Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Kirtland A.f.b. to Phoenix. The right side captures the dramatic Sandia Mountains on departure, then tracks the transition from New Mexico high desert through the White Mountains region and into the Sonoran Desert basin. While the left side wins on landing, the Sandia departure view is the single most spectacular moment of this short flight, making right the better overall pick.

During takeoff from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), sit on the Right side for the best views. ABQ typically departs runway 08 (eastward) or 26 (westward). On westbound departures toward PHX on runway 26, the right side faces north and gives you a clear view of the Sandia Mountains rising sharply to over 10,000 feet just east of the city. The left side looks south over the South Valley and mesa terrain with less dramatic relief. Notable sights include: Sandia Mountains (Crest at 10,378 ft), Rio Grande valley cutting through Albuquerque, Bosque cottonwood corridor along the river, downtown Albuquerque grid.

When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHX typically lands on runway 26 (westbound) or runway 08 (eastbound). On approach from the east on runway 26, the left side faces south and gives clear views of South Mountain Park, the dense Phoenix metro grid, and the Salt River bed. Right side looks north toward Scottsdale and the McDowell Mountains but the urban sprawl is less organized and visually interesting on final. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park (largest municipal park in the US, clearly visible as dark rocky ridge), Phoenix downtown skyline, Salt River dry bed, Tempe Town Lake.

The flight from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 55-65 minutes.

The flight crosses the transition from the Colorado Plateau and New Mexico basin-and-range terrain into Arizona. Notable features along the route include the White Mountains of eastern Arizona (visible as elevated forested terrain to the north), the Salt River canyon system in central Arizona, and the broad flat expanse of the Sonoran Desert basin as you descend into the Phoenix metro. The terrain drops significantly from ABQ's 5,355 ft elevation to PHX at 1,135 ft, making the descent visually dramatic as the basin opens up.