DEN to ORD: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Denver (DEN) to Chicago (ORD) is a 1,426 km (886 mi), roughly 2h 11m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime DEN to ORD 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 | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side gives you the better views, but it also gets more sun. If you fly later in the day, that glare eases a bit, since the sun shifts left. If shade matters more, take the left.
Sit on the right for the best views, but expect more sun there too. The left side stays shadier.
Takeoff
After takeoff from DEN, depending on the runway in use, Denver and Aurora sit off to the right as you climb out.
En route
- 1h 03m inRight →Lincoln
About an hour in, Lincoln appears on the right, well off the wing.
- 1h 09m inRight →Omaha · passes underneath
A few minutes later, Omaha comes almost under the aircraft on the right. It is a quick, steep pass.
- 1h 27m in← LeftDes Moines · passes underneath
Around an hour and a half in, Des Moines slides by on the left, also very close to the track.
Landing
On descent into ORD, depending on the runway in use, Chicago sits off to the right as you come in.
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 ORD?
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 DEN to ORD 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 DEN to ORD?
The great-circle distance is 1,426 km (886 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 11m 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 DEN to ORD?
Sit on the right for the stronger views. Sit on the left if you want the shade.
What do you see on this flight from DEN to ORD?
You get Denver and Aurora after takeoff, then Lincoln, Omaha, and Des Moines en route, with Chicago on arrival.