DEN to LAS: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Denver (DEN) to Las Vegas (LAS) is a 1,009 km (627 mi), roughly 1h 41m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime DEN to LAS 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 | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Right |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are split on this route, so they do not give one side a clean win. Follow the shade advice instead: the right side is the shaded side on typical daytime flights.
This route is split for views, so the shade side matters more than the scenery call. You get a mix of Colorado peaks, Utah parks, and a clear approach into Las Vegas.
Takeoff
After departure from DEN, the first minutes lean left for Denver and Aurora, both very close and nearly under you depending on the runway in use. A little later, Rocky Mountain National Park sits off the right side during the climb, depending on the runway in use.
En route
- 17m in← LeftMount Elbert
About 17 minutes in, Mount Elbert is off the left side. You see a sharp mountain profile, not a full panorama.
- 44m inRight →Arches National Park
About 44 minutes in, Arches National Park is on the right. It is a side-window view, not an overhead one.
- 48m in← LeftCanyonlands National Park · passes underneath
Around 48 minutes in, Canyonlands National Park passes nearly under you on the left. It is a brief, steep view rather than a long look.
- 56m in← LeftMonument Valley
Near 56 minutes in, Monument Valley stays left. The broad desert forms are easier to catch than fine detail.
- 1h 09m inRight →Bryce Canyon National Park
Around 69 minutes in, Bryce Canyon National Park appears on the right. It is another side-view park as the flight heads south-westward.
Landing
On descent into LAS, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam come up on the left side. Las Vegas and North Las Vegas are nearly under you on the right close to touchdown, depending on the runway in use.
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 DEN to LAS?
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 DEN to LAS flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from DEN to LAS?
The great-circle distance is 1,009 km (627 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 41m 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 has the better views on DEN to LAS?
Neither side wins outright. The route is balanced for views, so choose the shaded side instead: right.
What can you see on the DEN to LAS flight?
You get Denver and Aurora after departure, then Colorado and Utah landmarks like Mount Elbert, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Las Vegas on approach.