Loading map...
LAS β IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is slightly superior for this route due to the spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip and the Hoover Dam immediately after takeoff, followed by the rugged Mogollon Rim and a higher probability of seeing the Houston skyline on arrival.
Las Vegas Strip
A world-class view of the mega-resorts and Bellagio fountains during the initial climb out of LAS.
Hoover Dam
The massive concrete arch of the dam and the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
Mogollon Rim
The dramatic southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, featuring vast Ponderosa pine forests.
Very Large Array
The famous radio astronomy observatory in New Mexico, visible as a series of white dots on the desert floor.
Houston Skyline
Depending on the approach pattern into IAH, you often get a clear view of the downtown towers and the Medical Center.
Sit on the right side for the 'money shot' of the Las Vegas Stripβit is often visible within the first 3-5 minutes of flight. This side can be quite sunny during the day, so bring sunglasses. On the approach to Houston, watch for the dense urban sprawl and the complex freeway interchanges unique to Texas.
Lake Mead North Shore
Aerial views of the largest reservoir in the US, showing the stark contrast between deep blue water and desert rock.
Painted Desert
Vibrant, stratified layers of siltstone and mudstone stretching across northern Arizona.
Sandia Mountains
The high peaks bordering Albuquerque, providing a dramatic vertical rise from the Rio Grande Valley.
Llano Estacado
The vast, flat 'Staked Plains' of the Texas Panhandle, known for their unique agricultural patterns.
Sam Houston National Forest
Dense pine forests signaling your transition into the humid, green landscape of East Texas.
The left side is the best choice for morning flights to avoid the direct southern sun. Look out for the colorful erosion of the Painted Desert mid-flight. For those interested in geology, this side offers the best view of the transition from the Basin and Range province to the Great Plains.
Distance: 1,963 km (1,220 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 37 min
Departure: LAS (36.08010101, -115.1520004)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.