Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Memphis to Phoenix. Right side captures the most dramatic scenery: the Mississippi River during departure and the transition from the Colorado Plateau's edge into the Sonoran Desert during the westbound cruise. The desert landscape west of Phoenix is more visually distinctive than the flat terrain east of Memphis.

During takeoff from Memphis International (MEM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side offers views of the Mississippi River as it flows south from Memphis, plus the urban sprawl of Memphis itself receding below. The river's distinctive meanders are clearly visible during westbound climb-out. Notable sights include: Mississippi River (south and southeast of airport), Memphis urban area, Wolf River confluence, Shelby Farms (large reservoir east of city).

When landing at Luke Afb (LUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left side provides excellent views of the Phoenix metropolitan area and the Salt River as you descend toward Luke AFB southwest of the city. You'll see the urban grid of Phoenix and Glendale, plus the desert terrain that defines the approach. Notable sights include: Phoenix metropolitan area (downtown and sprawl), Salt River, Camelback Mountain (distant northeast), Sonoran Desert terrain.

The flight from Memphis International (MEM) to Luke Afb (LUF) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.

The flight crosses the Mississippi River valley, then the flat terrain of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Around the midpoint, you'll pass south of the Ozark Plateau (visible as low, forested hills on the horizon). As you approach Arizona, the terrain gradually rises and becomes more arid. The Canadian River and Cimarron River valleys are visible as green corridors cutting through the Oklahoma panhandle. West of the Texas Panhandle, the landscape transitions to high desert and scrubland. The Rio Grande appears briefly near the New Mexico-Texas border. The final approach into Phoenix shows the transition from Sonoran Desert scrub to the irrigated agricultural areas and urban sprawl surrounding the city.