AUS to DEN: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Austin (AUS) to Denver (DEN) is a 1,249 km (776 mi), roughly 1h 58m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime AUS to DEN 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 | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The left side wins for views, but it is also the sunny side. If you want the clearest look outside, choose left. If you want less glare, the right side is quieter.
Sit on the left for the best views on this northbound flight. That same side also gets the sun, so you trade shade for scenery.
Takeoff
After takeoff from Austin, depending on the runway in use, the city can be close and nearly under you on the left as you climb.
En route
- 22m inRight →Fort Worth
About 20 minutes in, Fort Worth is off the right side, so it is a quick look if you are seated there.
- 49m in← LeftLubbock
About half an hour in, Lubbock sits on the left.
- 1h 04m in← LeftAmarillo
Around an hour in, Amarillo comes into view on the left.
- 1h 50m in← LeftColorado Springs
Near descent, Colorado Springs appears on the left, briefly and from a steep angle.
Landing
On approach to Denver, depending on the runway in use, the city stays on the left as you come down, with Aurora just before it on the same side.
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 AUS to DEN?
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 AUS to DEN flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from AUS to DEN?
The great-circle distance is 1,249 km (776 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 58m in the air on this northbound 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 of the plane should I sit on from AUS to DEN?
Sit on the left if you want the best views. That side also gets more sun, so expect some glare.
What can I see on the AUS to DEN flight?
You get Austin after takeoff, then Lubbock and Amarillo on the left, Fort Worth on the right, and Colorado Springs and Denver on the left near arrival.