Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Carlsbad. The right side delivers the more dramatic takeoff views of Phoenix's mountain parks and the Estrella range, and during the cruise portion over New Mexico the right side tracks closer to the Sacramento Mountains and the elevated terrain approaching the Guadalupe escarpment. The left side has the edge only on final approach into Carlsbad.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Phoenix Sky Harbor, runways 26L/26R send the aircraft westward before turning east-southeast toward Carlsbad. The right side picks up South Mountain Park and the Estrella Mountains as the aircraft banks, plus the sprawling Phoenix metro grid is clearly laid out to the north. The left side faces mostly flat desert and the less distinctive western suburbs. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park (largest municipal park in the US, clearly visible as a dark rocky ridge south of the city), Estrella Mountains (rugged range to the southwest), Salt River channel cutting through the metro, Phoenix downtown skyline.

When landing at Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Approaching Cavern City Air Terminal, aircraft typically arrive from the west-northwest and land on runway 12 (southeast-facing) or 21. On final approach from the northwest, the left side faces north toward the Guadalupe Mountains and the distinctive Delaware Basin terrain. The Pecos River valley and the salt flats of the Permian Basin are visible to the left, while the right side sees mostly flat Chihuahuan Desert scrub. Notable sights include: Guadalupe Mountains (including Guadalupe Peak, highest point in Texas, visible to the south-southeast), Pecos River valley cutting through the terrain, Permian Basin oil field infrastructure (pump jacks and tank farms visible as geometric patterns), Carlsbad Caverns National Park plateau.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

The flight crosses the Sonoran Desert transitioning into the Chihuahuan Desert over southwestern New Mexico. Notable features include the Mimbres Mountains and Black Range visible to the north, the broad Rio Grande valley near Truth or Consequences (though the river itself may appear as a thin line), the Sacramento Mountains rising to the north of the flight path as a significant forested range, and the gradual transition from high desert basin terrain into the Permian Basin's flat oil-producing landscape as the aircraft approaches southeastern New Mexico.