About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tulsa International (TUL) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tulsa to Phoenix. The right side wins overall because the Phoenix approach delivers the most dramatic and concentrated scenery — Camelback Mountain and the McDowell Mountains are genuinely striking landmarks. The Tulsa departure is pleasant but relatively flat. Midway through the flight, the right side also picks up views of the New Mexico high desert and the transition into the Sonoran Desert landscape.
What can I see during takeoff from Tulsa International in Tulsa?
During takeoff from Tulsa International (TUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Tulsa typically heads west or southwest on runway 18L/36R or 8/26. A left (south/southeast) window gives you a view back over downtown Tulsa, the Arkansas River, and the broader Green Country landscape as you climb out. The city grid and river bend are clearly identifiable before you gain altitude. Notable sights include: Downtown Tulsa skyline, Arkansas River bend, Keystone Lake to the west, Green Country rolling hills.
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 sits east of downtown Phoenix, and aircraft typically approach from the east on runway 26 or from the north on runway 25L/R, heading west. A right (north-facing) window gives you a clear view of the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, and the dense Phoenix metro grid spreading across the Salt River Valley floor. Notable sights include: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, Salt River bed, Phoenix metro grid.
How long is the flight from Tulsa to Phoenix?
The flight from Tulsa International (TUL) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Tulsa to Phoenix flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Oklahoma plains into the Texas Panhandle, then over the high desert of eastern New Mexico near Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. You pass south of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande valley, then cross the Continental Divide in western New Mexico before descending into the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. The terrain transitions dramatically from flat grassland to high desert plateau to basin-and-range topography.