The left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise westbound, the left side also faces slightly south toward the Guadalupe Mountains and the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert as you approach West Texas, giving more visual interest than the featureless north-facing right side for most of the route.
Flown DFW to ELP? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Dallas-Fort Worth to El Paso is 550 miles (885 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
The flight crosses the flat Permian Basin of West Texas, with the Midland-Odessa metro visible below mid-flight. Further west, the terrain begins rising toward the Trans-Pecos region. The Delaware Mountains and the southern end of the Guadalupe Mountains become visible on the left side approaching El Paso, with the vast flat Chihuahuan Desert filling the landscape in the final 100 miles.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from DFW
LEFTDFW typically departs westbound on runways 17L/17R or 18L/18R heading south then turning west, or directly west on runways 13L/13R. A left-side seat gives you the Dallas-Fort Worth metro sprawl, downtown Dallas skyline to the northeast, and as you climb out heading west, the city grid spreads clearly below. Right side faces north toward less distinctive suburban terrain.
Landing at ELP
LEFTEl Paso typically lands on runway 04 (heading northeast) or runway 22 (heading southwest). On approach from the east heading southwest on runway 22, the left side faces southeast toward the Franklin Mountains and the dramatic El Paso-Juarez urban valley. The Franklin Mountains State Park ridgeline is unmistakable, and the dense binational city sprawl filling the Rio Grande valley is directly in view.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to El Paso International (ELP)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to El Paso. The left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise westbound, the left side also faces slightly south toward the Guadalupe Mountains and the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert as you approach West Texas, giving more visual interest than the featureless north-facing right side for most of the route.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
During takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Left side for the best views. DFW typically departs westbound on runways 17L/17R or 18L/18R heading south then turning west, or directly west on runways 13L/13R. A left-side seat gives you the Dallas-Fort Worth metro sprawl, downtown Dallas skyline to the northeast, and as you climb out heading west, the city grid spreads clearly below. Right side faces north toward less distinctive suburban terrain. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline to the northeast, Fort Worth downtown to the east, Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake northwest of Fort Worth, DFW airport layout itself during initial climb.
What can I see when landing at El Paso International in El Paso?
When landing at El Paso International (ELP), sit on the Left side for the best views. El Paso typically lands on runway 04 (heading northeast) or runway 22 (heading southwest). On approach from the east heading southwest on runway 22, the left side faces southeast toward the Franklin Mountains and the dramatic El Paso-Juarez urban valley. The Franklin Mountains State Park ridgeline is unmistakable, and the dense binational city sprawl filling the Rio Grande valley is directly in view. Notable sights include: Franklin Mountains State Park ridgeline, El Paso-Ciudad Juarez urban sprawl in the Rio Grande valley, Rio Grande river corridor, Hueco Mountains to the east.
How long is the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to El Paso?
The flight from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to El Paso International (ELP) takes about 1 hour 55 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 Dallas-Fort Worth to El Paso flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the flat Permian Basin of West Texas, with the Midland-Odessa metro visible below mid-flight. Further west, the terrain begins rising toward the Trans-Pecos region. The Delaware Mountains and the southern end of the Guadalupe Mountains become visible on the left side approaching El Paso, with the vast flat Chihuahuan Desert filling the landscape in the final 100 miles.