The right seat wins overall. While the left seat has a good Detroit departure view, the right seat delivers the more dramatic and sustained scenery: the Ozark Plateau over Missouri and Arkansas, the Texas Panhandle plains, New Mexico high desert, and the spectacular Phoenix arrival over Camelback Mountain and the McDowell Mountains.
Flown DET to PHX? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Detroit to Phoenix is 1,687 miles (2,716 km), a flight of about 4 hours.
The flight tracks southwest over Indiana and Illinois farmland, then crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, traverses the Ozark Plateau of southern Missouri and Arkansas, crosses the flat Texas Panhandle, passes over the Llano Estacado, enters New Mexico near Tucumcari crossing the high desert plains, then descends over the Mogollon Rim and the Sonoran Desert into the Phoenix basin.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DET
LEFTDetroit City Airport typically departs westbound or northwestbound. A left (south) seat gives you a clear view back over the Detroit River, Windsor Ontario across the border, and the downtown Detroit skyline as you climb out and bank southwest.
Landing at PHX
RIGHTPhoenix Sky Harbor sits east of downtown Phoenix, and aircraft typically approach from the east on runway 26 heading west. A right (north) seat gives you a prolonged view of the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, and the dense Phoenix metro grid as you descend over the Valley of the Sun.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
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 Detroit City (DET) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Phoenix. The right seat wins overall. While the left seat has a good Detroit departure view, the right seat delivers the more dramatic and sustained scenery: the Ozark Plateau over Missouri and Arkansas, the Texas Panhandle plains, New Mexico high desert, and the spectacular Phoenix arrival over Camelback Mountain and the McDowell Mountains.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit City in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit City (DET), sit on the Left side for the best views. Detroit City Airport typically departs westbound or northwestbound. A left (south) seat gives you a clear view back over the Detroit River, Windsor Ontario across the border, and the downtown Detroit skyline as you climb out and bank southwest. Notable sights include: Detroit River, Windsor Ontario waterfront, downtown Detroit skyline, Lake Erie shoreline to the southeast.
What can I see when landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Phoenix?
When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Phoenix Sky Harbor sits east of downtown Phoenix, and aircraft typically approach from the east on runway 26 heading west. A right (north) seat gives you a prolonged view of the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, and the dense Phoenix metro grid as you descend over the Valley of the Sun. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, Salt River bed, downtown Phoenix skyline.
How long is the flight from Detroit to Phoenix?
The flight from Detroit City (DET) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes about 4 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 1,687 miles (2,716 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Detroit to Phoenix flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest over Indiana and Illinois farmland, then crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, traverses the Ozark Plateau of southern Missouri and Arkansas, crosses the flat Texas Panhandle, passes over the Llano Estacado, enters New Mexico near Tucumcari crossing the high desert plains, then descends over the Mogollon Rim and the Sonoran Desert into the Phoenix basin.