Houston to Los Angeles Flight Distance
George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (IAH) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Primary sources · 6
- [1] Vincenty (1975) — Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
- [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
- [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
- [4] Lee et al. (2021) — Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
- [5] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [6] Sack (2010) — Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 1,379 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 3h 17m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Houston. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 346 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs if environmental impact is a concern.
Flight Options: 5 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 1,379 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 2,219 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 1,198 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 3h 17m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | MEDIUM HAUL | Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 287° WNW | West-Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | -2h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 346 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 1004 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 1385 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 32 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 67 L | ~12,060 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 5 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport
Houston, United States
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
5 airlines operate flights between Houston and Los Angeles.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 1,379 mi |
| Kilometers | 2,219 km |
| Nautical Miles | 1,198 nm |
| Meters | 2,219,000 m |
| Feet | 7,281,120 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 3h 17m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 3 days (28 hours) |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 2,219 km between Houston and Los Angeles at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 3h 17m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 4h 26m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 6h 56m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 22h 11m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 444h (18 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 1h 48m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from IAH
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Houston from Los Angeles?
The flight distance from George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (IAH) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 1,379 miles (2,219 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 3h 17m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).
What is the time difference?
Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Houston.
What airlines fly this route?
5 airlines operate this route: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines and 2 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 346 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1004 kg. First class: 1385 kg. Offset with ~32 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West-Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Houston to Los Angeles instead of flying?
While driving is technically possible at 2,219 km, it would take approximately 28 hours of non-stop driving. Flying saves you significant time, reducing travel to just 3h 17m.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This medium-haul route is typically served by Airbus A321, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo aircraft. A mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft may operate this route depending on demand.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 346 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 32 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.
External Resources & References
Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.