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RST → AZA
Which side of the plane to sit from Rochester International Airport (Rochester) to Phoenix-Mesa-Gateway Airport (Mesa)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the jagged San Juan Mountains in Colorado and the dramatic geological descent over the Mogollon Rim into the Arizona desert.
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Missouri River Basin
The winding path of the longest river in North America marking the border between the Midwest and the West.
Colorado Front Range
Distant but impressive views of the continental divide and major peaks like Pikes Peak as you cross the plains.
San Juan Mountains
Vivid, jagged volcanic mountains in Southwest Colorado, offering some of the most spectacular high-altitude terrain in the US.
Mogollon Rim
A 200-mile long limestone and sandstone cliff that defines the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
McDowell Mountains
Sharp desert ridges and valleys as the plane descends into the northeastern reaches of the Phoenix basin.
The right side is generally superior for viewing the high Rockies and avoids the harsh glare of the southern sun on afternoon flights. Watch for the dramatic change in terrain approximately 40 minutes before landing as you cross the Mogollon Rim.
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Midwestern Patchwork
Extensive geometric patterns of Minnesota and Iowa farmland transitioning into the vast Great Plains.
Sangre de Cristo Range
The southern-most subrange of the Rocky Mountains featuring several sharp peaks over 14,000 feet.
Painted Desert
Vibrant, eroded badlands of eastern Arizona showcasing layers of red, orange, and lavender siltstone.
Superstition Mountains
A rugged mountain range east of the Phoenix metro area, prominent during the final approach to AZA.
Sit on the left for the best view of the Superstition Mountains during the landing sequence into Mesa. This side is ideal for morning flights to see the desert landscape illuminated, though it will face direct sun in the afternoon.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 2,031 km (1,262 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 42 min
Departure: RST (43.90829849243164, -92.5)
Arrival: AZA (33.30780029, -111.6549988)
Route Type: Domestic
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