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AZA → GFK
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix-Mesa-Gateway Airport (Mesa) to Grand Forks International Airport (Grand Forks)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides an exceptional sequence of high-altitude landmarks, including the dramatic Mogollon Rim, the snow-capped San Juan Mountains, and a unique perspective of the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Mogollon Rim
The massive limestone and sandstone cliff that defines the edge of the Colorado Plateau in Northern Arizona.
Monument Valley
The iconic sandstone buttes of the Navajo Nation are often visible near the Four Corners region.
San Juan Mountains
Some of the highest peaks in the Rockies, often covered in snow well into the summer months.
The Black Hills
An isolated mountain range in South Dakota that stands out as a dark, forested island amidst the surrounding plains.
Missouri River
The flight crosses the wide, winding path of the Missouri River near Lake Oahe as you enter North Dakota.
For morning flights, the right side will be very bright; sunglasses are essential. Watch for the transition from red desert to alpine green about 45 minutes into the flight. The Black Hills appear roughly 90 minutes before landing and are most distinct during clear weather in the spring and autumn.
Superstition Mountains
Visible immediately after takeoff, these jagged volcanic peaks rise sharply from the desert floor.
Canyonlands National Park
A vast landscape of eroded canyons and mesas visible as the flight crosses into Southeast Utah.
Flaming Gorge
The bright green waters of this reservoir create a sharp contrast against the red rock canyon walls on the WY/UT border.
Wind River Range
A stunning stretch of the Rocky Mountains featuring several 13,000-foot peaks in Western Wyoming.
North Dakota Prairie
The flight concludes over the perfectly flat, grid-patterned agricultural lands of the Red River Valley.
Sit on the left side during late afternoon flights to enjoy the 'golden hour' illumination on the canyon walls of Utah without the sun shining directly into your window. This side offers better views of the high peaks of the Wind River Range during the middle segment of the journey.
Distance: 2,028 km (1,260 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 42 min
Departure: AZA (33.30780029, -111.6549988)
Arrival: GFK (47.949299, -97.176102)
Route Type: Domestic
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