Loading map...
IAH → IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most dramatic views of the Appalachian Mountain spine, including the Great Smoky Mountains and the scenic Shenandoah Valley.
Search flights from IAH to IAD
Sam Houston National Forest
Lush evergreen canopies of East Texas visible shortly after departure from IAH.
Great Smoky Mountains
Stunning aerial vistas of the mist-covered peaks along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
Shenandoah Valley
The iconic patchwork of farms and rolling hills between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains.
University of Virginia
Distant views of Charlottesville and the historic campus during the descent phase.
For afternoon flights, the left side is shaded from the harsh sun, making it ideal for photography of the mountain ranges. Ensure you are seated forward of the wing to capture the descent into the Virginia countryside clearly.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United States
Southeastern Metro Areas
Distant views of the sprawling urban centers of Birmingham and Atlanta across the horizon.
Blue Ridge Foothills
The gentle transition from the Piedmont plateau into the rising Appalachian slopes.
Potomac River
Aerial views of the winding river and the Maryland-Virginia border during final approach.
Reston Tech Corridor
High-altitude views of the modern office complexes and suburban development near Dulles.
The right side is best for morning flights to avoid the rising sun. During the landing sequence at IAD, keep an eye out for the distinct terminal architecture designed by Eero Saarinen visible during certain runway approaches.
Book Hotels in WashingtonDistance: 1,913 km (1,189 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 33 min
Departure: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.