Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sacramento to Phoenix. The right side delivers the more dramatic scenery overall. The Sierra Nevada on departure is visually spectacular, especially with snow. Through the mid-flight over the Mojave and Arizona desert, the right side tracks closer to the Colorado River corridor and the rugged desert ranges of western Arizona. The left side wins at landing, but the Sierra Nevada departure view tips the balance to the right.

During takeoff from Sacramento International (SMF), sit on the Right side for the best views. SMF typically departs south on runway 34L/34R or north, but the dominant southbound departures swing southeast toward the Sierra Nevada. The right side gives you a clear look at the Sacramento Valley floor and the rising Sierra Nevada foothills to the east, including the prominent snow-capped peaks around Lake Tahoe on clear days. Notable sights include: Sierra Nevada range (including Tahoe-area peaks), Sacramento River delta and valley floor, Folsom Lake reservoir, Sacramento city grid.

When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Phoenix Sky Harbor typically lands on runways 26 or 25L/25R from the east, meaning the aircraft approaches from the east heading west. The left side faces south and gives a panoramic view of South Mountain Park, the broad Phoenix metro grid, and the distinctive Superstition Mountains receding behind you as you descend. Notable sights include: Superstition Mountains to the east, South Mountain Park and preserve, Phoenix downtown skyline, Salt River and its dry riverbed channels.

The flight from Sacramento International (SMF) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

The flight crosses the northern San Joaquin Valley briefly, then the Tehachapi Mountains or Mojave Desert depending on routing, followed by the vast Mojave Desert with scattered volcanic ranges. Over Arizona, the route crosses the Harquahala and White Tank Mountains west of Phoenix, with the Colorado River valley visible to the right on some routings.