The left side combines the dramatic Bay Area takeoff scenery with a cruise path that tracks near Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada, giving it more consistent visual interest than the right side, which is scenic mainly at the very end near Denver's Front Range.
Flown SFO to DEN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Denver is 965 miles (1,553 km), a flight of about 2 hours 35 minutes.
Sierra Nevada range and Lake Tahoe shortly after departure, followed by the arid basin-and-range terrain of Nevada, the Wasatch Range near Utah, and the Rocky Mountain Front Range as the flight nears Denver.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTDeparting SFO to the east, the left side faces north across the Bay and catches San Francisco's skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge receding in the distance as the plane climbs. The right side only offers the flatter South Bay and Silicon Valley sprawl.
Landing at DEN
RIGHTDEN's prevailing south-facing approach (17-series runways) means arriving aircraft turn to land heading south, putting the Front Range mountains on the right side of the cabin during final descent. The left side faces east toward flat plains with no notable terrain.
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Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Denver International (DEN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Denver. The left side combines the dramatic Bay Area takeoff scenery with a cruise path that tracks near Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada, giving it more consistent visual interest than the right side, which is scenic mainly at the very end near Denver's Front Range.
What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?
During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing SFO to the east, the left side faces north across the Bay and catches San Francisco's skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge receding in the distance as the plane climbs. The right side only offers the flatter South Bay and Silicon Valley sprawl. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Berkeley/Oakland hills.
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. DEN's prevailing south-facing approach (17-series runways) means arriving aircraft turn to land heading south, putting the Front Range mountains on the right side of the cabin during final descent. The left side faces east toward flat plains with no notable terrain. Notable sights include: Rocky Mountain Front Range, Longs Peak, foothills west of Denver, high plains.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Denver?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Denver International (DEN) takes about 2 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 965 miles (1,553 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Denver flight path pass over?
Sierra Nevada range and Lake Tahoe shortly after departure, followed by the arid basin-and-range terrain of Nevada, the Wasatch Range near Utah, and the Rocky Mountain Front Range as the flight nears Denver.