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SAN → SAT
Which side of the plane to sit from San Diego International Airport (San Diego) to San Antonio International Airport (San Antonio)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the dramatic shift from the Pacific coast to the high desert, including the Salton Sea and the rugged Gila Wilderness, ending with a scenic approach over the Texas Hill Country.
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San Jacinto Mountains
Stark, snow-capped peaks rising sharply from the desert floor shortly after your turn east from San Diego.
Salton Sea
A massive, shimmering endorheic rift lake located in the heart of the Colorado Desert.
Sonoran Desert
Expansive views of the Arizona desert landscape, featuring unique geological formations and dry lake beds.
Gila National Forest
Vast stretches of mountainous wilderness and forested terrain in southwestern New Mexico.
Texas Hill Country
The lush, rolling green hills and river valleys that signal your arrival into the San Antonio region.
Sit on the left for morning flights to keep the sun on the opposite side, providing clearer, glare-free views of the desert floor. Watch for the Salton Sea approximately 20-30 minutes after departure. This side is also excellent for seeing the transition from the high desert to the greener Edwards Plateau in Texas.
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US-Mexico Border
Visible geometric patterns and the literal line demarcating the international boundary between the two nations.
Imperial Sand Dunes
Massive, rolling golden sand dunes near the California-Arizona border, often used for desert filming.
El Paso and Ciudad Juárez
A unique aerial view of the interconnected border metroplex split by the Rio Grande.
Franklin Mountains
Rugged mountains that slice directly through the center of El Paso, visible just before entering West Texas.
Rio Grande Valley
The winding river that carves through the arid landscape, acting as a natural border for hundreds of miles.
The right side is ideal for geography buffs interested in the geopolitical landscape of the US-Mexico border. In the late afternoon, the low sun creates dramatic shadows over the Imperial Sand Dunes. Be sure to look for the massive open-pit copper mines in southern Arizona which appear as giant tiered craters.
Book Hotels in San AntonioDistance: 1,814 km (1,127 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 25 min
Departure: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Arrival: SAT (29.533700942993164, -98.46980285644533)
Route Type: Domestic
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