The left side strings together a brief Dallas skyline view on departure with the genuinely distinctive White Sands dunes and Sacramento Mountains during cruise, giving it more varied, dramatic scenery over the whole flight than the mostly flat plains seen from the right, even though the right side wins the final approach into Phoenix.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Llano Estacado plains of West Texas and the Pecos River valley before passing through the high desert of southeastern New Mexico near Roswell; the white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park and the Sacramento Mountains are visible off to the south before the terrain climbs into eastern Arizona's Mogollon Rim country.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from DFW
LEFTDFW departures headed west typically lift off southbound before banking right, and during that turn the downtown Dallas skyline and the Trinity River briefly line up on the left side before the ground gives way to flat North Texas farmland.
Landing at PHX
RIGHTSky Harbor's final approach comes in from the east, and on the north (right) side passengers get a close look at Camelback Mountain, Papago Park's red buttes, and the downtown Phoenix skyline as the plane descends.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Phoenix. The left side strings together a brief Dallas skyline view on departure with the genuinely distinctive White Sands dunes and Sacramento Mountains during cruise, giving it more varied, dramatic scenery over the whole flight than the mostly flat plains seen from the right, even though the right side wins the final approach into Phoenix.
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 departures headed west typically lift off southbound before banking right, and during that turn the downtown Dallas skyline and the Trinity River briefly line up on the left side before the ground gives way to flat North Texas farmland. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline (Reunion Tower), Trinity River, Arlington/AT&T Stadium area, Joe Pool Lake.
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. Sky Harbor's final approach comes in from the east, and on the north (right) side passengers get a close look at Camelback Mountain, Papago Park's red buttes, and the downtown Phoenix skyline as the plane descends. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, Papago Park red sandstone buttes, Piestewa Peak, downtown Phoenix skyline.
How long is the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Phoenix?
The flight from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes 2h 55m.
What does the Dallas-Fort Worth to Phoenix flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Llano Estacado plains of West Texas and the Pecos River valley before passing through the high desert of southeastern New Mexico near Roswell; the white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park and the Sacramento Mountains are visible off to the south before the terrain climbs into eastern Arizona's Mogollon Rim country.