The left side wins thanks to a dramatic Rocky Mountain departure and, during cruise, the chance to see the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and Iceland's coastline off to the north as the great-circle route bends across the North Atlantic — features the right side, dominated by open ocean, largely misses.
Flight Path
Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield lakes, the Davis Strait, the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet, and the open North Atlantic toward Iceland
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DEN
LEFTDeparting DEN, the flight track curves north then northeast, keeping the abrupt wall of the Rocky Mountains' Front Range in view on the left for several minutes, along with a glimpse of downtown Denver's skyline before the climb turns the aircraft away to the east.
Landing at FRA
RIGHTOn the typical westerly approach into Frankfurt, the aircraft crosses the wooded Taunus ridge and the Rhine-Main lowlands on the right side, with the distant skyscraper cluster of downtown Frankfurt briefly visible before the runway threshold.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Denver International (DEN) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Denver to Frankfurt. The left side wins thanks to a dramatic Rocky Mountain departure and, during cruise, the chance to see the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and Iceland's coastline off to the north as the great-circle route bends across the North Atlantic — features the right side, dominated by open ocean, largely misses.
What can I see during takeoff from Denver International in Denver?
During takeoff from Denver International (DEN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing DEN, the flight track curves north then northeast, keeping the abrupt wall of the Rocky Mountains' Front Range in view on the left for several minutes, along with a glimpse of downtown Denver's skyline before the climb turns the aircraft away to the east. Notable sights include: Front Range foothills, Longs Peak, Mount Evans, downtown Denver skyline.
What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the typical westerly approach into Frankfurt, the aircraft crosses the wooded Taunus ridge and the Rhine-Main lowlands on the right side, with the distant skyscraper cluster of downtown Frankfurt briefly visible before the runway threshold. Notable sights include: Taunus hills, Rhine-Main plain, Frankfurt skyline, Main river.
How long is the flight from Denver to Frankfurt?
The flight from Denver International (DEN) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes 9h 45m.
What does the Denver to Frankfurt flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield lakes, the Davis Strait, the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet, and the open North Atlantic toward Iceland