The right side delivers the trip's best scenery bookends: the Cascade volcanoes at takeoff and the Front Range wall at landing, both genuinely dramatic mountain features. The left side offers comparatively flat, hazy terrain during both phases.
Flown SEA to DEN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Denver is 1,022 miles (1,645 km), a flight of about 2 hours 50 minutes.
The route crosses the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, then passes over the sagebrush basins of western Wyoming near the Wind River Range, before descending toward the Colorado Front Range and the high plains approach to Denver.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
RIGHTDeparting SEA on an east-southeast heading toward Denver, the flight path passes just north of the Cascade volcanoes, putting Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams squarely on the right side of the aircraft during climb-out. The left side mostly shows the less dramatic northern Cascades and Puget Sound haze receding behind.
Landing at DEN
RIGHTOn approach into DEN from the northwest, the descent path swings the aircraft south of the Front Range before turning onto final for the north-south runways, giving right-side passengers a clear view of the Rocky Mountain wall rising abruptly from the plains. The left side faces east over flat, featureless high plains with little visual interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Denver International (DEN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Denver. The right side delivers the trip's best scenery bookends: the Cascade volcanoes at takeoff and the Front Range wall at landing, both genuinely dramatic mountain features. The left side offers comparatively flat, hazy terrain during both phases.
What can I see during takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing SEA on an east-southeast heading toward Denver, the flight path passes just north of the Cascade volcanoes, putting Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams squarely on the right side of the aircraft during climb-out. The left side mostly shows the less dramatic northern Cascades and Puget Sound haze receding behind. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Cascade foothills.
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. On approach into DEN from the northwest, the descent path swings the aircraft south of the Front Range before turning onto final for the north-south runways, giving right-side passengers a clear view of the Rocky Mountain wall rising abruptly from the plains. The left side faces east over flat, featureless high plains with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Front Range foothills, Longs Peak, Pikes Peak, South Platte River valley.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Denver?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Denver International (DEN) takes about 2 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,022 miles (1,645 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Denver flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, then passes over the sagebrush basins of western Wyoming near the Wind River Range, before descending toward the Colorado Front Range and the high plains approach to Denver.