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ORF → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Norfolk International Airport (Norfolk) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior vantage point for the dramatic transition from the Atlantic coastline to the sprawling Mississippi River Delta and the Gulf Coast's industrial landscape.
Search flights from ORF to IAH
Atlantic Coastline
Aerial views of the Outer Banks and the Carolina coast as the flight heads south-southwest.
Coastal Cities
Distant but clear views of historic Charleston and Savannah's marshy surroundings.
Mississippi Delta
The intricate, bird-foot pattern of the Mississippi River's entry into the Gulf of Mexico.
New Orleans & Lake Pontchartrain
A perfect view of the Crescent City nestled between the river and the massive Lake Pontchartrain.
Gulf Coast Industry
The dense network of refineries, shipping lanes, and ports approaching the Texas border.
On morning flights, the left side avoids direct glare while capturing the shimmer of the Atlantic. Look for the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world's longest bridge over water, about 45 minutes before landing. In summer, this side offers the best views of massive cumulonimbus cloud formations over the warm Gulf waters.
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Piedmont Plateau
Rolling hills and dense forest canopies of the Carolinas and Georgia.
Atlanta Sprawl
The vast urban landscape of the Atlanta metropolitan area, often visible from cruise altitude.
Agricultural Heartland
Geometric patterns of farmland across Alabama and Mississippi.
East Texas Piney Woods
The deep green expanse of the Sam Houston National Forest during the descent into IAH.
Lake Houston
Views of the recreational lake and upscale suburbs just before touchdown.
The right side is best for sunset views on late afternoon flights, though the sun can be intense at high altitudes. This side is better for spotting the skylines of inland hubs like Charlotte or Atlanta if the flight takes a more northerly corridor. Keep an eye out for the red clay earth typical of the Deep South visible through breaks in the clouds.
Book Hotels in HoustonDistance: 1,930 km (1,199 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 34 min
Departure: ORF (36.89459991455078, -76.20120239257812)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
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