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IAH → PSP
Which side of the plane to sit from George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston) to Palm Springs International Airport (Palm Springs)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides a front-row seat to the rugged beauty of the Arizona desert and the dramatic transition into the Coachella Valley via the Mojave-Colorado desert boundary, including Joshua Tree.
Search flights from IAH to PSP
Texas Hill Country
View the rolling green hills and limestone plateaus of central Texas shortly after leaving the coastal plains.
Phoenix Metro
Excellent views of the massive Phoenix urban sprawl, Papago Park, and Camelback Mountain mid-flight.
Joshua Tree National Park
Stunning perspectives of the unique quartz monzonite rock formations and dense Mojave desert forests.
San Gorgonio Mountain
The highest peak in Southern California, often snow-capped, providing a dramatic landmark on the north side of the pass.
San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm
Thousands of white wind turbines dotting the valley floor as the plane maneuvers into the Coachella Valley.
The right side is unbeatable for the approach into PSP. You will fly directly past the San Bernardino mountains and get a top-down view of the high desert. For the best photography, late afternoon flights provide long shadows that accentuate the desert topography and rock formations in Joshua Tree.
Book Hotels in Palm SpringsSpace City Departure
Catch views of downtown Houston and the sprawling medical center shortly after takeoff from IAH.
Saguaro National Park
Aerial views of the iconic cactus-filled landscapes and rugged terrain near Tucson, Arizona.
Salton Sea
A massive, shimmering inland lake that creates a stark blue contrast against the surrounding brown desert floor.
San Jacinto Peak
The towering 10,834-foot granite peak that looms directly over the Palm Springs valley floor during landing.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid direct glare while tracking the Mexican borderlands in the distance. The view of the Salton Sea is a major highlight on the final approach when the plane descends from the east; look for the shimmering water about 15 minutes before landing.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 2,039 km (1,267 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 43 min
Departure: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Arrival: PSP (33.829700469970696, -116.50700378417967)
Route Type: Domestic
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