Denver International Airport Offers Tips for Travelers This Thanksgiving Holiday

DENVER – Nov. 18, 2022 – The holiday season is upon us, and more than 590,000 travelers are expected to pass through Denver International Airport (DEN) TSA checkpoints between Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 26, an increase of 12.2% for the same period in 2021.

The busiest days of the travel period will be Tuesday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 23, with over 75,000 travelers passing through TSA checkpoints each day.

The airport is working to make the busy travel season as smooth as possible for travelers, from parking their vehicle to arriving at their gate. Travelers should feast their eyes on the following tips before taking flight:

Plan Ahead:

• Check your flight status with your airline for up-to-date delay or cancellation information.
• Arrive early. It’s the tur-key to a stress-free travel day! Passengers should arrive inside the airport at least two full hours before their boarding time.
• DEN has three security checkpoints. South Security is open 24 hours a day, North Security is open between 4 a.m.-7:45 p.m. and Bridge Security is open from approximately 4:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m.
• TSA screening checkpoints are generally busiest early in the morning from about 5-10 a.m., and from 1-4 p.m.

TSA:

Passengers are strongly encouraged to use the primary checkpoints for TSA PreCheck and standard screening as outlined below.

South Security Checkpoint: Open 24/7 as the primary checkpoint for standard screening (see TSA PreCheck hours below)

• Standard Screening: This checkpoint is dedicated to standard screening travelers
• TSA PreCheck: There are a limited number of TSA PreCheck lanes open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. PreCheck passengers traveling after 8 p.m. will receive an expedited screening through the standard lanes at this checkpoint.
• CLEAR Customers: A CLEAR lane is available at this checkpoint for standard screening. CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck may use this lane, but are strongly encouraged to utilize the lane on the North Security Checkpoint for a more efficient experience

North Security Checkpoint: Primary checkpoint for TSA PreCheck passengers: Open 4 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.

• TSA PreCheck: This checkpoint is primarily for TSA PreCheck passengers
• CLEAR Customers: A CLEAR lane is available on the east side of this checkpoint for travelers who are CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck
• Premium/Premier Traveler Lane: This lane is available on the west side of this checkpoint
• Standard Screening: There are a limited number of standard screening lanes, but we encourage standard passengers to use the South Security Checkpoint or the Bridge Security Checkpoint.

A-Bridge Security Checkpoint: Open from approximately 4:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

• Standard Screening: This checkpoint is dedicated to standard screening travelers. TSA PreCheck is not available at this checkpoint.

For real-time security wait times to and to help select the best checkpoint, passengers can check FlyDenver.com.

Navigating the Terminal:

New construction walls are up in the Great Hall to accommodate construction of the second new security checkpoint on Level 6 on the northeast side of the terminal. The interior corridor on the east side overlooking the North Security Checkpoint will be completely closed. A pathway to and from Bridge Security and the north end of the terminal is available on the east side of the terminal.

These closures will remain in place until the new checkpoint is complete in 2024. During this time, all security checkpoints will remain open.

Parking:

All DEN on-site parking lots are open except valet parking in both garages and the Mt. Elbert lot, which opens if Pikes Peak reaches capacity. The Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot is a great cost-effective parking option at only $8 a day. If the more than 8,000 spots fill at Pikes Peak, the Mount Elbert shuttle lot will open as an overfill lot.

DEN has a total of 36 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available on level 1 of the parking garages. There is no charge to use the stations, however, the standard garage parking rates apply. Learn more and see station locations here.

Learn more about all of DEN’s parking options and see real-time parking availability at www.flydenver.com/parking_transit/parking.

Remote Bag Drop:

Passengers have two ways to drop off their luggage and print their boarding passes before entering the airport. DEN’s free bag drop service is available on 75th Ave. near the Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot and at the transit center near the RTD A-Line.

The service saves passengers a trip to the check-in counter and eliminates the hassle of carrying luggage through the terminal. Bag drop is a free service offered by DEN and is available daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for domestic flights on United, Southwest, Delta, American, Alaska and Spirit. Flights to international destinations are not eligible for the bag check service.

Passengers using bag drop must be checked in and have dropped off their bags at least 90 minutes before their flight. Airline bag fees (if applicable) are paid at the bag drop kiosk. Passengers with lap infants must visit the ticket counter for the child’s boarding pass, per airline regulations. Learn more about Bag Check here.

Check-In:

Airline check-in counters have recently relocated throughout the terminal. For a list of airlines and their checkin counter locations, visit flydenver.com/flights. Travelers can also utilize the DEN interactive map that offers step-by-step directions to airlines and amenities within DEN. Check-in directories are also available to help identify airlines’ pod numbers.

Holidays at DEN:

DEN is here to spread the holiday cheer! Throughout the season, travelers will be able to enjoy holiday entertainment and activations. The latest events will be listed on flydenver.com/events.

The ice-skating rink has returned for its fifth season. Passengers and community members can ice skate for free on the outdoor plaza between the terminal and the Westin through Jan. 1, 2023.

The DEN ice-skating rink is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting. Passengers and community members are invited to enjoy the rink and holiday lights. Refreshments and holiday treats are available for purchase in the skate shop. The skate shop offers free ice skate rentals in multiple sizes and is located inside the Westin hotel on the west side near Tivoli Restaurant and Brewery.

Shopping and Dining:

Getting to the airport early means extra time to enjoy DEN’s many shopping and dining options! Check out the offerings here. Stop by one of our newest concessions, such as Voodoo Doughnut on the mezzanine level of Concourse B or Novo Coffee in the center of Concourse A!

DEN Customer Service:

While traveling through DEN, look out for one of over 80 DEN Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) teams throughout our terminal and concourses. The DEN CATS is made up of four-legged volunteers who delight travelers with a friendly wag or furry cuddle. You’ll encounter them throughout the airport, sporting their distinctive violet plaid “Pet Me” vests. Hug, pet, and take pictures with DEN’s affectionate comfort crew!

Passengers can reach out to DEN’s customer service team by calling 303-342-2000 or 800-247-2336. Text questions to 720-902-9351. Passengers can also click the “Chat” button on FlyDenver.com to connect with one of our DEN Live Agents via chat between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily.

DEN’s volunteer ambassadors are easily identifiable in purple plaid uniforms and are located throughout the terminal and concourses to provide directions, information or advice. Check out our information assistance webpage for more information about contacting customer service and finding various information booths.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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