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SNA → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport (Santa Ana) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the high desert plateaus, the dramatic Mogollon Rim in Arizona, and avoids the harsh direct southern sun for much of the eastbound journey.
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San Bernardino Mountains
After the steep SNA departure, look north to see the high peaks of Mount San Gorgonio and the surrounding national forest.
Mogollon Rim
A massive topographical feature in Arizona that defines the edge of the Colorado Plateau with dramatic cliffs.
Painted Desert
On clear days, the vibrant, multi-colored badlands of Northern Arizona are visible in the distance.
Pecos River
The winding river cuts through the rugged terrain of West Texas, creating a distinct line in the desert landscape.
Sam Houston National Forest
As the plane descends into IAH, the landscape transforms into the lush, dense pine forests of East Texas.
Sit on the left (Port) side to avoid the glare of the southern sun during midday flights. For afternoon departures, the left side provides the best lighting for photography of the Arizona desert and the San Jacinto mountains. Keep an eye out for the transition from the arid Mojave to the high plateaus of New Mexico about 90 minutes into the flight.
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Orange County Coast
During the initial climb, catch glimpses of Newport Beach and the Pacific Ocean before the plane banks east.
Salton Sea
A massive, shimmering saline lake in the California desert that stands out sharply against the brown terrain.
Sonoran Desert
Fly over the heart of Southern Arizona, featuring jagged mountain ranges and vast desert basins near Tucson.
Guadalupe Mountains
Look for El Capitan and the highest peaks in Texas as you cross the border from New Mexico into West Texas.
Houston Skyline
Depending on the approach pattern into IAH, the right side often provides a distant view of the Downtown Houston skyscrapers.
The right side is ideal for catching the sunset if flying in the late afternoon. However, be prepared for significant glare during the first half of the trip. Watch for the 'V' shape of the Salton Sea roughly 20-30 minutes after takeoff. This side also offers a better view of the massive open-pit copper mines located in Eastern Arizona.
Book Hotels in HoustonDistance: 2,163 km (1,344 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 53 min
Departure: SNA (33.67570114, -117.8679962)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: Domestic
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