Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Austin to Phoenix. While the left side has a good Austin departure view, the right side wins overall because it tracks the more dramatic terrain throughout the flight — including the Davis Mountains region of West Texas in the distance, the transition into New Mexico high desert, and delivers the best arrival view over the Superstition Mountains and South Mountain into Phoenix.

During takeoff from Austin Bergstrom International (AUS), sit on the Left side for the best views. ABIA's primary departure runway 17L/35R means westbound flights to PHX typically depart heading northwest. A left-side seat gives you a view back over downtown Austin, the Colorado River, and Lady Bird Lake as you climb out. The Hill Country terrain rolling west of Austin is also visible on the left. Notable sights include: Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River bends, downtown Austin skyline, Texas Hill Country cedar-covered ridges, Lake Travis to the northwest.

When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX arrivals from the east typically use runway 26 or 25L/R, meaning the approach comes in from the east heading west. A right-side seat on this approach gives you a clear view of South Mountain Park, the Salt River valley, and the broad Phoenix metro grid spreading across the desert floor. The McDowell Mountains and Superstition Mountains are visible to the northeast on the right side during the descent. Notable sights include: Superstition Mountains to the east, South Mountain Park and its ridgeline, the Salt River bed cutting across the valley floor, Tempe Town Lake.

The flight from Austin Bergstrom International (AUS) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight crosses the Texas Hill Country west of Austin, then the flat Permian Basin and Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. The Davis Mountains are visible to the south around the midpoint. The route then crosses southern New Mexico's high desert plains and the Chihuahuan Desert transition zone before entering Arizona, where the Dos Cabezas Mountains and Dragoon Mountains appear to the south and the White Mountains to the north as you cross into the state.