DENVER AIRPORT | GUIDE TO DENVER AIRPORT (DEN)

Denver Airport is the largest US airport covering 140 km2, and the third largest in the world. It is approximately 24 miles (35 minutes) from the city center, in Northeast Denver, near Aurora and in 2018 was the 5th largest US airport in terms of passenger traffic. According to the Airports International Council, it is also the 20th busiest worldwide, serving 64.5 million passengers. DEN is expecting to reach 80 million passengers by 2025 and approximately 110 million passengers by 2040. With more than 35,000 employees, the airport is possibly the largest employer in Colorado.

The many features include its stunning roof which was designed to resemble the snow-capped Colorado Mountains, and its cost reached the sum of $ 4.8 billion. It was designed by Fentress Bradum Architects and shows the early history of the area when Indian tents were located across the Colorado plains. The roof is supported by a steel cable system, with a design quite similar to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Denver airport started operating in 1995, and serves 215 destinations by 23 different airlines throughout the continents of America, Europe, and Asia. It also has the second-largest domestic network, with 189 U.S. destinations. It is a main airport for airlines such as: Frontier Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines and United Airlines, and a main city stop for Southwest Airlines.

DEN has six main buildings called corridors there are four on the north-south side and two to the east-west. Five runways which are 12,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. The sixth runway (16,000 feet long and 200 feet wide), provides access for all the various airlines and aircraft including the 747 and super jumbo the Airbus A-380.
Access to the Jeppesen Terminal (passenger terminal complex) is via Peña Boulevard, which is a 12-mile road connecting Interstate 70 and intersects with E-470 toll highway. There are 3 concourses, named A,B,C with 142 gates. The Terminal (identified by Terminal East and Terminal West) has space for passenger drop-off, passenger pickup, airline check in and includes baggage check, baggage claim, security screening and access to gates.

There is also a pedestrian bridge which connects the Terminal with Concourse A and allows travelers not only to view the Rocky Mountains, but the high plains and of course the aircraft moving slowly along the ground before take-off and after landing.

More than 15 airlines operate at the airport, flying between Denver Airport and more than 170 destinations. There are 20 international destinations from 9 countries such as Canada, Mexico, England, Germany, Japan or Iceland to name a few. The most preferred destinations from Denver International are inside the United States. In the following order, they are: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Dallas.

Denver’s natural geographic advantage is as a connecting hub location which has been enhanced by the Airport’s ability to accommodate aircraft landings and takeoffs in virtually all weather conditions. Total passenger traffic at DEN was up 5.1% in 2018 (64.5 million passengers traveled through DEN), compared to 2017, as reported by the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

The airport is safe and compared to other US metro areas of its size, crime rates in the Denver area are low. Denver International Airport has launched three security checkpoint areas inside the terminal to access all airlines gates (Level 5 North, Level 5 South and the Bridge Security Checkpoint on Level 6). In order to ensure the safe arrival and departures, all baggage and vehicles are subject to search at any time.

From October 1, 2020, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need Real ID - compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. (REAL ID – these are compliant cards which are marked with a star at the top).

At Denver Airport you can find a cellphone lounge, more than 140 shops and restaurants to choose from, including great Colorado flavors and international brands. Also, nursing rooms (inside the Jeppesen Terminal at post-security), art exhibitions, free WiFi, electric vehicle charging stations, ATM's/Cash Machines, Banks, currency exchange stores, an interfaith chapel (the Catholic Mass is held on Sundays at 01:00 pm) and Prayer Hall (level 6- open 24 hours), for pets a pet relief area (located outdoors, adjacent to Garage West parking, on Level 2) and an underground train which arrives at the concourses.

There are 15 car rental providers located in or close by Denver airport to cater for all car rental requirements

Denver International Airport has plenty of permanent art exhibits. It seems like you're visiting an art museum, although Denver does also have several alternative art museums.The airport has always had a portion of its operational budget for art. Usually, you can find a number of art works in the underground train station area, that links the main terminal with concourses. Moreover, temporary exhibitions often take place in the corridor from the main terminal to Concourse A.

At the entrance on Peña Boulevard, you can see the astonishing sculpture of Blue Mustang (nickname Blucifer for its demonic appearance) The 9.8m tall piece of art, with glowing blue fiberglass and shiny red eyes, was designed by Luis Jiménez, and unveiled at the airport on February 11, 2008. The artist died in 2006, before the completion of the sculpture. While creating the Blue Mustang, part of it actually fell on him.

In March 2019 the airport launched a talking gargoyle (animated) in one of the concourses. Moreover, Airport's Art Collection was honored by the publishers of USA TODAY, as one of the ten best airports for public art in the United States.

In the airport you can also find a statue of astronaut, and Congressman-elect Jack Swigert. His origins were from Denver and he flew on Apollo 13 as Command Module Pilot. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982, but died of cancer before he was sworn in. This is a duplicate of the statue placed in the United States Capitol during 1997.

Arrivals and Departures at Denver Airport

• See live flight arrivals information at Denver Airport
• See live flight departures information at Denver Airport

Hotels near Denver Airport

There are a number of hotels to suit all budgets and requirements at or near Denver Airport.

Parking at Denver Airport

See options for parking services at Denver Airport.

Additional Services and Amenities at Denver Airport

At (airportname) you will find the usual array of bars and restaurants, airport lounges and shops.

• See all bars and restaurants inside Denver Airport
• See and book airport lounges at Denver Airport
• Plan your shopping in advance - see all the shops (including duty-free) at Denver Airport

Things to do in Denver Airport

There are a number of activities to suit all ages and interests in the region - see a selection of tourist activities in Denver, Colorado in the United States of America.

AIRPORTS NEAR DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

• Colorado Springs Peterson Field Airport (117km)
• Cheyenne Airport (144km)
• Pueblo-Airport (175km)
• Laramie Airport (182km)
• Vail Eagle County Airport (193km)

AIRPORT GENERAL INFORMATION/FACILITIES/SERVICES

- Throughout the concourses, there are digital directories (touch screens) which provide flight and gate information, directions to shops and restaurants and other helpful information.
- CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad), with certified therapy dogs, walk around the concourses for travelers to pet, hug and relax with, before taking their flight.
- Customer Service staff and DEN’s volunteer Ambassadors are available throughout the terminal and concourses to provide helpful information.
- Passengers without Internet access can use these airport telephone numbers:
(303) DIA-PARK (342-7275) – Select “option one” for information on parking availability in DEN lots
(303) 342-4059 – Information on DEN ground transportation
TEXT (720) 370-9002 – General airport questions (303) 342-2000
DEN Customer Services or out-of-town visitors (800) AIR-2-DEN
- There is a Tourist Information Booth at Jeppesen Terminal, Level 5:
www.denver.org
visitorinfo@visitdenver.com
(303) 342-4368
- For international passengers, the phone number for the offices of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is: (303) 342-7400
- There are several hotels near the airport (most of them with shuttle bus service). Reservations for The Westin Denver International Airport hotel, are available online

NEWS

4th Annual Ice Rink
For two months (November to January), there is free Ice Skating for the whole family and all ability levels. Skates are available on-site at no cost. Every Friday afternoon, look for fun activities and entertainment, or hot chocolate and hot cider.
From: Friday, November 22, 2019 9:00 AM (MT)
To: Monday, January 20, 2020 9:00 PM (MT)
Where: Denver International Airport Plaza, 8500 Peña Blvd. Denver CO 80249

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS: Denver Scholarship Foundation
The exhibit highlights the Denver Scholarship Foundation. It features Denver student success stories and the process of college application through graduation and career.
When: June 2019 to November 2019
Where: Jeppesen Terminal, Northeast corner of Level 5

DENVER GENERAL INFORMATION

Denver has a population of 3.2 million inhabitants, and is comprised of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties. Located close to the geographic center of the United State, the City has long been a major air transportation hub. DEN has airline service to more than 200 cities.

Metro Denver is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies, and in 2018 Forbes Magazine, stated it was the “Best Places for Business and Careers” it ranked the city in 4th place. Also, in 2019, U.S. News and World Report gave Denver the 4th place in “Best Places to Live”. Metro Denver’s diverse employment base varies across industries, the location and its extensive transportation network has positioned it to become a main distribution hub, encouraging strong fiscal growth and expansion for the region. The unemployment rate was 2.9% as of December 2018.

Furthermore, Denver works towards improving it's sustainability. According to “Sustainable Cities Index Report", Denver got high marks for transportation infrastructure, with light-rail expansion and satisfaction with Denver International Airport.

Denver Airport Address:

8500 Peña Boulevard,
Denver,
CO 80249-6340,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Tel. +1 (0)303 3422000
Website: https://www.flydenver.com/

SOURCES: Flydenver.com, Wikipedia, Annual Financial Reports of Denver Colorado (2012, 2013), Arcadis “Sustainable Cities Index Report” (2015, 2016, 2018).