Phoenix to New York flight path: PHX to LGA

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to New York. While the Phoenix departure favors the left side for desert mountains, the right side's Manhattan skyline and harbor view on arrival is more dramatic and memorable, tipping the overall balance in its favor.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing PHX to the east, the north-side window shows Camelback Mountain, the McDowell Mountains, and the jagged Superstition Mountains rising from the desert floor, giving much more visual interest than the flatter south side of the valley. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, Superstition Mountains, Phoenix urban sprawl.

When landing at La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the approach into LGA, the aircraft typically swings south over the Hudson or East River before turning onto final, putting the Manhattan skyline, Central Park, and the harbor on the right side of the plane. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Central Park, East River, Long Island Sound.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to La Guardia (LGA) takes about 4 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,144 miles (3,450 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Southern Rocky Mountain foothills near Albuquerque, the Great Plains of Kansas and Missouri, the Mississippi River, and the Appalachian ridgelines over Pennsylvania before the descent into New York.