About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Phoenix. The right side wins overall. While left is better at JFK departure, the right side captures the more dramatic scenery mid-flight and on arrival — including the Appalachians in Pennsylvania, the Mississippi River crossing over Missouri or Arkansas, the Texas Panhandle plains, and the spectacular Sonoran Desert approach into Phoenix with Camelback Mountain. The Phoenix arrival on the right is the single most visually rewarding moment of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from John F Kennedy International in New York?
During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK primarily departs westbound on runway 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On the dominant westbound departure heading, the left side gives you Manhattan's skyline receding to the northeast, plus the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Upper New York Bay. The right side faces south toward the Atlantic with little to see. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Upper New York Bay, Jamaica Bay wildlife refuge directly below.
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. PHX typically lands westbound on runways 26 or 25, approaching from the east over the Valley. The right side faces north, giving you a clear view of the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, and the dense Phoenix metro grid spreading across the desert floor. The left side faces south toward South Mountain and less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, Salt River bed, Phoenix downtown grid.
How long is the flight from New York to Phoenix?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes.
What does the New York to Phoenix flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest across Pennsylvania over the Appalachian ridges, crosses the Ohio River near Cincinnati, passes over the Ozark Plateau in Missouri or Arkansas, crosses the Texas Panhandle's flat grasslands, then traverses the Sonoran Desert of New Mexico and Arizona with the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim visible before descending into the Phoenix basin.