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PHX → SDF
Which side of the plane to sit from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix) to Louisville International Standiford Field (Louisville)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the transition from the Sonoran Desert to the Ozark Plateau, concluding with a better perspective of the Ohio River and the Louisville skyline during the standard approach into SDF.
Phoenix Basin Departure
Bird's-eye view of Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and the suburban grid of the Valley of the Sun.
Mogollon Rim
The dramatic geological shelf where the low desert rises into the high-altitude pine forests of Arizona.
Oklahoma City Skyline
Clear views of the Devon Tower and the surrounding plains of central Oklahoma.
Mississippi River Crossing
The massive, winding artery of the U.S. near the junction of Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
Bluegrass Country
The signature rolling green pastures and thoroughbred horse farms of central Kentucky.
Louisville Waterfront
During northern approaches, the downtown skyline and the Big Four Bridge are highly visible.
Sit on the left for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. This side is prime for spotting the Ohio River loops as you descend. In winter, the transition from brown desert to snow-dusted Ozarks is most striking from this side.
Superstition Mountains
Rugged, volcanic peaks rising sharply from the desert floor just east of Phoenix.
Texas Panhandle Wind Farms
Vast arrays of white turbines dotting the landscape across the high plains of Texas.
Ozark National Forest
Dense, undulating forest canopy and deep river valleys spanning across northern Arkansas.
Kentucky Lake
The massive reservoir on the Tennessee River, recognizable by its expansive surface area.
Churchill Downs
If landing from the south, the iconic twin spires of the Kentucky Derby track are often visible.
The right side is ideal for late-afternoon flights to catch the sunset over the desert. Look for the distinct geometric patterns of pivot irrigation in the Texas Panhandle, which create a unique 'polka-dot' landscape from 35,000 feet.
Distance: 2,419 km (1,503 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 14 min
Departure: PHX (33.43429946899414, -112.01200103759766)
Arrival: SDF (38.1744, -85.736)
Route Type: Domestic
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