tracks southwest over Pennsylvania's Allegheny Plateau, then crosses the Appalachian ridges of West Virginia and Kentucky, passes over Nashville and the Tennessee River valley, crosses the Mississippi River near Memphis, then traverses the flat Arkansas and Louisiana lowlands before entering the Texas Gulf Coast plain approaching Houston
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from ROC
LEFTROC typically departs southwest on runway 28/22, so the left (south) side gives you a clear view over the city of Rochester and Lake Ontario's southern shoreline as you climb out. You'll see the Genesee River cutting through downtown and the lake stretching to the north horizon.
Landing at IAH
LEFTIAH typically lands from the southeast on runways oriented roughly 15/33, meaning a northwesterly approach puts the left side facing southwest toward downtown Houston. The left seat gives you the best view of the Houston skyline, the Ship Channel, and the sprawling urban grid as you descend.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Greater Rochester International (ROC) to George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Rochester to Houston. The left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise portion heading southwest, the left side also faces generally south and southeast, giving better views over Pennsylvania, West Virginia's ridgelines, Tennessee, and the Mississippi River crossing near Memphis. The right side faces northwest into open sky for most of the route.
What can I see during takeoff from Greater Rochester International in Rochester?
During takeoff from Greater Rochester International (ROC), sit on the Left side for the best views. ROC typically departs southwest on runway 28/22, so the left (south) side gives you a clear view over the city of Rochester and Lake Ontario's southern shoreline as you climb out. You'll see the Genesee River cutting through downtown and the lake stretching to the north horizon. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario southern shoreline, Genesee River valley through Rochester, downtown Rochester grid, Finger Lakes region beginning to the southeast.
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. IAH typically lands from the southeast on runways oriented roughly 15/33, meaning a northwesterly approach puts the left side facing southwest toward downtown Houston. The left seat gives you the best view of the Houston skyline, the Ship Channel, and the sprawling urban grid as you descend. Notable sights include: Houston downtown skyline, Houston Ship Channel, Lake Houston to the northeast, Buffalo Bayou corridor.
How long is the flight from Rochester to Houston?
The flight from Greater Rochester International (ROC) to George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) takes about 3 hours 30 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 Rochester to Houston flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest over Pennsylvania's Allegheny Plateau, then crosses the Appalachian ridges of West Virginia and Kentucky, passes over Nashville and the Tennessee River valley, crosses the Mississippi River near Memphis, then traverses the flat Arkansas and Louisiana lowlands before entering the Texas Gulf Coast plain approaching Houston