DFW to DEN: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Denver (DEN) is a 1,032 km (641 mi), roughly 1h 43m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime DFW 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
Views do not decide this route. Pick the shade side, then enjoy the city passes you get along the way.
This route does not pick a clear views side. Your seat choice comes down to shade, not scenery. The good news: you still get a few city passes on both sides, then a look at Denver on approach.
Takeoff
Right after departure from DFW, you can catch Dallas and Garland on the right, with Fort Worth and Arlington on the left, depending on the runway in use. Plano is also off to the right during the climb, so either side gets a quick city snapshot.
En route
- 25m inRight →Oklahoma City
About 25 minutes in, Oklahoma City sits off the right side.
- 48m in← LeftAmarillo
About 48 minutes in, Amarillo is off the left side.
Landing
On descent into DEN, Denver and Aurora sit off the left side, with Colorado Springs appearing about 7 minutes earlier, also on the left, 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 DFW 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 DFW 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 DFW to DEN?
The great-circle distance is 1,032 km (641 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 43m 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 is better for DFW to DEN views?
Views are neutral on this route, so the shade side is the better pick. You still get city passes on both sides during climb and cruise.
What will I see on the DFW to DEN flight?
Early on you can see Dallas and Garland on the right, Fort Worth and Arlington on the left, then Oklahoma City on the right and Amarillo on the left. Denver and Aurora come into view on the left near landing.