Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Las Vegas to Kirtland A.f.b.. The left side wins overall because the Sandia Mountains on approach into ABQ are genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. During the cruise portion heading east, the left side also tracks closer to the Arizona-New Mexico border terrain including the Zuni Mountains and the edge of the Colorado Plateau, offering more varied geology than the flat desert on the right.

During takeoff from Mc Carran International (LAS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Las Vegas typically departs south on runway 26L/R or north on 19L/R. On a northeast-bound flight to ABQ, aircraft often climb out heading east, putting the Las Vegas Strip and downtown on the right side before banking. The Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon escarpment are also visible to the right (west-southwest) during the climb. Notable sights include: Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos, Red Rock Canyon escarpment, Lake Mead to the northeast, Frenchman Mountain.

When landing at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Albuquerque typically lands on runway 08 (heading east) or runway 26 (heading west). On approach from the west, the left side faces north, giving a clear view of the Sandia Mountains rising dramatically 5,000 feet above the city — one of the most striking urban mountain backdrops in the US. The Rio Grande corridor and Old Town Albuquerque are also visible on the left. Notable sights include: Sandia Mountains (Sandia Crest at 10,678 ft), Rio Grande valley and bosque, Albuquerque's downtown and Old Town grid, Petroglyph National Monument lava escarpment.

The flight from Mc Carran International (LAS) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) takes Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight crosses the Mojave Desert transitioning into the Colorado Plateau, passing over the Arizona Strip north of the Grand Canyon (not visible from this route), the Painted Desert fringes, the Zuni Mountains of western New Mexico, and the Rio Puerco valley before descending into the Albuquerque basin. The terrain rises noticeably as the aircraft crosses into New Mexico, with mesas and volcanic fields becoming visible below.