Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Detroit. The right side delivers the dramatic Superstition Mountains and Salt River valley on departure, and during cruise over New Mexico and Kansas offers views of the southern Rockies foothills and the flat checkerboard of Great Plains farmland. The left side wins on landing, but the right side has the stronger overall experience across the full flight.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX typically departs east on runway 26R/8 or uses runways oriented east-west. Departing eastbound and banking northeast, the right side picks up the South Mountain Park massif and the broad Salt River valley. The Superstition Mountains appear clearly to the east as the aircraft climbs out over the eastern Valley. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park, Superstition Mountains, Salt River bed, Tempe Town Lake.

When landing at Detroit City (DET), sit on the Left side for the best views. Detroit City Airport (DET) sits on the northeast side of Detroit. Approaches typically come in from the west or southwest, meaning the left side faces south toward downtown Detroit, the Detroit River, and Windsor, Ontario across the water. The compact downtown skyline and the river are clearly visible on descent. Notable sights include: Detroit River, downtown Detroit skyline, Windsor Ontario waterfront, Belle Isle.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Detroit City (DET) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

The flight tracks northeast over New Mexico high desert and the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, then crosses the Texas Panhandle and Kansas plains with their massive center-pivot irrigation circles visible from altitude, followed by Missouri and Illinois farmland before crossing into Michigan over Lake Erie's western end near Toledo