Left side wins the full flight — you get the dramatic Franklin Mountains and El Paso-Juárez valley on departure, then the Guadalupe Mountains briefly in the far distance during cruise, and a clear view of Fort Worth and the Metroplex on arrival. The right side offers flat West Texas scrubland for most of the cruise.
Flown BIF to DFW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
El Paso to Dallas-Fort Worth is 550 miles (885 km), a flight of about 1 hour 30 minutes.
The flight crosses the flat Chihuahuan Desert basin east of El Paso, then transitions over the Permian Basin oil fields around Midland-Odessa visible as a dense network of roads and well pads. Further east the terrain flattens into the rolling mesquite grasslands and red clay soils of the Rolling Plains before the Cross Timbers region signals the approach to the DFW Metroplex.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from BIF
LEFTBiggs AAF runways are oriented roughly east-west. Departing eastbound toward DFW, the left (north) side gives you a clear view of the Franklin Mountains rising sharply above El Paso and Ciudad Juárez spreading across the Rio Grande valley below. The right side faces south into Mexico with less dramatic terrain.
Landing at DFW
LEFTDFW typically uses south or north flow runways oriented roughly north-south. On approach from the west, the left (south) side gives views of downtown Fort Worth and the broader DFW metroplex sprawl. The right side faces north toward less distinctive suburban terrain.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Biggs Aaf (BIF) to Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from El Paso to Dallas-Fort Worth. Left side wins the full flight — you get the dramatic Franklin Mountains and El Paso-Juárez valley on departure, then the Guadalupe Mountains briefly in the far distance during cruise, and a clear view of Fort Worth and the Metroplex on arrival. The right side offers flat West Texas scrubland for most of the cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Biggs Aaf in El Paso?
During takeoff from Biggs Aaf (BIF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Biggs AAF runways are oriented roughly east-west. Departing eastbound toward DFW, the left (north) side gives you a clear view of the Franklin Mountains rising sharply above El Paso and Ciudad Juárez spreading across the Rio Grande valley below. The right side faces south into Mexico with less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Franklin Mountains State Park, Ciudad Juárez urban grid, Rio Grande river corridor, Hueco Tanks rock formations to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
When landing at Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Left side for the best views. DFW typically uses south or north flow runways oriented roughly north-south. On approach from the west, the left (south) side gives views of downtown Fort Worth and the broader DFW metroplex sprawl. The right side faces north toward less distinctive suburban terrain. Notable sights include: Downtown Fort Worth skyline, Lake Worth to the northwest of Fort Worth, the dense DFW airport infrastructure, Arlington urban corridor between Fort Worth and Dallas.
How long is the flight from El Paso to Dallas-Fort Worth?
The flight from Biggs Aaf (BIF) to Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 550 miles (885 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the El Paso to Dallas-Fort Worth flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the flat Chihuahuan Desert basin east of El Paso, then transitions over the Permian Basin oil fields around Midland-Odessa visible as a dense network of roads and well pads. Further east the terrain flattens into the rolling mesquite grasslands and red clay soils of the Rolling Plains before the Cross Timbers region signals the approach to the DFW Metroplex.