PHX to DEN: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Phoenix (PHX) to Denver (DEN) is a 968 km (601 mi), roughly 1h 38m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime PHX to DEN 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 | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Both | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Left side wins for both views and shade on this route.
Sit on the left for the best views and the shade. This northbound hop gives you a strong desert-and-canyon run before the mountains on descent.
Takeoff
Shortly after takeoff, depending on the runway in use, Phoenix sits almost under you on the left. Glendale is also on the left, while Chandler, Mesa, and Scottsdale fall to the right as you climb.
En route
- 22m in← LeftGrand Canyon
About 20 minutes in, the Grand Canyon sits far out on the left. It is a big, steep cut in the land, so you catch the shape more than the detail.
- 29m in← LeftPainted Desert
A few minutes later, the Painted Desert stays on the left too. Expect broad, dry terrain in muted tones, not a single standout object.
- 42m in← LeftMonument Valley
Around 40 minutes in, Monument Valley comes up on the left. You see the open basin and the isolated forms spread across it.
- 54m in← LeftMesa Verde National Park
Near the halfway point, Mesa Verde National Park remains on the left. It is one of the clearest left-side picks on the cruise.
- 1h 21m in← LeftMount Elbert
About 80 minutes in, Mount Elbert appears on the left during descent. It is the highest mountain in Colorado, so the profile stands out when the air is clear.
Landing
On approach, depending on the runway in use, Denver comes in on the left and gets nearly overhead near the end. Aurora is on the right, so the last look is split between both sides.
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 PHX to DEN?
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 PHX 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 PHX to DEN?
The great-circle distance is 968 km (601 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 38m 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 should I sit on from PHX to DEN?
Sit on the left. It gets the better views here, and it is also the shaded side.
What will I see on the PHX to DEN flight?
You get Phoenix on departure, then the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde National Park, and Mount Elbert before landing near Denver.