Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise portion heading east-southeast, the left side also faces north, giving occasional views of the Mogollon Rim terrain in Arizona and the Davis Mountains area of west Texas as distant ridgelines on the horizon.
Flown PHX to SAT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Phoenix to San Antonio is 841 miles (1,354 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
The flight crosses the Sonoran Desert east of Phoenix, then the rugged basin-and-range terrain of southern New Mexico including the Chihuahuan Desert transition zone, the Rio Grande valley near Las Cruces visible as a thin green corridor, then the flat Chihuahuan Desert grasslands of west Texas, and finally the Edwards Plateau limestone terrain approaching San Antonio from the west.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from PHX
LEFTPHX typically departs east on runway 26R/25L or uses runways oriented east-west. Climbing out eastbound and turning southeast toward SAT, the left (north) side gives you a clear view of the South Mountain Park massif and the downtown Phoenix grid. The right side faces south toward flat desert with less visual interest.
Landing at SAT
LEFTSAT typically lands on runway 12R/12L (heading southeast) or runway 30 (heading northwest). On approach from the west-northwest on runway 12, the left side faces northeast toward downtown San Antonio and the distinctive bend of the San Antonio River. The right side looks toward flat suburban sprawl with less to see.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to San Antonio International (SAT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to San Antonio. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise portion heading east-southeast, the left side also faces north, giving occasional views of the Mogollon Rim terrain in Arizona and the Davis Mountains area of west Texas as distant ridgelines on the horizon.
What can I see during takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Phoenix?
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 uses runways oriented east-west. Climbing out eastbound and turning southeast toward SAT, the left (north) side gives you a clear view of the South Mountain Park massif and the downtown Phoenix grid. The right side faces south toward flat desert with less visual interest. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park (largest municipal park in the US, visible as a dark rocky ridge south of the city), Camelback Mountain (distinctive camel-hump silhouette to the northeast), the Salt River channel cutting west through the valley, downtown Phoenix skyline.
What can I see when landing at San Antonio International in San Antonio?
When landing at San Antonio International (SAT), sit on the Left side for the best views. SAT typically lands on runway 12R/12L (heading southeast) or runway 30 (heading northwest). On approach from the west-northwest on runway 12, the left side faces northeast toward downtown San Antonio and the distinctive bend of the San Antonio River. The right side looks toward flat suburban sprawl with less to see. Notable sights include: Downtown San Antonio skyline and the Tower of the Americas, the San Antonio River winding through the urban core, Lackland AFB and Kelly Field to the southwest (visible as large runway complexes), the flat Hill Country escarpment to the northwest.
How long is the flight from Phoenix to San Antonio?
The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to San Antonio International (SAT) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 841 miles (1,354 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Phoenix to San Antonio flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Sonoran Desert east of Phoenix, then the rugged basin-and-range terrain of southern New Mexico including the Chihuahuan Desert transition zone, the Rio Grande valley near Las Cruces visible as a thin green corridor, then the flat Chihuahuan Desert grasslands of west Texas, and finally the Edwards Plateau limestone terrain approaching San Antonio from the west.