PHX to DFW: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Phoenix (PHX) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is a 1,393 km (866 mi), roughly 2h 8m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime PHX to DFW departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not settle this route, so go with the left side for shade.
On this PHX to DFW flight, views are mixed, so the window seat does not settle the question. Pick the left side for shade.
Takeoff
After takeoff from PHX, depending on the runway in use, you may get a quick sweep past Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Mesa as the jet climbs. Some of those cities sit almost under the flight path, so the view is brief and steep rather than wide open.
En route
- 45m in← LeftAlbuquerque
About 45 minutes in, Albuquerque sits off the left side. It is a clear city shape from cruise height, with the larger metro spread easy to pick out.
- 47m inRight →El Paso
Around 47 minutes in, El Paso appears on the right. You get a broad city view, not a close pass.
- 50m inRight →White Sands National Park
A few minutes later, White Sands National Park is on the right. It is a pale patch against the darker ground, easy to spot from above.
- 1h 05m inRight →Carlsbad Caverns National Park
About 65 minutes in, Carlsbad Caverns National Park stays on the right. It is a distant landform view, more about the terrain than detail.
- 1h 26m in← LeftLubbock
Around 86 minutes in, Lubbock comes up on the left. It reads as a city spread rather than a single landmark.
Landing
On descent into DFW, depending on the runway in use, the right side lines up with Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington. Garland and Plano sit on the left, so the last stretch still gives you a split view.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from PHX to DFW?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on PHX to DFW flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from PHX to DFW?
The great-circle distance is 1,393 km (866 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 8m in the air on this eastbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from PHX to DFW?
Sit on the left for shade. Views are mixed on this route, so the window choice mainly comes down to sun.
What will I see after takeoff from Phoenix?
Depending on the runway in use, you can catch Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Mesa during climb. Some are nearly under the aircraft, so the look is short.