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SAN → MCI
Which side of the plane to sit from San Diego International Airport (San Diego) to Kansas City International Airport (Kansas City)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the iconic Grand Canyon and the most dramatic peaks of the southern Rocky Mountains as you transition from the desert to the plains.
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Grand Canyon National Park
Aerial perspectives of the massive canyon system and the winding Colorado River in Northern Arizona.
San Juan Mountains
The rugged, snow-capped peaks of Southwestern Colorado, including the Uncompahgre Wilderness.
Painted Desert
Vibrant, multi-colored rock layers stretching across the high desert of the Four Corners region.
Colorado Springs & Pikes Peak
Views of the 'America's Mountain' and the transition from the Rockies to the Great Plains.
Monument Valley
Distinctive sandstone buttes visible on the horizon near the Utah-Arizona border.
Sit on the left (port) side for the best chance to see the Grand Canyon roughly 45-60 minutes after takeoff. For morning flights, this side will be in the shade, providing better visibility and less window glare for photography. In winter, the snow-covered Rockies are a highlight roughly halfway through the flight.
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Salton Sea
The large, shimmering endorheic rift lake in the California desert shortly after departure.
Meteor Crater
A remarkably preserved impact site near Winslow, Arizona, appearing as a perfect circle in the desert.
Sonoran Desert
Vast expanses of arid landscape stretching toward the Mexican border and Phoenix area.
High Plains Agriculture
The mesmerizing 'quilt' of circular irrigation patterns across Kansas and Oklahoma.
Kansas City Skyline
On eastern approaches to MCI, enjoy views of the downtown area and the Missouri River.
The right side is excellent for afternoon flights to avoid the direct southern sun. Keep an eye out for the Salton Sea about 15 minutes after takeoff. As you approach Kansas City, look for the convergence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. During summer, this side often provides views of dramatic thunderhead cloud formations over the plains.
Book Hotels in Kansas CityDistance: 2,142 km (1,331 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 51 min
Departure: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Arrival: MCI (39.2976, -94.713898)
Route Type: Domestic
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