Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Phoenix. The right side wins overall. While the left side has the Chicago skyline at departure, the right side delivers the more dramatic and sustained scenery: the Sangamon River flatlands transition to the Ozark plateau edge, then the dramatic New Mexico high desert and eventually the approach into Phoenix with Camelback Mountain and the McDowell range. The Phoenix arrival on the right is the visual highlight of the flight.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD's most common westbound departures use runways 10L/10C/10R (heading roughly west) or 28L/28R (heading east then turning). For westbound departures heading toward PHX, aircraft typically depart on runways oriented east-west. On a southwest-bound departure, the left side gives you the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan shoreline as the aircraft banks south and west. The downtown Loop, Grant Park, and the lakefront are clearly visible on the left as you climb out. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Midway Airport (MDW) to the south, Illinois flatlands grid pattern.

When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX Sky Harbor sits east of downtown Phoenix, and aircraft typically land from the east on runway 26 (heading west) or from the west on runway 8. On the common westbound approach on runway 26, the right side faces north, giving clear views of the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, and the Phoenix metro grid. The left side faces south toward South Mountain Park, which is less dramatic. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, South Mountain Park, Phoenix urban grid and Salt River bed.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

The flight crosses the flat Illinois and Missouri plains, then the Ozark Plateau in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Over Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, the terrain rises gradually onto the High Plains. Crossing into New Mexico, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande valley become visible. The flight then crosses the high desert of eastern Arizona, the White Mountains, and the Mogollon Rim before descending into the Phoenix basin.