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TUS → DEN
Which side of the plane to sit from Tucson International Airport (Tucson) to Denver International Airport (Denver)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the most dramatic peaks of the Southern Rockies, including the massive San Juan range and the iconic Pikes Peak during the descent into Denver.
Santa Catalina Mountains
Immediate views of Mount Lemmon rising over 9,000 feet directly north of Tucson shortly after takeoff.
Mogollon Rim
The dramatic geological boundary in central Arizona where the desert floor rises sharply into high-altitude pine forests.
San Juan Mountains
Spectacular views of Colorado's most rugged mountain range, often snow-capped well into early summer.
Pikes Peak
As the plane turns toward Denver, the 'America's Mountain' 14er is clearly visible jutting out from the Front Range.
Denver West Metro
Views of the Red Rocks Park and the suburban foothills where the mountains meet the Great Plains.
Sit on the left for the best mountain photography. On morning flights, you will have the sun at your back, illuminating the rock faces perfectly. Look for the transition from saguaro cacti to alpine tundra within the first 30 minutes of flight.
Rincon Mountains
The eastern boundary of the Tucson basin, visible during the initial climb out of TUS.
Gila Wilderness
The vast, untouched forest lands of southwestern New Mexico, home to the world's first designated wilderness area.
Sandia Mountains
The dramatic western escarpment of the Sandias near Albuquerque, glowing pink during sunset flights.
Spanish Peaks
Two prominent, isolated volcanic peaks in Southern Colorado that served as landmarks for early pioneers.
The Great Plains
A striking contrast to the mountains on the other side, showing the endless horizon of the American West.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the setting sun. It offers a unique perspective of how the Rocky Mountains abruptly end and the Great Plains begin. Watch for the 'Spanish Peaks' near the New Mexico-Colorado border.
Distance: 1,029 km (639 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 22 min
Departure: TUS (32.116100311279304, -110.94100189208984)
Arrival: DEN (39.861698150635, -104.672996521)
Route Type: Domestic
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