SLC to DEN: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Salt Lake City (SLC) to Denver (DEN) is a 628 km (390 mi), roughly 1h 14m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime SLC 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 | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. Pick the left side for shade.
This route is a simple one for views. The window seat choice is mostly about sun, not scenery. The clearest sightline is on the left.
Takeoff
After takeoff, depending on the runway in use, the Great Salt Lake sits off the left side during climb. It is the first clear landmark before the cruise settles in.
En route
- 1h 03m in← LeftRocky Mountain National Park
About an hour in, Rocky Mountain National Park appears on the left during descent. It comes in late and low, so you get a brief look rather than a long show.
Landing
On approach to Denver, depending on the runway in use, the right side faces the city and then Aurora as you come down. It is a short final stretch, so the views are quick and close to the ground.
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 SLC 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 SLC to DEN 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 SLC to DEN?
The great-circle distance is 628 km (390 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 14m 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 SLC to DEN?
Sit on the left for shade. Views are limited on this route, so the sun call matters more than the scenery.
What can I see on the flight from Salt Lake City to Denver?
You may catch the Great Salt Lake soon after takeoff on the left, and Rocky Mountain National Park late in descent on the left.