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ABQ → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Albuquerque International Sunport (Albuquerque) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers an immediate and dramatic view of the Sandia Mountains upon takeoff, followed by a scenic transition from the high desert of New Mexico to the lush pine forests of East Texas.
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Sandia Mountains
Towering 10,000-foot peaks immediately north of Albuquerque seen during the initial climb.
Llano Estacado
The vast, flat 'Staked Plains' of West Texas, appearing as a geometric patchwork of farmland.
Lubbock
The urban layout of the 'Hub City' is often visible as you cross into the Texas Panhandle.
Sam Houston National Forest
Extensive pine canopy providing a vivid green contrast as you begin the descent into Houston.
Lake Conroe
A large, sparkling reservoir located just north of the IAH airport complex.
Book a window seat on the left for morning flights to see the Sandia Mountains bathed in sunlight. As you approach Houston, watch for the shift from brown desert tones to the deep greens of the East Texas 'Piney Woods'. Keep an eye out for Lake Conroe during the final 15 minutes of flight.
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Manzano Mountains
The rugged southern neighbor to the Sandias, visible shortly after departing ABQ.
Permian Basin
Evidence of energy production with sprawling oil fields and infrastructure near Midland.
Brazos River
The long, winding river that snakes through the Texas landscape toward the Gulf.
Houston Skyline
On southern approach patterns, the downtown skyscrapers may be visible in the distance.
Ellington Field
Occasional views of the NASA-adjacent airfield during specific arrival vectors.
The right side is preferable for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the southern sun. Watch for the meandering loops of the Brazos River during the mid-portion of the trip. If the flight approaches IAH from the west, you may catch a distant glimpse of the downtown Houston skyline.
Book Hotels in HoustonDistance: 1,196 km (743 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 36 min
Departure: ABQ (35.040199, -106.609001)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
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