Seeing Permian Basin gas flares from a plane
The most productive oil field in the US burns off gas it cannot pipe away, so after dark West Texas and southeastern New Mexico glitter far from any town. Look for a dense scatter of lights across otherwise empty desert.
2 of our routes pass it. Texas · rated 7 of 10
The easy pick
Austin to Los Angeles: sit on the right, 50 min after takeoff.
Which side, by route
| Route | Side | When |
|---|---|---|
| Austin to Los Angeles | Right | 50 min after takeoff |
| Houston to Phoenix | Right the other side is usually better on this route | 67 min after takeoff |
From the real paths of every nonstop on these routes in the last 10 days, at the usual time of day.
Questions
Which side of the plane do you see Permian Basin gas flares from?
It depends on the direction: the right on most of our routes (2 of 2). The table lists each route's side.
When can you see Permian Basin gas flares from a plane?
Mid-flight: see the table for when on each route.
Can you see Permian Basin gas flares at night?
Yes, by its lights. The app scores lit places at night by how bright they are.
Do clouds matter?
Yes. These answers assume a clear day. Within 3 days of your flight, pick your exact flight in the app for the cloud forecast.
More
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