Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Ottawa. While takeoff favors the right for Phoenix views, the landing approach into Ottawa from the west provides superior scenery on the left side with the Gatineau Hills, river valleys, and city geography. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the immediate Phoenix metropolitan area and the northern approach over the Salt River Valley. You'll see the city grid and surrounding desert terrain clearly during the initial climb-out northeastward. Notable sights include: Phoenix city center and sprawl, Salt River Valley floor, McDowell Mountains to the northeast, Sonoran Desert scrubland.

When landing at Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best views during approach into Ottawa. You'll see the Gatineau Hills and the Ottawa River valley as you descend from the west, with the city's location at the confluence of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers becoming increasingly visible. Notable sights include: Gatineau Hills (Quebec side), Ottawa River, Rideau River confluence, Ottawa city center and Parliament Hill area.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW) takes Approximately 4 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Great Plains eastward from Arizona through New Mexico, Texas panhandle, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and into the Mississippi River valley. Notable features include the Canadian River in the Texas panhandle, the Arkansas River in Oklahoma/Kansas, the Missouri River near Kansas City, and the Mississippi River in Illinois/Missouri. The Ozark Plateau becomes visible in southern Missouri. Lake Michigan may be visible on the northeastern approach to Canadian airspace. The flight generally follows a northeast bearing (approximately 045-060°) at cruise altitude of 33,000-35,000 feet.