CUN to IAH: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Cancún (CUN) to Houston (IAH) is a 1,307 km (812 mi), roughly 2h 2m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime CUN to IAH departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Left | Left |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. Pick the right side for shade, and the left side if you want the sun.
This route does not give one side the better views. You fly mostly over open water and general haze, so your seat choice comes down to shade. The left side gets the sun; the right side is quieter and cooler.
Takeoff
On departure from CUN, depending on the runway in use, you may catch Cozumel Island off the left side as you climb. Cancun can sit very close on the right and, at that point, it can feel almost under the aircraft.
Landing
Near landing at IAH, depending on the runway in use, Houston comes into view on the left about two hours in, during descent.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from CUN to IAH?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on CUN to IAH flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from CUN to IAH?
The great-circle distance is 1,307 km (812 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 2m in the air on this northbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on CUN to IAH?
Sit on the right for shade. The route does not have a stronger views side, and the left side gets the sun.
What can I see after takeoff from Cancún?
Depending on the runway in use, Cozumel Island may appear off the left during climb, while Cancun can pass very close on the right.