DEN to PHX: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX) is a 968 km (601 mi), roughly 1h 38m southbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime DEN to PHX 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
The right side wins for both views and shade.
Sit on the right. The same side also gets the shade, so you get the better light and the better views on this run.
Takeoff
After takeoff from Denver, depending on the runway in use, you may see Denver close on the right as you climb, with Aurora briefly near the nose on the left.
En route
- 17m inRight →Mount Elbert
About 17 minutes in, Mount Elbert is on the right. You get a clean look at Colorado’s highest peak.
- 44m inRight →Canyonlands National Park
Around 44 minutes in, Canyonlands National Park sits on the right. It reads as a broad, dry expanse from cruise altitude.
- 44m inRight →Mesa Verde National Park
Also about 44 minutes in, Mesa Verde National Park is on the right. The terrain breaks into darker, flatter shapes against the surrounding land.
- 56m inRight →Monument Valley
Near 56 minutes in, Monument Valley stays on the right. The valley’s wide, open form stands out well from above.
- 1h 09m inRight →Painted Desert
About 69 minutes in, the Painted Desert is on the right. The ground shifts to lighter, patterned desert tones.
Landing
On descent into Phoenix, depending on the runway in use, Phoenix comes in close on the right, with Mesa and Scottsdale near the nose on the left side of the approach. Glendale sits on the right as you line up to land.
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 PHX?
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 PHX 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 PHX?
The great-circle distance is 968 km (601 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 38m in the air on this southbound 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 Denver to Phoenix?
Sit on the right. That side gets the better views and the shade on this route.
What can I see near Phoenix on approach?
You can see Phoenix close on the right, with Mesa and Scottsdale near the nose on the left and Glendale on the right, depending on the runway in use.