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AZA → RST
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix-Mesa-Gateway Airport (Mesa) to Rochester International Airport (Rochester)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a stunning sequence of landscapes, from the jagged Superstition Mountains in Arizona to the high snow-capped peaks of the Colorado Rockies and the winding rivers of the Midwest.
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Superstition Mountains
Immediately after takeoff, view the rugged volcanic peaks and canyons east of the Phoenix metro area.
San Juan Mountains
Look for the massive, snow-covered summits of southwestern Colorado as you cross the Four Corners region.
The Front Range
See where the high Rockies abruptly meet the flat expanses of the Great Plains near Denver and Boulder.
Platte River Valley
Follow the silver thread of the Platte River as it cuts through the agricultural heartland of Nebraska.
Mississippi River Valley
As you descend into Rochester, enjoy views of the lush, rolling hills and water networks of the Upper Mississippi.
For morning flights, the left side avoids direct sunlight, making it easier to photograph the mountains. Keep your window shade open during the first 45 minutes for desert vistas and around the halfway mark for the best mountain scenery.
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Theodore Roosevelt Lake
Spot the large, blue reservoir nestled within the arid Tonto National Forest shortly after departure.
Painted Desert
Observe the vibrant reds, oranges, and purples of the Arizona high desert landscapes to the southeast.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
View the long, narrow chain of the southernmost Rockies stretching through New Mexico and Colorado.
Great Plains Grids
Marvel at the geometric precision of circular irrigation patterns and square farm plots across Kansas and Nebraska.
Iowa Farmland
During the final leg, look for the deep green and gold patchwork of the Midwestern Corn Belt.
The right side is ideal for catching the sunset on late afternoon flights, though glare can be intense. Look for the distinct color changes in the soil as you transition from the red sands of the Southwest to the dark loams of the Midwest.
Book Hotels in RochesterDistance: 2,031 km (1,262 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 42 min
Departure: AZA (33.30780029, -111.6549988)
Arrival: RST (43.90829849243164, -92.5)
Route Type: Domestic
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