SEA to DEN: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Seattle (SEA) to Denver (DEN) is a 1,645 km (1,022 mi), roughly 2h 26m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime SEA 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 | Left | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Both | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. Pick the shaded side for comfort, then expect a mixed window show on both sides.
This route is split. Views do not pick a side, so shade does the deciding. You get a good mix of cities, mountains, and one near-overhead park on the way down.
Takeoff
After takeoff from SEA, depending on the runway in use, Seattle sits to your left while Tacoma is to your right. About 6 minutes in, the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier are also on the right, so that side starts with the stronger climb-out views.
En route
- 28m in← LeftSpokane
About 28 minutes in, Spokane is on the left. It reads as a broad city shape from cruising height, not a close-up skyline.
- 54m inRight →Boise
Around 54 minutes in, Boise is on the right. You catch the city spread rather than a single standout landmark.
- 1h 07m inRight →Rocky Mountains
Near 67 minutes in, the Rocky Mountains are on the right. You get the broad mountain line across that side of the cabin.
- 1h 24m in← LeftYellowstone National Park
About 84 minutes in, Yellowstone National Park is on the left. From up here, it is more about the scale of the land than any one feature.
- 1h 27m in← LeftGrand Teton National Park
A few minutes later, around 87 minutes in, Grand Teton National Park stays on the left. It passes quickly, but it is still a clear left-side look.
Landing
On descent into DEN, depending on the runway in use, Denver and Aurora sit to the right. Then Rocky Mountain National Park comes up on the right at about 137 minutes and nearly under the aircraft, so that view is brief and steep rather than lingering.
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 SEA 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 SEA to DEN 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 SEA to DEN?
The great-circle distance is 1,645 km (1,022 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 26m 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 SEA to DEN?
Choose the left side for shade. Views are mixed on this route, so the window answer comes from the sun, not the scenery.
What will I actually see on this flight?
You get a mix of cities and mountain country. Early on, Seattle is left and Tacoma, the Cascades, and Mount Rainier are on the right. Later, Spokane, Boise, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Rocky Mountain area all pass in sequence.