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PHL → SLC
Which side of the plane to sit from Philadelphia International Airport (Philadelphia) to Salt Lake City International Airport (Salt Lake City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is preferred for its views of the Great Lakes, the unique Nebraska Sandhills, and the iconic aerial approach over the Great Salt Lake before landing.
Philadelphia Skyline
Excellent views of Center City and the Delaware River immediately following a westward departure.
Lake Erie
The flight path often skirts the southern shore, offering views of the massive Great Lake.
Chicago Skyline
On northerly routings, look for the Sears Tower and the Lake Michigan shoreline in the distance.
Nebraska Sandhills
A unique, undulating grass-stabilized sand dune region spanning thousands of square miles.
Medicine Bow Mountains
Beautiful snow-capped peaks in southern Wyoming visible during the mid-to-late stage of the flight.
Great Salt Lake
The highlight of the trip, offering stunning views of Antelope Island and the salt flats on final approach.
The right side is essential for the Great Salt Lake approach, which is one of the most scenic landings in the U.S. For morning flights, this side will have the best lighting for photography. Watch for the stark contrast between the desert floor and the salt-crusted lake edges.
Susquehanna River
Visible shortly after takeoff as you cross the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania.
Mississippi River
A major landmark crossing providing a sense of the vast scale of the American interior.
Colorado Rockies
Distant but majestic views of the southern Rocky Mountain peaks as the plane transitions from the plains.
Dinosaur National Monument
The rugged, canyon-carved landscape near the border of Colorado and Utah.
Wasatch Range
The dramatic mountain wall that borders the Salt Lake Valley to the east.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to avoid the direct southern sun glare while viewing the Rockies. This side provides a great perspective of the Wasatch Front peaks during the final banking maneuvers into SLC.
Distance: 3,093 km (1,922 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 38 min
Departure: PHL (39.87189865112305, -75.24109649658203)
Arrival: SLC (40.78839874267578, -111.97799682617188)
Route Type: Domestic
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