Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Denver. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over eastern Oregon and southern Idaho, the left side also keeps you oriented toward the Snake River Plain and distant Sawtooth ranges, while the right side faces open high desert. Left is the clear choice for the full journey.

During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically departs east on runway 28L/28R or south on runway 21. On an eastbound departure toward Denver, the left (north) side gives you a clear view of the Columbia River and then Mount Hood as the aircraft climbs and turns southeast. The right side faces south toward the Tualatin Valley with less dramatic scenery. Notable sights include: Columbia River, Mount Hood, Portland city grid, Columbia River Gorge entrance.

When landing at Denver International (DEN), sit on the Left side for the best views. DEN typically lands from the east or southeast on runways oriented northeast-southwest. Approaching from the west, the left side faces south and gives a prolonged view of the entire Front Range — from Pikes Peak in the south to Longs Peak in the north — as the aircraft descends over the plains. The right side faces north and east toward the flat eastern plains with little of interest. Notable sights include: Rocky Mountain Front Range, Longs Peak, Pikes Peak, Denver city skyline.

The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Denver International (DEN) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.

The route crosses the Columbia Plateau of eastern Oregon, then the Snake River Plain in southern Idaho with the Snake River occasionally visible, followed by the high desert of southwestern Wyoming near the Wyoming Basin, before descending over the Colorado high plains toward Denver. The Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah may be visible to the south during the Wyoming segment.