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BHM → HOU
Which side of the plane to sit from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (Birmingham) to William P Hobby Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior vantage point for the dramatic transition from the deep woods of Alabama to the sprawling wetlands of the Gulf Coast and the intricate Mississippi River Delta.
Mississippi River Delta
View the massive, winding path of the Mississippi River as it nears the Gulf, featuring complex oxbow lakes and sediment-rich waters.
Atchafalaya Basin
Look down upon the largest river swamp in the United States, a mesmerizing tapestry of bayous, marshes, and cypress trees.
Galveston Bay
As you approach Houston, see the massive tankers navigating the ship channels and the sprawling coastal infrastructure.
Gulf Coastline
Enjoy views of the white sand fringes and emerald waters along the Louisiana and Texas border regions.
Port Arthur Refineries
Witness the immense scale of the Gulf Coast's industrial heart with a bird's-eye view of major refineries and ports.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid the harsh glare of the southern sun. Keep your camera ready as you cross the Louisiana-Texas border, as the change from swamp to industrial coast is visually striking. During summer months, watch for massive towering cumulus clouds over the Gulf which provide scale to the horizon.
Houston Skyline
On the final approach into Hobby Airport, this side often catches a clear view of the Downtown Houston skyscrapers.
East Texas Piney Woods
Fly over the dense, deep green canopy of the Sabine and Angelina National Forests.
Lake Livingston
A massive reservoir that serves as a primary landmark when crossing into the Texas interior.
Black Warrior River
Visible shortly after takeoff from BHM, showing the industrial roots of the Alabama landscape.
North Houston Suburbs
Observe the planned communities and winding suburban streets that define the outer rings of the Houston metroplex.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to catch the sunset over the Texas horizon. If the flight path approaches HOU from the north, this side offers the most direct view of the city's central business district. Look for the distinct change in soil color from the red clay of Alabama to the dark coastal soils of Texas.
Distance: 917 km (570 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 32 min
Departure: BHM (33.56290054, -86.75350189)
Arrival: HOU (29.64539909, -95.27890015)
Route Type: Domestic
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