Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Philadelphia to Phoenix. The right side wins overall. While left is better at takeoff for the Philly skyline, the right side delivers the more dramatic payoff: the Appalachian ridges in Pennsylvania, the Ohio River valley, the Mississippi River crossing near St. Louis, the flat-to-rugged transition over the Ozarks and Oklahoma, and the spectacular Sonoran Desert and Phoenix mountain approach. The right side also catches the Four Corners region and Arizona high desert on descent.

During takeoff from Philadelphia International (PHL), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHL's primary westbound departures use runways 27L/27R, heading west-southwest. The left (south) side gives you a clear view of the Philadelphia skyline, the Delaware River, and the Ben Franklin Bridge before the aircraft turns west. You also catch the Schuylkill River confluence and South Philly's grid. Notable sights include: Philadelphia skyline, Delaware River, Ben Franklin Bridge, Schuylkill River.

When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX typically lands from the east on runways 26/25R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the east heading west. The right (north) side gives you the best view of the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale's urban grid, and the distinctive desert basin topography as you descend. The left side faces south toward South Mountain and the less-populated desert fringe. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, Scottsdale urban grid, Salt River bed.

The flight from Philadelphia International (PHL) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.

The flight tracks roughly west-southwest across Pennsylvania's Appalachian Ridge and Valley province (clearly visible parallel ridgelines), then across Ohio and Indiana farmland. It crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, where the Gateway Arch is occasionally visible on descent angles. The route then passes over the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas, crosses Oklahoma's flat plains, and enters New Mexico and Arizona over high desert plateau. The Painted Desert, Mogollon Rim escarpment, and the transition from Arizona high country down into the Phoenix basin are visible on the right side during descent.