Loading map...
PHX → ABQ
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix) to Albuquerque International Sunport (Albuquerque)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic views of the transition from the Sonoran Desert to the Colorado Plateau, including the Mogollon Rim and the spectacular volcanic fields of New Mexico.
Search flights from PHX to ABQ
McDowell Mountains
Jagged desert peaks visible immediately after departure from PHX north of Scottsdale.
Mogollon Rim
A massive 2,000-foot limestone and sandstone escarpment marking the edge of the Colorado Plateau.
Tonto National Forest
Expansive views of rugged canyons and high-altitude ponderosa pine forests.
El Malpais National Monument
Ancient, stark black lava flows that look like frozen rivers of stone near the NM border.
Mount Taylor
A prominent dormant stratovolcano rising to over 11,000 feet northwest of Albuquerque.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the glare of the southern sun. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, watch for the sudden vertical rise of the Mogollon Rim. On clear days, you can see as far north as the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United States
Superstition Mountains
Iconic, jagged volcanic peaks located just east of the Phoenix metro area.
Theodore Roosevelt Lake
A massive, deep blue reservoir winding through the desert canyons of the Tonto Basin.
White Mountains
High-altitude peaks in eastern Arizona, including the sacred Mount Baldy.
Gila Wilderness
Remote, forested mountain terrain spanning the border of Arizona and New Mexico.
Rio Grande Valley
The lush green ribbon of the Rio Grande cutting through the New Mexican desert during final descent.
The right side is ideal for afternoon or sunset flights to witness the 'Alpenglow' turning the Sandia Mountains pink. Look for the massive open-pit copper mines near Morenci if the flight path tracks slightly south.
Book Hotels in AlbuquerqueDistance: 528 km (328 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 53 min
Departure: PHX (33.43429946899414, -112.01200103759766)
Arrival: ABQ (35.040199, -106.609001)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.