Loading map...
IST → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more diverse range of scenery, including the dramatic fjords of Southern Greenland and the long descent over the diverse landscapes of the Eastern United States and the Appalachian Mountains.
Search flights from IST to IAH
Black Sea & Balkans
Initial views of the Turkish coastline transitioning into the rugged terrain of Bulgaria and Romania.
Southern Greenland Fjords
Spectacular views of jagged coastal mountains and icebergs drifting in the deep blue North Atlantic waters.
US Eastern Seaboard
Distant views of major metropolitan areas like Boston and New York City as the flight tracks south-southwest.
Appalachian Mountains
The rolling, forested ridges of the oldest mountain range in North America visible for a significant portion of the US transit.
East Texas Piney Woods
The lush green landscape and winding rivers of Eastern Texas during the final descent into Houston.
On this westbound daylight flight, the sun will be on the left side of the aircraft for most of the duration. While this offers excellent lighting for the Greenland coast, be prepared for significant glare; keep your window shade partially closed when not actively viewing. The best coastal views occur roughly 6-8 hours into the flight.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for United States
Scandinavian Wilderness
Vast stretches of Swedish and Norwegian forests and lakes visible during the early stages of the Great Circle route.
Central Greenland Ice Cap
An awe-inspiring, seemingly endless expanse of the massive Greenlandic inland ice sheet.
Baffin Island
Rugged Arctic islands and frozen channels in Northern Canada, showcasing extreme polar geography.
The Great Lakes
Depending on the specific flight path, views of the massive surface areas of Lake Ontario or Lake Erie.
Midwestern Patchwork
The iconic 'grid' pattern of American agriculture and farmland across the Midwest and Central US.
The right side is the 'shadow' side for this route, making it much easier to take photos without cabin reflections or sun glare. If the flight occurs during the shorter days of winter, this is the side to watch for the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) while crossing the North Atlantic and Northern Canada.
Book Hotels in HoustonDistance: 10,232 km (6,358 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 12 hrs 2 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.