Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Phoenix. The right side wins overall because the LAX departure offers the more dramatic scenery — the LA coastline, basin, and San Gabriel Mountains — which is the visual highlight of this short flight. The cruise portion heading east over the Mojave and desert is relatively flat and featureless from either side, and the Luke approach views are modest.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically departs eastbound on runways 24L/24R (heading ~240) or westbound over the ocean. For an eastbound departure toward Phoenix, the right side gives you the Santa Monica Bay coastline and then the Los Angeles Basin sprawl as you climb and bank northeast. The left side faces inland industrial areas and less scenic terrain. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Mountains, Griffith Observatory area.

When landing at Luke Afb (LUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Luke AFB sits northwest of Phoenix and aircraft typically approach from the west or southwest on runway 03L/03R or 21. On approach from the west, the left side gives a clear view of the White Tank Mountains and the sprawling Phoenix metro grid. The right side faces open desert with less visual interest. Notable sights include: White Tank Mountains, Phoenix metro grid, Estrella Mountains, Luke AFB runways.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Luke Afb (LUF) takes Approximately 55-70 minutes.

The flight crosses the eastern Mojave Desert, passing over the Chino Hills and Inland Empire suburbs east of LA, then the San Bernardino Valley, before transitioning to open Sonoran Desert scrubland approaching the Colorado River valley and the Phoenix Basin. The terrain is largely flat desert with occasional low mountain ranges visible as dark ridgelines.