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SJC → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (San Jose) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior vantage point for iconic Southwest landmarks, including the distant Grand Canyon, the striking White Sands of New Mexico, and the rugged transitions of the Continental Divide.
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Diablo Range
Immediately after takeoff, see Mount Hamilton and the Lick Observatory perched atop the rugged California ridges.
Mojave National Preserve
Expansive views of the high desert featuring ancient cinder cones and vast salt flats.
Grand Canyon (Distance)
On clear days, the northern horizon reveals the deep shadows and red layers of the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
Meteor Crater
A perfectly preserved impact site visible as a distinct bowl in the Arizona desert floor near Winslow.
White Sands National Park
The brilliant, shimmering white gypsum dunes of New Mexico stand out vividly against the surrounding brown basin.
Houston Skyline
Depending on the arrival pattern, catch a sweeping view of the downtown skyscrapers during the final descent into IAH.
For the best experience, choose a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat distortion. On morning flights, the sun will be on the right, making the left side perfectly lit for photography without glare. Look for the distinctive white patch of White Sands roughly two-thirds of the way through the flight.
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Tehachapi Wind Farm
Thousands of white wind turbines spinning across the mountain passes at the southern tip of the Sierras.
Sonoran Desert
The lush desert landscape of Southern Arizona, characterized by saguaro-covered hills and volcanic outcrops.
Phoenix & Scottsdale
A clear view of the sprawling Valley of the Sun and the distinctive silhouette of Camelback Mountain.
Organ Mountains
Sharp, needle-like granite peaks rising dramatically above the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Permian Basin Oil Fields
A massive grid of access roads and drill sites stretching across the West Texas horizon.
Texas Hill Country
The transition from arid desert to the rolling green hills and river valleys of Central Texas.
If flying in the late afternoon or evening, sit on the right to witness spectacular desert sunsets. At night, this side is particularly interesting over West Texas, where the oil fields create a 'carpet of stars' on the ground with thousands of twinkling lights and gas flares.
Book Hotels in HoustonDistance: 2,583 km (1,605 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 27 min
Departure: SJC (37.362598, -121.929001)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
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