AMS to DTW: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Amsterdam (AMS) to Detroit (DTW) is a 6,324 km (3,929 mi), roughly 7h 56m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime AMS to DTW departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Both |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Left side wins for views, but it also gets the sun. If you want the best look outside, sit left. If you want less glare, the right side is easier on the eyes.
Left gets the best views on this AMS to DTW flight, but it also sits in the sun. You choose between clearer scenery and more glare.
Takeoff
On climbout from AMS, depending on the runway in use, the left side can pick out Rotterdam and The Hague soon after departure. Almere and Marken sit to the other side, so the early show is one-sided.
En route
- 29m in← LeftNottingham
About half an hour in, Nottingham comes up on the left.
- 32m in← LeftSheffield
A few minutes later, Sheffield is also left of the aircraft.
- 36m in← LeftManchester
Manchester follows on the left during cruise.
- 59m in← LeftLough Neagh
Roughly an hour in, Lough Neagh appears on the left as a broad dark shape.
- 7h 30m in← LeftToronto
Near descent, Toronto sits on the left, with Lake Ontario before it.
Landing
On descent into DTW, depending on the runway in use, Detroit and Windsor pass almost under you on the left, so they can flash by quickly. Lake Saint Clair and Toledo stay left too, but by then the view is already tightening up.
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 AMS to DTW?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on AMS to DTW 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 AMS to DTW?
The great-circle distance is 6,324 km (3,929 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 56m in the air on this westbound 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 AMS to DTW for the best views?
Sit on the left. The route’s stronger landmarks are on that side for most of the flight.
Which side gets the sun on AMS to DTW?
The left side gets the sun, so it can be brighter and a bit glarier than the right.