Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Miami. The left side wins overall because the Miami arrival view — Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay, and the downtown skyline on approach — is one of the most visually dramatic urban arrivals in the US. The left side also tracks the Gulf Coast states during cruise, with occasional views of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline over Texas and Louisiana. The right side takeoff view from PHX is good but shorter-lived.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX typically departs east on runway 26R/26L or uses runways oriented east-west. Eastbound departures on the right side give you a clear view of South Mountain Park and the Superstition Mountains to the southeast. The Salt River valley and Tempe Town Lake are also visible before you climb out over the desert. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park, Superstition Mountains, Tempe Town Lake, Camelback Mountain.

When landing at Miami International (MIA), sit on the Left side for the best views. MIA typically lands westbound on runways 08L/08R or 09, meaning the approach comes in from the east over the Atlantic and Biscayne Bay. Left side seats get a clear view of Miami Beach, the Art Deco district, Biscayne Bay, and downtown Miami's skyline on final approach. Right side looks mostly over the Everglades. Notable sights include: Miami Beach barrier island, Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami skyline, Port of Miami.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Miami International (MIA) takes Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.

The route crosses southeastern Arizona desert and the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, then tracks over west Texas including the Guadalupe Mountains visible to the south. Over central and east Texas the terrain flattens into the Edwards Plateau and then the Gulf Coastal Plain. The route passes near San Antonio and Houston before crossing Louisiana's bayou country and the Mississippi River delta. Over southern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, the vast wetlands and barrier islands of the Atchafalaya Basin and Louisiana marshes are visible. The final segment crosses the Florida peninsula, with the Everglades' sawgrass prairies and water conservation areas visible before the Miami metro comes into view.