Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Baltimore to Phoenix. The right side wins overall because it captures the Appalachian ridgelines during the early climb over western Maryland and Pennsylvania, then delivers the dramatic transition from the Colorado Plateau's canyon country over northern Arizona, and finally the Sonoran Desert basin on descent into Phoenix. The left side has the better Chesapeake Bay view at takeoff but loses out across the bulk of the flight.

During takeoff from Baltimore Washington International (BWI), sit on the Left side for the best views. BWI's primary departure runway 28L sends aircraft northwest, putting the left side over the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore's Inner Harbor. You get a clear look at the bay's broad expanse and the city grid before climbing west. Notable sights include: Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore Inner Harbor, Patapsco River estuary, Annapolis peninsula to the south.

When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX typically lands on runway 26 or 25R heading west, placing the right side with a view south toward South Mountain and the broader Sonoran Desert basin. You also get a clear look at downtown Phoenix and the Salt River bed on approach. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park, downtown Phoenix skyline, Salt River bed, Estrella Mountains on the far horizon.

The flight from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

The flight crosses the Appalachian Mountains over western Maryland and West Virginia, then the flat agricultural plains of southern Ohio and Indiana, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas, the Texas Panhandle's flat high plains, the Rio Grande valley near Albuquerque, the Colorado Plateau with its mesa and canyon terrain over northern Arizona, and finally descends into the Phoenix Basin through the Sonoran Desert.