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DSM → PHX
Which side of the plane to sit from Des Moines International Airport (Des Moines) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides an exceptional vantage point for the Southern Rocky Mountains and the dramatic geological descent from the high Colorado Plateau over the Mogollon Rim into the desert valley.
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Great Plains Patterns
Intricate geometric patterns of center-pivot irrigation circles across western Kansas.
Sangre de Cristo Range
The southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains, often snow-capped in winter months.
Mogollon Rim
A massive topographical drop-off marking the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
Sunset Crater & San Francisco Peaks
Distant views of Arizona's highest peaks and volcanic cinder cones near Flagstaff.
Sonoran Desert Transition
Watch the vegetation shift from ponderosa pine forests to saguaro-filled desert basins.
Choose the right side for the most dramatic mountain scenery. For morning flights, the sun will be behind you, illuminating the red rocks and cliffs of the Mogollon Rim perfectly. Keep your eyes peeled about 30-40 minutes before landing to see the stark contrast in terrain elevation.
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Flint Hills
The rolling tallgrass prairies of eastern Kansas, showcasing a unique unplowed landscape.
Albuquerque Metro
Views of the Rio Grande valley and the urban sprawl of New Mexico's largest city.
Theodore Roosevelt Lake
A massive reservoir nestled in the hills of the Tonto National Forest during the descent.
Superstition Mountains
Iconic, rugged volcanic peaks located just east of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Sit on the left for the best views of the Phoenix city skyline and the Superstition Mountains during the final approach. If flying during the late afternoon, the left side will be shaded from the direct sun, providing better conditions for photography without window glare.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 1,847 km (1,148 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 28 min
Departure: DSM (41.53400039672852, -93.66310119628906)
Arrival: PHX (33.43429946899414, -112.01200103759766)
Route Type: Domestic
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