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RAP → AZA
Which side of the plane to sit from Rapid City Regional Airport (Rapid City) to Phoenix-Mesa-Gateway Airport (Mesa)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the Black Hills during departure, the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and the dramatic drop-off of the Mogollon Rim before landing in the Valley of the Sun.
The Black Hills
Immediately after takeoff, see the forested granite peaks including the area surrounding Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park
High-altitude views of the Continental Divide, snow-capped peaks, and alpine tundra in northern Colorado.
San Juan Mountains
Some of the most rugged and scenic peaks in the Rockies, including the area around Telluride and Silverton.
Four Corners & Shiprock
The arid beauty of the Navajo Nation, featuring the massive volcanic rock formation known as Shiprock.
Mogollon Rim
The spectacular 2,000-foot geological drop-off that marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
Superstition Mountains
The iconic, jagged volcanic peaks that dominate the horizon just north of Mesa during the final approach.
Choose the right side for the most dramatic geological transitions. You will have a front-row seat to the highest peaks of the Rockies and the iconic red rock landscape of the Southwest. For sunset flights, this side provides breathtaking views of the 'Golden Hour' over the desert, though glare can be intense. Look for the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff mid-flight.
Badlands Fringe
Visible shortly after takeoff, look for the jagged, light-colored erosional formations of the South Dakota Badlands to the east.
Denver & Front Range
A great view of the Colorado capital and the transition where the Great Plains meet the soaring wall of the Rockies.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Dramatic, narrow mountain range extending from southern Colorado into northern New Mexico.
Meteor Crater
A massive, perfectly circular impact crater visible in the high desert of northern Arizona near Winslow.
Tonto National Forest
The rugged canyons and ponderosa pine forests that characterize the mountainous transition into the Phoenix basin.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid direct glare and see the sun illuminating the face of the Rockies. This side is also better for spotting the Denver metro area and the southern reaches of the Rio Grande Valley. Keep an eye out for the distinctive peak of Mount Sneffels in the distance as you cross the Colorado border.
Distance: 1,406 km (874 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 52 min
Departure: RAP (44.0452995300293, -103.05699920654295)
Arrival: AZA (33.30780029, -111.6549988)
Route Type: Domestic
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