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AZA → RFD
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix-Mesa-Gateway Airport (Mesa) to Chicago Rockford International Airport (Rockford)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the dramatic transition from the Sonoran Desert to the high plateaus of Arizona and the southern reaches of the Rocky Mountains, followed by major Midwestern river crossings.
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Superstition Mountains
Dramatic volcanic peaks and rugged wilderness visible immediately after departure from Mesa.
Mogollon Rim
A massive limestone and sandstone escarpment that defines the edge of the Colorado Plateau.
Painted Desert
Vividly colored badlands and mesas stretching across the northern Arizona and New Mexico border.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Sharp, often snow-capped peaks of the southern Rockies visible as the flight heads northeast.
Des Moines Skyline
A clear view of Iowa's capital city and the winding Des Moines River valley.
Mississippi River
The grand crossing into Illinois, often featuring tugboats and industrial river activity.
Sit on the left for the best morning light when flying Northeast, which illuminates the desert textures. Watch for the dramatic color shifts of the Painted Desert approximately 30-40 minutes after takeoff. In winter, look for the distinct snow line as you transition from the Arizona desert to the high plateau.
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Tonto National Forest
Deep green ponderosa pine forests contrasting sharply with the desert floor below.
Gila Wilderness
Extremely rugged and remote mountain terrain in southwestern New Mexico.
High Plains Geometry
Vast agricultural circles and center-pivot irrigation patterns across Kansas and Nebraska.
Missouri River
The wide, silty waters of the Missouri River separating the plains of Nebraska and Iowa.
Iowa Wind Farms
Massive clusters of white wind turbines visible across the rolling hills of the Midwest.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. This side provides the best view of the 'patchwork quilt' effect of American farmland. During the descent into Rockford, watch for the Rock River and the dense foliage of northern Illinois.
Book Hotels in RockfordDistance: 2,206 km (1,371 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 56 min
Departure: AZA (33.30780029, -111.6549988)
Arrival: RFD (42.19540023803711, -89.09719848632812)
Route Type: Domestic
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