Right-side seats offer superior scenery for the majority of the flight. Takeoff provides excellent desert and mountain views, and the flight path generally trends northeast across the American heartland, making the right side favorable for viewing the Colorado Plateau transition zone, the Rocky Mountain foothills, and the Great Plains.
Flown PHX to CID? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Phoenix to Cedar Rapids is 1,250 miles (2,011 km), a flight of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Colorado Plateau, the San Juan Mountains (southern Colorado), the Rio Grande valley, the High Plains of New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle, then transitions into the Great Plains of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Notable features include the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (visible from altitude in south-central Colorado), the Canadian River valley, and the transition from arid high plains to more verdant agricultural regions as the flight approaches Iowa. The Missouri River valley becomes visible in the final hour of flight as a major geographic dividing line between the Great Plains and the Mississippi River basin.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PHX
RIGHTRight-side seats capture Phoenix's urban sprawl and the surrounding desert terrain as the aircraft climbs northeast. You'll see the Salt River valley and the transition from developed areas to open Sonoran Desert.
Landing at CID
LEFTLeft-side seats offer the best views during descent into Cedar Rapids. You'll see the Cedar River valley, the transition from agricultural plains to the airport approach, and the Iowa River system.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Cedar Rapids. Right-side seats offer superior scenery for the majority of the flight. Takeoff provides excellent desert and mountain views, and the flight path generally trends northeast across the American heartland, making the right side favorable for viewing the Colorado Plateau transition zone, the Rocky Mountain foothills, and the Great Plains.
What can I see during takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Phoenix?
During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture Phoenix's urban sprawl and the surrounding desert terrain as the aircraft climbs northeast. You'll see the Salt River valley and the transition from developed areas to open Sonoran Desert. Notable sights include: Phoenix metropolitan area, Salt River valley, Superstition Mountains (distant southeast), Sonoran Desert scrubland.
What can I see when landing at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids?
When landing at The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best views during descent into Cedar Rapids. You'll see the Cedar River valley, the transition from agricultural plains to the airport approach, and the Iowa River system. Notable sights include: Cedar River valley, Iowa River, agricultural grid patterns, Cedar Rapids city center.
How long is the flight from Phoenix to Cedar Rapids?
The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,250 miles (2,011 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Phoenix to Cedar Rapids flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Colorado Plateau, the San Juan Mountains (southern Colorado), the Rio Grande valley, the High Plains of New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle, then transitions into the Great Plains of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Notable features include the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (visible from altitude in south-central Colorado), the Canadian River valley, and the transition from arid high plains to more verdant agricultural regions as the flight approaches Iowa. The Missouri River valley becomes visible in the final hour of flight as a major geographic dividing line between the Great Plains and the Mississippi River basin.