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November travel from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Phoenix (All Airports) (PHXA) offers cooler California weather and fewer summer crowds except around Thanksgiving. Typical flight duration for nonstop routes is under two hours, and frequent daily departures make November a flexible month to travel for leisure or business. Expect higher traffic around U.S. holidays; purchasing tickets earlier and using mid-week travel windows can save money.
November is an excellent month to arrive in Phoenix (All Airports) (PHXA): pleasant weather, fewer summer crowds, and the beginning of the region’s peak tourist window. Expect robust seasonal demand from visitors heading to Scottsdale golf resorts, Sedona hikes, or the Grand Canyon. Smooth arrival requires advance car rental and hotel reservations during long holiday weekends.
November features several events that can influence SMF–PHXA travel plans. In Sacramento, expect community observances around Veterans Day and early holiday markets later in the month. In the Phoenix metro area, November brings Día de los Muertos and All Souls events (nearby Tucson), Veterans Day ceremonies, the start of the high season for golf and outdoor festivals, and the beginning of holiday light displays in many downtowns and suburbs. These events can increase hotel occupancy and airport arrivals, especially on holiday weekends.
For the best combination of price and convenience, fly Tuesday or Wednesday mornings from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Phoenix (All Airports) (PHXA) in November. Early November (first two weeks) usually offers lower fares than the week of Thanksgiving. If traveling for Thanksgiving, consider departing on Thanksgiving Day itself or the Saturday after to avoid the heaviest airport crowds on the Wednesday before and the Sunday after. Book 4–8 weeks in advance for optimal fares on non-peak November travel.
Nonstop flights from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Phoenix (All Airports) (PHXA) are the fastest option, typically under two hours and ideal for short trips or tight schedules. Connecting flights can be cheaper but add travel time and increase the chance of missed connections, especially during busy November travel days. Common connecting hubs for this route include Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Las Vegas (LAS). If you value convenience and time savings, choose nonstop; if you prioritize price and are flexible with time, a one-stop itinerary may save money.
Major carriers serving the SMF→PHXA corridor in November include Southwest Airlines (frequent nonstop flights, two free checked bags for many fares), American Airlines (hub connectivity and loyalty perks), Alaska Airlines (competitive fares and West Coast network), and occasionally Delta with connecting options. Southwest often offers the most nonstop frequency and flexible change policies; American and Alaska provide loyalty integration and partner connections. Compare total price including baggage and seat selection to determine the true value for November travel.
Pack layered clothing: Sacramento mornings can be cool and rainy while Phoenix days are warm and nights cool. Bring sunscreen for daytime outings in Arizona and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated in the desert air. For November road trips (Sedona, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff), check elevation-related weather changes and bring warmer layers for higher altitudes. Reserve rental cars and accommodations early for Thanksgiving and long weekends, and allow extra time for TSA screening and airport crowds during holiday periods.
Nonstop flights from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Phoenix (All Airports) (PHXA) typically take about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes gate-to-gate in November, depending on winds and routing. There are multiple daily nonstop departures offered by carriers such as Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. During November, airlines may add flights for holiday demand; typical daily frequency ranges from 4–10 nonstop flights, with additional one-stop options via hubs like Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) if nonstop seats are limited.
To find cheap flights from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Phoenix (All Airports) (PHXA) in November, search 3–8 weeks ahead for non-holiday travel and 8–12 weeks ahead for Thanksgiving weekend. Use flexible-date searches to compare Tuesday/Wednesday departures which tend to be cheapest. Sign up for airline newsletters and fare alerts, compare major carriers (Southwest, American, Alaska) with low-cost options, and consider early-morning or late-night flights. Use multi-airline search tools, apply reward points if you have them, and clear your cookies or use incognito mode when comparing fares.