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ABQ → MCI
Which side of the plane to sit from Albuquerque International Sunport (Albuquerque) to Kansas City International Airport (Kansas City)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic views of the Sandia Mountains immediately upon departure and provides a better perspective of the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains as the aircraft heads northeast.
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Sandia Mountains
Rising 10,678 feet, these granite peaks provide a stunning vertical backdrop immediately east of the Albuquerque airport.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
On clear days, the southern tail of the Rockies is visible to the north during the initial climb out of New Mexico.
Western Kansas Plains
Witness the shift from high desert to the perfectly square agricultural grids and irrigation circles of the Great Plains.
Dodge City Area
Spot the historic cattle hub and the Arkansas River valley cutting through the flat landscape of western Kansas.
Flint Hills
The unique rolling topography of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, which looks particularly vibrant in the spring.
Book an early morning flight to see the sun illuminate the western faces of the Sandia Mountains. As you approach Kansas City, the left side typically offers a better view of the downtown skyline if the flight lands toward the south. Keep a look out for the transition from desert browns to agricultural greens about 30 minutes into the flight.
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Manzano Mountains
The rugged mountain range extending south from Albuquerque, visible during the initial climb phase.
Llano Estacado
View the massive, flat plateau of the 'Staked Plains' extending into the Texas Panhandle to the southeast.
Wichita Skyline
Depending on the specific flight corridor, the urban center of Kansas's largest city can often be seen in the distance.
Clinton Lake
A large reservoir near Lawrence, Kansas, that serves as a major landmark shortly before the descent into MCI.
The right side is excellent for sunset flights, as the sun will be behind the aircraft or to the left, preventing harsh glare while providing a warm glow over the plains. If flying at night, look for the sprawling wind farms in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, which are identifiable by their synchronized red blinking lights.
Book Hotels in Kansas CityDistance: 1,154 km (717 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 32 min
Departure: ABQ (35.040199, -106.609001)
Arrival: MCI (39.2976, -94.713898)
Route Type: Domestic
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