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DEN → ANC
Which side of the plane to sit from Denver International Airport (Denver) to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (Anchorage)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers unparalleled views of the Teton Range, the core of the Canadian Rockies, and the breathtaking coastal glaciers of the St. Elias Mountains before arrival.
Grand Teton National Park
Dramatic views of the jagged Teton Range in Wyoming shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Glacier National Park
The rugged peaks and glacial-carved valleys of northern Montana near the Canadian border.
Canadian Rockies
Extensive vistas of the Banff and Jasper wilderness areas featuring turquoise lakes and limestone peaks.
Saint Elias Mountains
Home to Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada, surrounded by the world's largest non-polar ice fields.
Gulf of Alaska Coastline
The dramatic meeting of the Pacific Ocean and the towering coastal mountains as the flight nears Anchorage.
Sit on the left for the best mountain photography; on afternoon flights, the sun is behind you, reducing glare. Look for the massive Malaspina Glacier—larger than the state of Rhode Island—about 45 minutes before landing. Seasonal tip: in winter, the low sun angle creates long shadows that emphasize the dramatic terrain relief.
Bighorn Mountains
The high plateaus and deep canyons of northern Wyoming's sister range to the Rockies.
Boreal Forest
Thousands of miles of untouched spruce and pine forests stretching across the Yukon Territory.
Wrangell-St. Elias Range
Massive volcanic peaks including Mount Wrangell, which often shows visible steam plumes.
Chugach Mountains
The final descent offers incredible proximity to the sharp, snow-dusted ridges surrounding Anchorage.
Anchorage Skyline
Depending on the wind direction, you may see the downtown area and Ship Creek during the final approach.
The right side is excellent for catching the sunrise on early morning departures from Denver. During the winter months, this side offers the best chance to spot the Aurora Borealis if the flight is overnight or in very late evening. During the final approach into ANC, keep your camera ready for the steep, dramatic drop-offs of the Chugach Range.
Distance: 3,863 km (2,400 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 33 min
Departure: DEN (39.861698150635, -104.672996521)
Arrival: ANC (61.17440032958984, -149.99600219726562)
Route Type: Domestic
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