DEN Kicks Off the Summer Travel Season

DENVER – May 20, 2025 – The kickoff to summer is almost here and Denver International Airport (DEN) is gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend. From Thursday, May 22, to Tuesday, May 27, nearly 443,000 passengers are forecast to travel through DEN’s security checkpoint, approximately the same number of travelers during the same timeframe in 2024.  DEN estimates the busiest days of travel will be Friday, May 23 and Monday, May 26, when there could be more than 80,000 passengers per day passing through security.

Passengers are encouraged to arrive inside the airport at least two hours in advance of their boarding time to ensure they have plenty of time to check bags, travel through security and arrive at their gate. There is the potential for longer security lines, especially during peak times, which are 3 to 4:30 a.m., 8 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.

Airline counters at the south end of Jeppesen Terminal are temporarily being moved from Level 6 to the center of Level 5. The counter moves began in April and will continue through June 30. These airlines will remain on Level 5 in their temporary operation through mid-2027. The counters serving DEN’s largest carriers – United Airlines (Terminal West), Southwest Airlines (Terminal East) and Frontier Airlines (Terminal East) – will remain at their current locations on Level 6. The list of airlines temporarily moving locations can be found here and real-time location of airline counters can be found at flydenver.com/airlines.

Here are additional travel tips for passengers traveling through DEN over the Memorial Day travel period.

TSA

West Security Checkpoint (located on Level 6 at the northwest corner of the terminal): Primary checkpoint for TSA PreCheck passengers, open 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• TSA PreCheck: This checkpoint serves the majority of our TSA PreCheck passengers. These passengers should enter the checkpoint at West Security 3 (near Door 600).
• CLEAR PreCheck Customers: A CLEAR lane is available at West Security 3 (near Door 600) for travelers who are CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck. CLEAR customers without TSA PreCheck must use South Security.
• Restricted Access for Accessibility/Premium/Employees/Military Traveler Lane: This lane is located at West Security 2 (near Door 606).
• Standard Screening: Passengers with Standard Screening should utilize the entry point at West Security 1.
• DEN Reserve: Make a reservation to go through security. This is a free service that allows all passengers to reserve a dedicated time slot through DEN’s West Security Checkpoint. This option provides passengers with a more predictable and seamless travel experience. Book up to 14 days early and shorten your wait! Passengers with reservations can find their entry point at West Security 2 (near Door 606). Reservations are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Enhanced technology at this checkpoint allows passengers to leave items like liquids and laptops in their bags.

South Security Checkpoint (located on Level 5 at the South end of the Terminal): Primary checkpoint for standard screening, open 3 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily

• Standard Screening: This checkpoint is primarily dedicated for travelers requiring standard screening.
• TSA PreCheck: There are four TSA PreCheck lanes open from 4 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. located on the backside of the checkpoint (near Baggage Claim 7). PreCheck passengers traveling after 9 p.m. may use South Security and receive a form of expedited screening.
• CLEAR Standard Customers: A CLEAR lane is available at this checkpoint for standard screening. CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck MUST use the lane provided for CLEAR at the West Security Checkpoint between the hours of 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Restricted Access for Accessibility/Premium/Employees/Military Traveler Lane: This lane is located near the Southwest corner of the checkpoint.

TSA no longer operates Bridge Security. The A-Bridge and Ansbacher Hall remain open for arriving passengers and employees accessing the Airport Office Building between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday and access all day, Friday – Sunday.

For current security wait times and to help select the best checkpoint, passengers should visit FlyDenver.com.

Passengers may sign up for expedited screening programs available at DEN checkpoints. Learn more about DEN Reserve, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.

Parking

Due to construction in West Economy Lot and West Garage Level 1, parking at DEN will be in high demand.

DEN is anticipating the Pikes Peak Lot to fill up on Thursday, May 22, at which point the Longs Peak Lot will open and will remain open until full. Once Longs Peak becomes full, the Landside Section A Shuttle Lot will be open for use.

Lots may fill sooner or later than forecasted. Please check FlyDenver.com/parking-and-transportation/parking-lots/ for the most up-to-date information for DEN parking lot availability

Premium Reserve Parking: Reservations can be made for Premium Reserve Parking as early as 90 days in advance or as soon as five minutes in advance, depending on parking area capacity.

Reservations cost $45 a day with a one-time $5 service fee per reservation. Premium Reserve is conveniently located at Arrivals, on Level 4 East and West. Visit the reservation page.

Transit

Parking lots at DEN tend to fill up quickly during the holidays. Consider taking the RTD A-line into DEN. View the A-line schedule.

The Bustang Outrider Sterling route now provides Northeastern Coloradans another option to get to and from DEN. The route between Sterling and Denver runs Monday through Friday and stops at Gate 1 of the DEN Hotel Transit Center, near the RTD’s A Line train platform and other bus stops. The location provides quick access to the main terminal. The Outrider arrives at the airport at 9:35 a.m. and departs to Sterling at 3:07 p.m. View the Bustang Outrider Sterling- Denver schedule.

DEN Travel Assist

DEN Travel Assist, brought to you by Airport Butler, is a program designed to help travelers navigate DEN efficiently and with ease.

Airport Butler can provide meet-and-assist services to include, but not limited to, meeting customers curbside, check-in and luggage assistance, navigating TSA security checkpoints or help determining the best ground transportation options for travelers’ journeys beyond DEN.

In addition to their meet-and-assist services at DEN, Airport Butler will offer personalized services including car service reservation, lounge access and other customized options to fit travelers’ unique needs such as personal shopping while waiting at the gate and more.

Travelers needing extra assistance can visit FlyDenver.com/DENTravelAssist to make a reservation.

Before You Leave for the Airport

• Check with your airline to confirm that your flight is on time and check-in online if possible
• Check real-time parking availability at www.FlyDenver.com/parking_transit/parking
• Check real-time TSA security wait times at www.FlyDenver.com.

Picking up Passengers

• Check with your friend or family member’s airline or visit www.FlyDenver.com to confirm that the flight is on time before heading to the airport.
• It’s recommended that those picking up friends and family wait for their call at Final Approach, the airport’s cell phone waiting lot, until they are ready to be picked up. Final Approach is located approximately three miles west of Jeppesen Terminal. It can be easily accessed via eastbound Peña Boulevard to 75th Avenue and northbound Gun Club Road; westbound Peña Boulevard to Wenatchee Street; or from East 78th Avenue. Signs are posted along all access routes. Please be mindful of construction in the area and watch for detour signage.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

DEN has a variety of new food and beverage options for passengers to enjoy. The most recent include Tocabe, The Bagel Deli, D Bar, Williams & Graham, El Chingon, Mizu Sushi Izakaya, Aviano Coffee, Mister Oso, Bar Dough, Sunset Loop Bar & Grill, Starbucks, ChoLon Modern Asian, Marczyk Fine Foods, Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar, Peet’s Coffee, Jamba Juice, Dazbog, Aletitude, and Olive & Finch: Finch on the Fly. Check out all the amazing offerings at DEN.

Park on the Plaza will once again become a summer outdoor oasis from May 24 – September 30. Throughout the summer, visitors can play cornhole, relax on lounge seating and grass-like turf or kick up their feet and enjoy a variety of events. The 82,000 square-foot open-air plaza is located pre-security between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel. View the full list of events.

DEN Customer Service

Have a question about traveling through DEN? Passengers can reach out to DEN’s customer service team by calling 720-730-IFLY (720-730-4359). Text us your questions at 720-902-9351. Passengers can also click the “Chat with an Agent” button on FlyDenver.com to connect with one of our DEN Live Agents via chat between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. daily.

DEN Lost and Found

Lost an item while traveling through DEN? The airport’s lost and found only receives items lost in public areas of the airport. To file a claim, or learn more, visit FlyDenver.com/ at-the-airport/services-and-amenities/lost-and-found/.

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 $47.2 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.