Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Phoenix. This is an extremely short flight — essentially a straight-line hop of about 22 miles west-northwest from PHX to LUF. The left side captures the more dramatic departure views including South Mountain and the Salt River valley, which represent the most visually interesting portion of this brief flight. The right side has good landing views of the White Tanks, but the left side edges it out overall.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHX typically departs westbound on runway 26 or 25L/R, meaning the left (south) side gives you a clear view of South Mountain Park and the broad Salt River valley floor as you climb out. The downtown Phoenix grid and Sky Harbor's own terminal complex are also visible briefly before you bank northwest. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park, downtown Phoenix skyline, Salt River bed, Tempe Town Lake.

When landing at Luke Afb (LUF), sit on the Right side for the best views. Luke AFB (LUF) sits northwest of Phoenix and aircraft typically approach from the east or southeast on runway 03L/R or similar northbound headings. The right (east) side gives you a direct look at the White Tank Mountains as you descend, plus the sprawling suburban grid of Glendale and Peoria laid out clearly below. Notable sights include: White Tank Mountains, Glendale/Peoria suburban grid, Luke AFB runway complex, Estrella Mountains to the south.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Luke Afb (LUF) takes Approximately 10-15 minutes in the air, though likely longer on the ground taxiing and in pattern work given LUF's military traffic patterns.

The flight crosses directly over the flat western Phoenix metro — Tempe and Chandler give way quickly to the Glendale and Peoria suburban sprawl. The I-10 and Loop 101 freeway corridors are clearly visible as major linear features cutting through the grid. The terrain is essentially flat desert basin the entire route, with the White Tank Mountains becoming visible to the northwest within minutes of takeoff.