Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to St. Louis. The right side wins overall because the Phoenix departure offers the dramatic contrast of South Mountain and the Sierra Estrella against the vast desert valley, and during the cruise the right side tracks closer to the New Mexico highlands and the Zuni and Mogollon Rim terrain. The STL arrival view on the left is compelling but brief.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PHX primarily departs east on runways 25L/25R or west on 7L/7R. On eastbound departures toward STL, the aircraft climbs and turns northeast, putting the South Mountain Park and the Sierra Estrella range on the right side. The sprawling Phoenix metro grid is also clearly visible to the right as you climb out. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park (largest municipal park in the US, clearly visible as a dark rocky ridge), Sierra Estrella mountain range to the southwest, Salt River bed cutting through the valley floor, Phoenix downtown skyline.

When landing at Lambert St Louis International (STL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Lambert STL primarily uses runways 12L/12R or 30L/30R. On approaches from the west, aircraft typically fly over the Missouri River and approach from the southwest, putting the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis on the left side of the aircraft. The Mississippi River confluence area is also visible to the left. Notable sights include: Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis skyline, Mississippi River, Missouri River confluence near St. Charles, East St. Louis Illinois riverfront.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Lambert St Louis International (STL) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The flight crosses the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains of eastern Arizona, then the high desert plateau of western New Mexico near Gallup and the Continental Divide, followed by the flat shortgrass plains of eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle, then the rolling Ozark Plateau of southern Missouri before descending into the Mississippi River valley at St. Louis.