Oakland to Denver is 955 miles (1,537 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
The right side captures the two most visually rewarding moments of the flight: the San Francisco Bay skyline during departure and the Rocky Mountain Front Range during arrival. The left side spends most of the flight facing the emptier Great Basin and plains, with only distant glimpses of Sierra Nevada peaks or the Great Salt Lake region.
Flight Path
Sierra Nevada foothills give way to Nevada's Great Basin desert basins and ranges, with the route passing near the Bonneville Salt Flats and the Great Salt Lake before climbing toward the Wasatch Range and the Rockies.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from OAK
RIGHTOAK eastbound departures climb out over the bay before banking south toward the Altamont Pass corridor, putting San Francisco's skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the water right outside the right-side windows during the turn. The left side mostly shows the Oakland/Berkeley hills, which are far less distinctive.
Landing at DEN
RIGHTWhen Denver operations favor the south-facing 17-series runways, arriving aircraft descend from the north, putting the Front Range foothills and higher Rocky Mountain peaks off the right side during final approach. The left side instead faces the flat eastern plains, which offer little visual interest.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK) to Denver International (DEN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Oakland to Denver. The right side captures the two most visually rewarding moments of the flight: the San Francisco Bay skyline during departure and the Rocky Mountain Front Range during arrival. The left side spends most of the flight facing the emptier Great Basin and plains, with only distant glimpses of Sierra Nevada peaks or the Great Salt Lake region.
What can I see during takeoff from Metropolitan Oakland International in Oakland?
During takeoff from Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK), sit on the Right side for the best views. OAK eastbound departures climb out over the bay before banking south toward the Altamont Pass corridor, putting San Francisco's skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the water right outside the right-side windows during the turn. The left side mostly shows the Oakland/Berkeley hills, which are far less distinctive. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Port of Oakland container cranes.
What can I see when landing at Denver International in Denver?
When landing at Denver International (DEN), sit on the Right side for the best views. When Denver operations favor the south-facing 17-series runways, arriving aircraft descend from the north, putting the Front Range foothills and higher Rocky Mountain peaks off the right side during final approach. The left side instead faces the flat eastern plains, which offer little visual interest. Notable sights include: Front Range foothills, Longs Peak, Mount Evans, high plains transitioning to mountains.
How long is the flight from Oakland to Denver?
The flight from Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK) to Denver International (DEN) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 955 miles (1,537 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Oakland to Denver flight path pass over?
Sierra Nevada foothills give way to Nevada's Great Basin desert basins and ranges, with the route passing near the Bonneville Salt Flats and the Great Salt Lake before climbing toward the Wasatch Range and the Rockies.