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RDU → DEN
Which side of the plane to sit from Raleigh Durham International Airport (Raleigh-durham) to Denver International Airport (Denver)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most consistent views of the Appalachian terrain early in the flight and offers a scenic perspective of the southern Front Range and Pikes Peak during the descent into Denver.
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Blue Ridge Mountains
Aerial views of the rolling Appalachian ridges shortly after departing the North Carolina piedmont.
Tennessee River Valley
Massive reservoirs and winding river bends visible as the flight crosses into the mid-south.
Ozark Plateau
The rugged, forested highlands of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas provide texture to the landscape.
Pikes Peak
One of Colorado's most famous 14ers visible to the southwest during the final descent into the Denver basin.
For morning flights, the left side keeps the sun behind the aircraft, reducing glare for photography of the Appalachians. During the final 30 minutes of the flight, look for the 'crop circle' center-pivot irrigation patterns typical of the high plains in western Kansas and eastern Colorado.
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St. Louis Skyline
A frequent sight on this route, often revealing the Gateway Arch and the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Missouri River Meanders
The 'Big Muddy' is clearly visible with its wide valley and agricultural floodplains through central Missouri.
Kansas City Metro
The sprawling urban area and the crossing of the state line between Missouri and Kansas.
Longs Peak
The northern anchor of the Front Range mountains visible as the plane enters the Colorado airspace.
Choose the right side on afternoon flights to avoid the harsh southern sun. If the flight path takes a more northerly track, you will get a spectacular view of the St. Louis Arch. Keep your camera ready as you pass the Mississippi River, as it is the most significant geographic landmark on the route.
Book Hotels in DenverDistance: 2,306 km (1,433 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 4 min
Departure: RDU (35.877601623535156, -78.7874984741211)
Arrival: DEN (39.861698150635, -104.672996521)
Route Type: Domestic
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