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DCA → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Washington) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the National Mall and D.C. monuments during departure, along with better angles of the Appalachian ridges and the Mississippi River crossing.
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National Mall
Unrivaled views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building if departing on the River Visual route.
Appalachian Ridges
Parallel mountain ridges of West Virginia and Tennessee offer a geometric and scenic spectacle from cruising altitude.
Mississippi River
Observe the massive, meandering loops and oxbow lakes of the Mississippi River near the Arkansas-Louisiana border.
Sam Houston National Forest
A vast expanse of dense pine forest that signals the final descent into the Houston metropolitan area.
The right side is essential for the 'River Visual' departure out of DCA; have your camera ready within the first 60 seconds of flight. For the best lighting on the Mississippi River, choose a morning flight to catch the reflection of the sun on the water.
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Pentagon and Crystal City
Immediate views of the world's largest office building and the urban sprawl of Northern Virginia right after takeoff.
Shenandoah Valley
Beautiful views of the rolling green valleys and the southern extent of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Tennessee River
The winding path of the Tennessee River provides a striking contrast against the forested landscape of the Southeast.
Houston Skyline
On many approach patterns into IAH from the north, the left side provides a distant view of the downtown skyscrapers.
Sit forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the Pentagon during the initial climb. Afternoon flights are ideal for the left side as the sun will be behind the aircraft, illuminating the landscape of the South.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 1,942 km (1,207 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 35 min
Departure: DCA (38.8521, -77.037697)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
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