Pittsburgh to Denver flight path: PIT to DEN

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Pittsburgh to Denver. The takeoff-side view from Pittsburgh is only a fleeting glance at the rivers before the terrain flattens into unremarkable farmland for the long cruise. The right side's payoff on arrival - the Rocky Mountains rising behind Denver - is a much bigger and more sustained scenic reward, tipping the balance despite equally flat cruise scenery on both sides.

During takeoff from Pittsburgh International (PIT), sit on the Left side for the best views. PIT's runway 28 departure heads almost due west, which is nearly identical to the route heading, so there's little turning. Passengers on the left (south-facing) side may catch a brief look back at Pittsburgh's three-rivers confluence and downtown skyline just after liftoff before the terrain gives way to the wooded Allegheny Plateau. Notable sights include: Point State Park river confluence, Downtown Pittsburgh skyline, Ohio River valley, Allegheny Plateau hills.

When landing at Denver International (DEN), sit on the Right side for the best views. With Denver's south-flowing wind pattern, arrivals from the east typically turn onto a southbound final approach for the 17-series runways. On that heading, the Front Range of the Rockies and the Denver skyline sit off to the right (west), giving a strong visual payoff during descent. Notable sights include: Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Denver downtown skyline, South Platte River, high plains meeting the foothills.

The flight from Pittsburgh International (PIT) to Denver International (DEN) takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,287 miles (2,071 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Flat agricultural plains of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, and the rolling farmland of Iowa and Nebraska before the terrain begins rising gradually toward the Colorado Front Range.