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HOU destination photo
RDU destination photo

HOURDU

Our Recommendation
8.2

Left Side of the Plane

The left side provides an excellent vantage point for the Houston skyline during departure and a stunning view of the Appalachian Mountains and Research Triangle Park on the descent into Raleigh.

Left Side Highlights
8.2
🌆

Houston Skyline

Immediate views of the Downtown Houston skyscrapers and the Texas Medical Center shortly after takeoff.

🌊

Mississippi River

A massive crossing over the winding river near the borders of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

🌳

Tennessee Valley

Lush green landscapes and rolling hills as the flight progresses through the mid-South.

⛰️

Great Smoky Mountains

Distant but majestic views of the blue-toned ridges of the Southern Appalachians to the northwest.

🔬

Research Triangle Park

Aerial views of the sprawling tech and research campuses just before touching down at RDU.

Choose the left side for evening flights to catch the sunset over the Appalachian range. For morning flights, this side remains shaded, reducing glare for photography. During the final approach, keep your camera ready for the dense forest canopy of North Carolina's Piedmont region.

Right Side Highlights
7.6
🏖️

Gulf Coastal Plains

Aerial perspective of the marshlands and bayous of southeast Texas and southern Louisiana.

🚜

Mississippi Delta

Intricate agricultural patterns and irrigation networks across the fertile delta plains.

💧

Georgia Reservoirs

Spotted views of large man-made lakes like Lake Lanier depending on the specific flight corridor.

🏙️

Charlotte Metro

Potential views of the Queen City's skyline if the flight path tracks slightly further south.

🏛️

Raleigh State Capitol

Clear views of the North Carolina state capital's downtown area during the southern approach.

The right side is ideal for early morning flights to see the sunrise over the Atlantic coastal plain. During winter months, the agricultural patterns of the South are particularly stark and interesting from this side. Watch for the transition from flat coastal plains to the gently rolling hills of the Piedmont.

Top Activities in Raleigh-durham
Route Information

Distance: 1,688 km (1,049 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 15 min

Departure: HOU (29.64539909, -95.27890015)

Arrival: RDU (35.877601623535156, -78.7874984741211)

Route Type: Domestic

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