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OAK → PHX
Which side of the plane to sit from Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (Oakland) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most dramatic views of the Sierra Nevada range and the crossing of the Colorado River, while maintaining better lighting conditions for photography on midday flights.
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Sierra Nevada Mountains
Distant views of the high peaks and snow-capped ridges of the southern Sierras.
San Joaquin Valley
The agricultural heart of California, visible as a vast, colorful patchwork of fields.
Mojave National Preserve
A massive expanse of desert wilderness featuring extinct volcanoes and dry lake beds.
Colorado River
A bird's-eye view of the river defining the border between California and Arizona.
Weaver Mountains
Rugged Arizona terrain featuring dramatic granite boulders and high desert scrub.
For morning flights, the left side keeps the sun behind you, revealing the deep textures of the desert. Keep an eye out for the Colorado River roughly 15 minutes before landing. In winter, this side offers superior views of snow on the high desert peaks.
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San Francisco Bay
Sweeping views of the East Bay shoreline, salt ponds, and Silicon Valley shortly after takeoff.
Tehachapi Wind Farm
One of the world's largest collections of wind turbines lining the mountain ridges.
Edwards Air Force Base
The vast Rogers Dry Lake bed, a legendary site for aerospace testing and shuttle landings.
Vulture Mountains
Typical Sonoran desert landscapes with dense saguaro forests as you enter Arizona.
Greater Phoenix
A sprawling view of the Valley of the Sun and downtown skyscrapers during the final approach.
The right side is spectacular for late afternoon flights, offering views of the sun setting over the Pacific horizon in the distance. During the arrival into Phoenix, this side typically provides a better view of the city's suburban expansion and stadium landmarks.
Book Hotels in PhoenixDistance: 1,038 km (645 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 23 min
Departure: OAK (37.721298, -122.221001)
Arrival: PHX (33.43429946899414, -112.01200103759766)
Route Type: Domestic
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