Photo: Denali National Park and Preserve · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
North America's highest peak at 6,190 metres dominates the Alaskan interior and is visible from Anchorage and on trans-Alaska routes. Its massive bulk and permanent snow create a dramatic sight from the air.
70Flight Routes
6 kmClosest Pass
🏔️ MountainType
Routes that pass it70
ANC → BRW
Both Sides
BRW → ANC
Both Sides
MDW → NRT
Left
NRT → MDW
Right
AUH → UTO
Right
NRT → ORD
Right
ORD → NRT
Left
ICN → YYC
Left
YYC → ICN
Right
HKG → YYC
Right
YYC → HKG
Left
HND → MDW
Right
MDW → HND
Left
BLR → SFO
Right
SFO → BLR
Left
HND → ORD
Right
ORD → HND
Left
BWA → SFO
Right
SFO → BWA
Left
HND → MSP
Left
MSP → HND
Right
ANC → SCC
Left
SCC → ANC
Right
MSP → NRT
Right
NRT → MSP
Left
ANC → OTZ
Right
OTZ → ANC
Left
ANC → HNL
Right
DFW → HKG
Right
HKG → DFW
Left
HNL → ANC
Left
ANC → FAI
Left
EDF → HNL
Right
FAI → ANC
Right
HNL → EDF
Left
ANC → FRA
Left
FRA → ANC
Right
IAH → FNJ
Right
FAI → HNL
Right
HNL → FAI
Left
EDF → SFO
Left
SFO → EDF
Right
ANC → EIL
Left
EIL → ANC
Right
EDF → LAX
Left
LAX → EDF
Right
ANC → LHR
Left
LHR → ANC
Right
ANC → SFO
Left
SFO → ANC
Right
ANC → OAK
Left
OAK → ANC
Right
ANC → LAX
Left
LAX → ANC
Right
ANC → SAN
Left
SAN → ANC
Right
ANC → ONT
Left
ONT → ANC
Right
EDF → PDX
Left
PDX → EDF
Right
EDF → PHX
Left
PHX → EDF
Right
LAS → MRI
Right
MRI → LAS
Left
BFI → EDF
Right
EDF → BFI
Left
EDF → SEA
Left
SEA → EDF
Right
ANC → LAS
Left
LAS → ANC
Right
Tip: Visibility depends on cloud cover, time of day, and how close the flight path comes. Sit on the listed side for the best chance of a view. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Denali (Mount McKinley) from a plane?
Yes — 70 flight routes pass within 150 km of Denali (Mount McKinley). The closest routes include Anchorage to Barrow, Barrow to Anchorage, Chicago to Tokyo. The landmark is visible from both sides, with the landmark passing about 6 km away.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Denali (Mount McKinley)?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Denali (Mount McKinley): on a Anchorage to Barrow flight, visible from both sides; on a Barrow to Anchorage flight, visible from both sides; on a Chicago to Tokyo flight, sit on the Left side.