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NRT → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Narita International Airport (Tokyo) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic scenery, featuring the volcanic Aleutian Islands, the rugged Alaskan coastline, and the best opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis during the overnight portion of the flight.
Aleutian Islands
A remote chain of volcanic islands stretching across the North Pacific toward Alaska.
Alaskan Glaciers
Massive ice fields and jagged coastal mountains visible as the flight enters North American airspace.
Aurora Borealis
High latitude paths provide an excellent chance to see the Northern Lights during the dark mid-flight hours.
Canadian Rockies
Snow-capped peaks and deep glacial valleys if the route tracks across British Columbia and Alberta.
The Great Plains
Expansive geometric patterns of agricultural heartlands stretching across the central United States.
Look out approximately 5 to 7 hours after departure for the Aleutian chain. For the best chance to see the Aurora, choose a flight that departs NRT in the evening; keep your window area dark to reduce glare. Seasonal ice coverage in the Bering Sea is most visible from January to March.
North Pacific Expanse
Endless blue horizons and dramatic cloud formations over one of the world's deepest ocean trenches.
High Desert Plateaus
Striking red rock formations and arid basins of the American West as you cross into the US.
Southern Rockies
Views of the Colorado or New Mexico mountain ranges depending on the specific flight path.
Texas Panhandle
The transition into the oil-rich plains and cattle country of North and West Texas.
Houston Skyline
Potential views of downtown Houston's skyscrapers during the final approach into Bush Intercontinental.
The right side is ideal for catching a spectacular sunrise as the plane moves east toward the morning. During the final 45 minutes of the flight, watch for the landscape to turn from brown desert to deep green as you enter the humid sub-tropical climate of East Texas. Use this side to avoid direct sun glare during the middle of the day.
Distance: 10,669 km (6,629 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 12 hrs 33 min
Departure: NRT (35.764701843299996, 140.386001587)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: International
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