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SJU โ IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (San Juan) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides an iconic view of historic Old San Juan and the coastline immediately after takeoff, plus the best perspective of Galveston Bay and the Houston skyline during the descent into IAH.
Old San Juan
Direct views of the historic fortresses El Morro and San Cristรณbal guarding the harbor entrance.
Puerto Rico North Coast
Spectacular views of the turquoise Atlantic waters meeting the white sand beaches of Condado and Isla Verde.
Galveston Bay
As you descend into Texas, watch for the Kemah Boardwalk and the intricate coastline of the bay.
Port of Houston
A bird's eye view of one of the world's busiest industrial ports and the Houston Ship Channel.
Houston Skyline
The cluster of skyscrapers in Downtown Houston is often visible to the south during the final approach vectors.
Book a window seat on the left (A) for the best departure photos of San Juan. For afternoon flights, the sun will be on the left side of the aircraft for the majority of the westward journey, so keep your window shade down during the mid-flight Gulf crossing to avoid glare until the descent begins.
Bahamian Cays
Depending on the specific airway, you may see the distant emerald patterns of the western Bahamas or the Florida Keys.
Offshore Oil Rigs
Look for the tiny industrial specks and platforms scattered across the deep blue of the Gulf of Mexico.
Louisiana Wetlands
The intricate, fractal-like patterns of the Mississippi Delta marshes as the plane nears the Texas border.
East Texas Piney Woods
Dense green forests and suburban developments north of Houston as the plane lines up for the runway.
The right side (F) is ideal for morning flights as you will be facing away from the direct sun. It offers a more serene view of the open ocean and is better for spotting the vast network of oil platforms in the Gulf. It also provides a great view of the lush, wooded areas north of IAH during landing.
Distance: 3,228 km (2,006 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 48 min
Departure: SJU (18.4393997192, -66.0018005371)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: International
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