DEN to SLC: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Denver (DEN) to Salt Lake City (SLC) is a 628 km (390 mi), roughly 1h 14m 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 SLC 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 | Right | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not settle this one, so follow the shade side on the right.
This route does not lean on one scenic side. Your best bet is the shade side on the right, with the strongest named feature coming late in the flight.
Takeoff
Shortly after departure from DEN, you pass Denver and then Aurora on the left, depending on the runway in use. They sit off to that side during climb, but they move by fast.
En route
- 11m inRight →Rocky Mountain National Park
About 11 minutes in, Rocky Mountain National Park is on the right. It is a quick climb-phase look, so expect only a brief view rather than a long stretch.
Landing
On descent into SLC, the Great Salt Lake comes in on the right, depending on the runway in use. It is the clean late-flight view on this route.
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 SLC?
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 SLC 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 DEN to SLC?
The great-circle distance is 628 km (390 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 14m 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 for DEN to SLC?
Sit on the right for shade. The views do not pick a winner here.
What will I see after takeoff from DEN?
Denver and Aurora are on the left early in the climb, depending on the runway in use.