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IAH → SAL
Which side of the plane to sit from George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston) to Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (San Salvador)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic volcanic chain of Central America, including the massive peaks of Guatemala and El Salvador during the final hour of flight.
Galveston Island
Look down at the historic seawall and the long sandy stretches of the Texas coastline immediately after takeoff.
Petén Rainforest
As you enter Central American airspace, view the dense, lush green canopy of the Mayan biosphere.
Guatemalan Volcanic Arc
Breathtaking views of the peaks of Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango towering above the clouds.
Izalco and Santa Ana Volcanoes
Stunning close-ups of El Salvador's famous 'Lighthouse of the Pacific' and the massive Santa Ana crater.
Approach into SAL
Views of the coastal plains and the transition from the volcanic highlands to the Pacific shore.
Sit here for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh glare of the sun. The right side is superior for volcano spotting; keep your camera ready about 45 minutes before landing as the aircraft begins its descent over the Guatemalan border.
Houston Ship Channel
View the massive industrial scale of the Port of Houston and the intricate waterways leading to the Gulf.
Gulf of Mexico
A long stretch of deep blue waters often dotted with offshore oil platforms near the Texas coast.
Sierra Madre de Chiapas
Distant views of the high mountain ridges running through southern Mexico and into Guatemala.
Pacific Coastline
The sweeping curve of the Central American coast where the land meets the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
Choose this side for early morning departures to catch a spectacular sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico. It is also the preferred side for viewing the sunrise glow on the Sierra Madre mountains mid-flight.
Distance: 1,950 km (1,212 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 36 min
Departure: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Arrival: SAL (13.4409, -89.055702)
Route Type: International
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