Question 1

Which side of the plane should I sit on to avoid the sun?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your flight direction and time of day. On eastbound morning flights the sun is ahead-right; on westbound afternoon flights it's behind-right. FlightPath calculates the exact shaded side for your specific route and departure time.

Question 2

Do airplane windows block UV rays?

Accepted Answer

Airplane windows block UVB rays almost entirely but allow up to 50% of UVA through. UVA penetrates deeper and contributes to skin aging and melanoma risk. At cruising altitude, UV intensity is 2–3× higher than at sea level.

Question 3

Should I wear sunscreen on a plane?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially in a window seat on the sun-facing side. Dermatologists recommend SPF 30–50 for window passengers on long daytime flights. FlightPath's UV Dashboard gives you a flight-specific SPF recommendation.

Question 4

How does FlightPath calculate which side to sit on?

Accepted Answer

FlightPath uses the SunCalc library to calculate the sun's azimuth at each waypoint along your flight path, then compares it to your aircraft's heading to determine which window side faces the sun — and recommends the shade side.

Question 5

Can I use FlightPath to catch a sunset from the window?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FlightPath shows a solar timeline for your entire flight, so you can see exactly when and from which side the sun will be visible — great for sunsets, sunrises, and overnight stargazing.

Question 6

Is FlightPath free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely free. It runs 100% in your browser — no account, no API calls, no data sent to any server. Your flight details never leave your device.

Question 7

Does FlightPath work for any airport in the world?

Accepted Answer

FlightPath supports thousands of airports worldwide using IATA codes. Enter your three-letter codes (e.g., JFK, LHR, SYD) and it calculates the route and sun position for any flight globally.

Question 8

Is UV exposure worse at cruising altitude?

Accepted Answer

Yes. UV intensity increases roughly 10% per 1,000 meters. At 35,000 feet, UV is 2–3× more intense than at sea level — pilots have roughly twice the melanoma incidence of the general population as a result.

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