SFO to DEN: which side of the plane should you sit on?
San Francisco (SFO) to Denver (DEN) is a 1,553 km (965 mi), roughly 2h 20m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime SFO 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 | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side wins for views, but it is also the sunny side. If you want the clearest look outside, choose right. If you want less glare, the left side is better.
Sit on the right for the best views on this route. That side also takes the sun, so you get a tradeoff: better scenery, more glare.
Takeoff
After takeoff, keep an eye on the left for San Francisco, Oakland, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge, depending on the runway in use. San Jose slides into view on the right a few minutes later.
En route
- 9m in← LeftStockton · passes underneath
About 10 minutes in, Stockton sits very close and nearly under the aircraft on the left, so it flashes by fast.
- 22m inRight →Yosemite National Park
Around 20 minutes in, Yosemite National Park is on the right, along with Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. You get the big Sierra country from that side.
- 24m in← LeftReno
A little after 20 minutes, Reno appears on the left, a quick city view before the route turns back to the mountain side.
- 29m inRight →Mount Whitney
Near half an hour in, Mount Whitney is on the right. It is far out, but it marks the route’s high-country sweep.
- 1h 41m inRight →Arches National Park
Late in the flight, around an hour and 40 minutes in, Arches National Park is on the right. It is one of the last major sightlines before descent.
Landing
On descent, Rocky Mountain National Park comes into view on the left, depending on the runway in use. Close to landing, Aurora and Denver are on the right, with Denver nearly beneath you as you come in.
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 SFO 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 SFO 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 SFO to DEN?
The great-circle distance is 1,553 km (965 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 20m 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 from SFO to DEN?
Sit on the right for the best views. The left side is the shade side, but it gives up the main scenery.
What will I see near takeoff and landing on SFO to DEN?
Near takeoff, the left side gets San Francisco, Oakland, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge, with San Jose on the right soon after. Near landing, Rocky Mountain National Park is on the left, while Aurora and Denver are on the right.