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ONT → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Ontario International Airport (Ontario) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the high desert plateaus, the rugged Mogollon Rim in Arizona, and better lighting for photography on this eastbound route.
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San Bernardino Mountains
Immediate views of Mount San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) and the rugged peaks north of the Inland Empire right after takeoff.
Mojave National Preserve
Expansive views of desert valleys, cinder cones, and the vast Joshua tree forests of the high desert.
Lake Havasu
The deep blue waters of the Colorado River cutting through the stark red rock canyons on the CA-AZ border.
Mogollon Rim
The dramatic geological cliff that defines the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona.
Painted Desert
Vibrant, multi-colored badlands and sedimentary layers visible as you cross into eastern Arizona and New Mexico.
Albuquerque & Sandia Peak
Distant northern views of the Rio Grande valley and the towering Sandia Mountains in New Mexico.
Sit on the left (North-facing) for morning flights to avoid the harsh southern sun glare. This side provides the best perspective of the transition from the Mojave Desert to the high-altitude pine forests of the Southwest. During winter, look for significant snow cover on the Arizona peaks.
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San Jacinto Peak
The massive 10,000-foot granite face towering over Palm Springs shortly after departure.
Salton Sea
The large, reflective saline rift lake situated below sea level in the Imperial Valley.
Sonoran Desert
Views of the diverse desert landscape featuring Saguaro cacti and volcanic fields in southern Arizona.
Guadalupe Mountains
Home to El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, visible as you cross the NM-TX border.
Houston Skyline
During the final descent into IAH from the west, catch the impressive skyscraper clusters of downtown and the Medical Center.
The right side is excellent for sunset views as you approach Houston in the late afternoon. However, the southern exposure means you will face direct sunlight for most of the trip; keep your window shade down periodically to keep the seat cool. Watch for the dramatic shift from the brown West Texas plains to the green Piney Woods near Houston.
Book Hotels in HoustonDistance: 2,142 km (1,331 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 51 min
Departure: ONT (34.05599975585937, -117.60099792480467)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
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