Loading map...
BHM → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (Birmingham) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the winding Mississippi River's historic bends and the dense pine forests of East Texas, with better lighting for photography during afternoon flights.
Search flights from BHM to IAH
Mississippi River Bends
Spectacular views of the massive meanders and oxbow lakes near the Vicksburg and Natchez regions.
Kisatchie National Forest
Aerial perspectives of the rolling hills and deep pine forests of central Louisiana.
Toledo Bend Reservoir
One of the largest man-made reservoirs in the South, straddling the border of LA and TX.
Sam Houston Forest
The 'Piney Woods' of East Texas provide a lush green canopy just before beginning the descent.
Lake Livingston
A massive water body used as a primary water source for Houston, visible during the final approach phase.
The right side is ideal for capturing the geographic transition from the Deep South to the Texas plains. For the best experience, book an afternoon flight to keep the sun behind the plane, illuminating the Mississippi River and the East Texas lakes in golden light.
Book Hotels in Houston
Tombigbee River
Watch for the intricate, serpentine patterns of this major Alabama waterway shortly after takeoff.
Baton Rouge
A clear view of Louisiana's capital city and the Horace Wilkinson Bridge spanning the Mississippi.
Atchafalaya Basin
The nation's largest river swamp, featuring a stunning mosaic of wetlands, bayous, and marshes.
Sabine Pass
Massive industrial infrastructure and refineries along the Louisiana-Texas border near the Gulf.
Galveston Bay
Distant views of the Gulf of Mexico and the heavy maritime traffic heading toward the Port of Houston.
Sit on the left for better views of the industrial Gulf Coast and the vast Louisiana swamplands. However, be aware that morning flights on this side will face direct sun glare, making it difficult to see clearly or take photos without reflections.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 904 km (562 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 30 min
Departure: BHM (33.56290054, -86.75350189)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.