Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Memphis. Left side wins both departure and arrival. At PHX you get the Phoenix metro and Superstition Mountains on climb-out, and at MEM you get the Mississippi River and downtown Memphis on approach. The right side offers flat desert and flat Delta farmland at both ends.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHX typically departs east on runway 26R/25L or west on 8R/7L. On an eastbound departure toward Memphis, aircraft climb out heading east-northeast, putting the South Mountain Park and the Superstition Mountains on the left (north) side. The downtown Phoenix grid and Tempe Town Lake are also visible to the left during the initial climb. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park, Tempe Town Lake, Superstition Mountains, downtown Phoenix skyline.

When landing at Memphis International (MEM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Memphis International sits just south of the city, and aircraft typically approach from the west or southwest on runways oriented roughly east-west. On approach from the west, the left side faces north, giving a clear view of downtown Memphis, the Mississippi River, and the distinctive curve of the river at the Memphis waterfront. The right side faces south toward flat Mississippi Delta farmland with little of interest. Notable sights include: Mississippi River and its oxbow bends, downtown Memphis skyline, Mud Island, Arkansas Delta flatlands.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Memphis International (MEM) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

The flight crosses the high desert of eastern Arizona and the Mogollon Rim transition zone, then the flat plains of eastern New Mexico and west Texas near Amarillo, followed by the rolling Ozark Plateau of Arkansas before descending into the Mississippi Delta. The terrain transitions from arid basin-and-range topography to the flat alluvial Mississippi floodplain. The Arkansas River valley may be visible during descent.