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PHX → CLT
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the dramatic Mogollon Rim in Arizona and a more direct look at the Great Smoky Mountains during the descent into North Carolina.
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Mogollon Rim
The massive geological escarpment defining the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
Sandia Mountains
Dramatic granite peaks towering over the city of Albuquerque as you cross into New Mexico.
Mississippi River
The iconic winding silver thread of America's largest river system near the Arkansas-Tennessee border.
Great Smoky Mountains
Views of the ancient, mist-covered ridges as you cross the border from Tennessee into North Carolina.
Winston-Salem Skyline
Visible to the north during the standard arrival sequence into the Charlotte area.
For morning flights, the left side is essential to avoid the harsh southern sun glare. Keep your window shade up about 45 minutes before landing to catch the transition from the flat Mississippi Delta into the rolling Appalachian foothills. Look for the distinct color change from desert ochre to forest green over Oklahoma.
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Gila National Forest
Rugged mountains and deep canyons of southwestern New Mexico's wilderness.
Texas Panhandle Plains
A vast tapestry of circular irrigation fields and deep red earth stretching to the horizon.
Tennessee River Valley
The wide, blue bends of the Tennessee River snaking through the lush green valley floor.
Lake Wylie
A sprawling reservoir on the SC/NC border visible during the final moments of the approach.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Can be spotted to the northeast depending on the specific arrival traffic pattern.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to witness the sunset over the wing. During the descent into CLT, watch for the numerous reservoirs and lakes that dot the landscape. If the plane approaches from the south, you will get an excellent view of the Uptown Charlotte skyline just before touchdown.
Book Hotels in CharlotteDistance: 2,848 km (1,770 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 48 min
Departure: PHX (33.43429946899414, -112.01200103759766)
Arrival: CLT (35.2140007019043, -80.94309997558594)
Route Type: Domestic
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