Philadelphia to Denver flight path: PHL to DEN

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Philadelphia to Denver. The right side combines a brief but genuine Philadelphia skyline view at takeoff with the dramatic Front Range backdrop during the Denver approach, while the left side mostly overlooks flat, repetitive Midwestern farmland with no comparable landmarks.

During takeoff from Philadelphia International (PHL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Westbound departures from PHL use the 27 runways, climbing out over the city. Philadelphia's airport sits just southwest of Center City, so the skyline and the bend of the Schuylkill/Delaware rivers fall into view on the right side as the plane banks onto its westward heading. Notable sights include: Center City Philadelphia skyline, Schuylkill River, Delaware River, South Philadelphia refineries.

When landing at Denver International (DEN), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into DEN, arrivals from the east typically loop and align with the north-south runway complex, putting the Front Range of the Rockies off to the west side of the aircraft during the turn to final. The right side gets the clearest, sustained view of the mountain wall rising behind the flat Denver plains. Notable sights include: Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Longs Peak area, Denver metro skyline, South Platte River.

The flight from Philadelphia International (PHL) to Denver International (DEN) takes 4h 10m.

Allegheny Front ridges of the Appalachians in central Pennsylvania, the Ohio/Mississippi River lowlands near the Iowa-Illinois border, and the flat Great Plains of Nebraska and eastern Colorado leading up to the Front Range.