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MCI → SAN
Which side of the plane to sit from Kansas City International Airport (Kansas City) to San Diego International Airport (San Diego)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior panorama of the American West's most iconic geological features, including the Grand Canyon and Sedona, culminating in a world-famous landing over the San Diego skyline.
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Sangre de Cristo Mountains
The dramatic southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains stretching through northern New Mexico.
Grand Canyon
Sweeping aerial perspectives of the South Rim and the winding Little Colorado River Gorge.
Sedona Red Rocks
Vibrant orange and red sandstone formations surrounding the Verde Valley and Oak Creek Canyon.
Mount San Jacinto
A massive peak rising nearly 11,000 feet above the Coachella Valley floor near Palm Springs.
San Diego Skyline
Unrivaled views of downtown skyscrapers and Balboa Park during the famous steep final approach.
San Diego Bay
Deep blue waters filled with naval vessels, the USS Midway, and Coronado Island views.
The right side is essential for the iconic 'San Diego landing.' To ensure the best view of the skyscrapers and Balboa Park, sit toward the front or middle of the cabin to avoid wing obstruction during the steep descent. Afternoon flights provide dramatic lighting and long shadows over the Grand Canyon and Arizona's red rock country.
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Great Plains
Geometric agricultural patterns and circular irrigation fields of western Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle.
Albuquerque
Clear views of the Rio Grande valley and the Sandia Mountains looming over the New Mexico desert.
Meteor Crater
A perfectly preserved 50,000-year-old impact site visible in the Arizona desert near Winslow.
Petrified Forest
Striated colors of the Painted Desert and the unique badlands of the Petrified Forest National Park.
Salton Sea
A massive, shimmering endorheic rift lake located in the heart of the Colorado Desert.
Cleveland National Forest
Lush, rugged mountain terrain providing the final transition into the San Diego coastal basin.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you and illuminate the desert colors. Keep your eyes peeled for the Meteor Crater approximately 35 minutes after passing Albuquerque. In winter, the snow-capped peaks of the Gila Wilderness are a major highlight on the southern horizon.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 2,142 km (1,331 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 51 min
Departure: MCI (39.2976, -94.713898)
Arrival: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Route Type: Domestic
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