Detroit to Denver flight path: DTW to DEN

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Denver. The right side wins out thanks to a scenic bookend effect: Detroit's skyline and waterways on departure, and the dramatic rise of the Rocky Mountains on arrival into Denver, while the left side offers mostly featureless Midwestern plains throughout.

During takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DTW to the southwest before turning onto a westerly course toward Denver, the right side offers a brief but clear view of the Detroit skyline, the Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair as the city falls away below. The left side only shows flat suburban sprawl with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Detroit skyline and Renaissance Center, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, Windsor Ontario across the river.

When landing at Denver International (DEN), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Denver, the descent path and turn onto final typically keep the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains visible off the right side, with the jagged foothills rising abruptly from the plains. The left side mostly faces the flat eastern plains with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Denver metro skyline, South Platte River valley, high plains terrain.

The flight from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Denver International (DEN) takes about 3 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,120 miles (1,802 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

The route crosses the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, then continues over the flat farmland of Iowa and Nebraska, following roughly along the Platte River valley before the Rocky Mountains rise into view near the Colorado border.