The left side wins overall. The Boston Harbor and downtown skyline departure is one of the best urban takeoff views in the US, and across the flight the left side tracks closer to the Colorado Rockies as you cross the continental interior. While the right side has a slight edge on landing at Luke, the departure and mid-flight scenery tips the balance to the left.
Flown BOS to LUF? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Boston to Phoenix is 2,311 miles (3,719 km), a flight of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
The flight crosses the Appalachians over upstate New York, then the flat agricultural plains of Ohio and Indiana, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Ozark Plateau, the Texas Panhandle, and the New Mexico high desert before descending into the Sonoran Desert basin. The southern Rockies and Sangre de Cristo Mountains are visible to the left in New Mexico. The Rio Grande valley is faintly visible near Albuquerque.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOS
LEFTLogan typically departs westbound on runway 33L/33R or 22L heading northwest or southwest. Left side gives you Boston Harbor, the downtown skyline, and the Charles River basin as you climb out over the city. The view of the harbor islands and the dense urban core is genuinely spectacular from the left.
Landing at LUF
RIGHTLuke AFB sits northwest of Phoenix, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 03L/03R or similar headings. The right side gives you the best view of the Phoenix metro grid, the South Mountains, and the distinctive desert basin as you descend. The Estrella Mountains and White Tank Mountains are visible to the right on final approach.
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Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Luke Afb (LUF)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boston to Phoenix. The left side wins overall. The Boston Harbor and downtown skyline departure is one of the best urban takeoff views in the US, and across the flight the left side tracks closer to the Colorado Rockies as you cross the continental interior. While the right side has a slight edge on landing at Luke, the departure and mid-flight scenery tips the balance to the left.
What can I see during takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International in Boston?
During takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Logan typically departs westbound on runway 33L/33R or 22L heading northwest or southwest. Left side gives you Boston Harbor, the downtown skyline, and the Charles River basin as you climb out over the city. The view of the harbor islands and the dense urban core is genuinely spectacular from the left. Notable sights include: Boston Harbor and Harbor Islands, downtown Boston skyline, Charles River and Cambridge, Quincy Bay.
What can I see when landing at Luke Afb in Phoenix?
When landing at Luke Afb (LUF), sit on the Right side for the best views. Luke AFB sits northwest of Phoenix, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 03L/03R or similar headings. The right side gives you the best view of the Phoenix metro grid, the South Mountains, and the distinctive desert basin as you descend. The Estrella Mountains and White Tank Mountains are visible to the right on final approach. Notable sights include: Phoenix metro grid and urban sprawl, White Tank Mountains, Estrella Mountains, Sonoran Desert basin.
How long is the flight from Boston to Phoenix?
The flight from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Luke Afb (LUF) takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,311 miles (3,719 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Boston to Phoenix flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Appalachians over upstate New York, then the flat agricultural plains of Ohio and Indiana, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Ozark Plateau, the Texas Panhandle, and the New Mexico high desert before descending into the Sonoran Desert basin. The southern Rockies and Sangre de Cristo Mountains are visible to the left in New Mexico. The Rio Grande valley is faintly visible near Albuquerque.