About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Phoenix. While the left side wins at takeoff, the right side delivers more throughout the flight — the Central Valley farmland, the transition into the Mojave and Sonoran Desert, and the dramatic Phoenix arrival with Camelback Mountain make it the stronger overall seat. The left side at SFO is excellent but brief.
What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?
During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west before turning south, and a left-side seat gives you a clear view back over San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge as you climb out. The Peninsula stretches out below with excellent visibility of the urban grid and waterfront. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, SF city skyline, San Mateo Bridge.
What can I see when landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Phoenix?
When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Phoenix Sky Harbor's primary arrival runways (26/25R) bring aircraft in from the east heading west, so a right-side seat faces north and gives you a clear view of the Phoenix metro grid, Camelback Mountain, and the McDowell Mountains as you descend. The Sonoran Desert landscape and the dense urban sprawl of the Valley of the Sun are laid out clearly on this side. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, Phoenix downtown skyline, Salt River bed.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Phoenix?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
What does the San Francisco to Phoenix flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over the San Joaquin Valley, crossing the Tehachapi Mountains near Bakersfield, then over the Mojave Desert and the Colorado River near Blythe before entering Arizona. The transition from irrigated Central Valley farmland to stark Mojave desert is visually striking. The Salton Sea may be visible to the south depending on routing. Eastern California and western Arizona are largely flat desert with occasional dry lake beds and mountain ranges.