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PHX â BFL
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix) to Meadows Field (Bakersfield)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the diverse desert geography including the Colorado River crossing, the northern reaches of Joshua Tree National Park, and the dramatic descent through the Tehachapi Pass into the San Joaquin Valley.
Sonoran Desert Vistas
Panoramic views of the rugged Arizona desert landscapes and the Gila River valley immediately after takeoff.
Colorado River
A sharp blue contrast against the desert floor as the flight crosses the border between Arizona and California near Blythe.
Joshua Tree National Park
Aerial perspectives of the unique rock formations and vast wilderness areas on the park's northern edge.
Tehachapi Pass
A view of the mountains separating the Mojave Desert from the Central Valley, often dotted with massive wind turbines.
San Joaquin Agriculture
The transition into the perfectly gridded green and brown farmlands surrounding Bakersfield during the final approach.
For the best experience, book a late afternoon flight to see the sun set over the California desert. Look for the massive wind farms near Tehachapi during the descent; they are especially striking when catching the golden hour light. Keep your window shade open during the first 15 minutes to see the Gila Bend area.
Phoenix Skyline
Excellent views of Downtown Phoenix and the North Mountain preserves if departing on a westbound runway.
Mojave Volcanics
Views of the cinder cones and ancient lava flows within the Mojave National Preserve to the north.
Edwards AFB & Rogers Dry Lake
The vast, flat expanse of the dry lake beds used for aerospace testing and historical space shuttle landings.
Southern Sierra Nevada
On clear days, the southernmost peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains are visible to the north during the approach to BFL.
Morning flights are ideal for this side to avoid the glare of the southern sun and to see the Sierra Nevada peaks illuminated. Watch for the distinct circular irrigation patterns of the desert farms north of the flight path. If the air is clear, you can often see the distinct white crust of the Mojave dry lakes from 30,000 feet.
Distance: 683 km (424 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 8 min
Departure: PHX (33.43429946899414, -112.01200103759766)
Arrival: BFL (35.43360138, -119.0569992)
Route Type: Domestic
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