Great Hall Program

Preparing for 100+ Million Passengers at DEN

The Great Hall Project is one of DEN’s capital improvement projects that will help the airport prepare for the future by enhancing security, improving operational efficiency and increasing capacity of the Jeppesen Terminal.

The Jeppesen Terminal was originally designed to accommodate 50 million passengers, but in 2023, DEN served nearly 78 million passengers. It’s anticipated that DEN will reach 100 million passengers in the near future.

The Great Hall Project consists of three phases. The first two phases were completed within the original $770 million budget and focused on building a new ticketing/check-in space for some of our airlines, as well as one new security checkpoint in the northwest corner of Level 6. The Completion Phase, the third and final phase of the project currently underway, will complete the full build-out of the Jeppesen Terminal, bringing it up-to-speed for future growth and critical infrastructure needs. The project is not focused on retail and will not be a “mall,” rather the project will improve operations and passenger flow.

Business Opportunities to be a Part of this Historic Project

Great Hall Photos

Take a look at what the future has in store for DEN’s Great Hall.

East Security Checkpoint construction progress – Aug. 2024

a man standing at a podium with microphones

a group of people walking in a large white hall

a blue wall with a blue screen with a blue wall and a yellow and blue ceiling

a large hall with computers and a large ceiling

+31,000

Added square feet of space for the Jeppesen Terminal

158,500

Square feet of newly renovated space

Automated self-bag drop units, (43 on each side) to streamline the check-in process

New restrooms with renovations to existing restrooms Phase 1: Completed October 27, 2021

Phase 1: Completed October 27, 2021

This first phase of the project renovated the center portion of Jeppesen Terminal on Levels 5 and 6 to create new check-in space for United, Southwest and Frontier Airlines. The renovations created a more modern check-in experience and added more capacity in the Terminal, improving operational efficiency.

Phase 2 Completed Feb. 5, 2024

Phase 2 of the Great Hall Program built the first of two new security checkpoints on Level 6, widened the balcony approximately 40-feet and built a new triple escalator that takes screened passengers from Level 6 to Level 4 where they can take the train to the gates.

Passengers can find the West Checkpoint on the northwest end of Level 6 adjacent to United’s ticketing/check-in lobby. If you are being dropped off on Level 6, look for doors 606-600, with TSA PreCheck access closest to doors 602 and 600. The West Security Checkpoint will operate from 4 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., daily and will provide access at three separate entrances defined by the following traveler groups:

West Security 1 (located behind the United ticketing/check-in lobby): This entrance is for standard screening passengers, which makes up the majority of DEN passengers.
West Security 2 (located near Door 606): This entrance is for Restricted Access, which consists of various groups including:
- DEN Reserve – make reservation here
- Premium/Premier Access
- Accessibility and Functional Needs
- Military
West Security 3 (located near Door 600): This entrance is for TSA PreCheck passengers as well as CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck.

The West Security Checkpoint features 17 new screening with advanced technology for a more efficient screening processing. Features of the new equipment include:

Allowing multiple passengers to place their items in bins simultaneously to help expedite the process.
Enhanced technology that allows passengers to leave items like liquids and laptops in their bags.
Automatic diversion of any carry-on bag that may contain a prohibited item, allowing other travelers’ belongings to continue through the screening process uninterrupted.
Automatic bin returns to the front of the line with bigger bins to fit more items and larger bags.
Unique Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to each bin, allowing for additional accountability of a traveler’s carry-on property as they move through the security screening process.
Cameras that capture photographic images of the contents of each bin and are linked side-by-side to the X-ray image of a carry-on bag’s contents.

With the new technology, the journey through the checkpoint will be a little different than what passengers have experienced at DEN. Watch a video to learn more about how the new lanes work. Additionally, we have included a few tips below for passengers using the new West Security Checkpoint for the first time:

Have your driver’s license or passport in hand when approaching the document checker.
As you approach a lane, look for an open station (each lane has three stations) where you can prepare your items for screening.
All items, including suitcases, backpacks, roller bags, etc., must be placed in a bin. If needed, use more than one bin for your personal items.
Place lighter items, such as jackets, at the bottom of the bin to maximize space.
All passengers can leave their liquids and gels (3.4 oz or less) as well as electronics in their carry-on bags, even if they do not have TSA PreCheck.
Do NOT take the bin off the belt once you are ready to retrieve your items. The bins will automatically return to the front of the line for the next passenger.

Completion Phase

The Great Hall Completion, the final phase of the project is now underway. This phase includes:

Building the East Security Checkpoint on Level 6 in the northeast corner of the terminal, which includes extending the balcony 40 feet to match the west side and provide for additional circulation space
Renovating the airline check-in facilities on south end of Level 6
Creating a new meet/greet area for domestic and international arrivals
Constructing the Center for Equity and Excellence in Aviation

Currently, construction of the East Security Checkpoint is well underway and is scheduled to be complete in Q3/Q4 2025. This second new state-of-the-art checkpoint will also consist of 17 new screening lanes with the same screening technology as the West Security Checkpoint. Additionally, four new elevators will be constructed as well as additional elevators and stairs that will help move screened passengers from Level 6 to the train platform.

The entire Great Hall Program will be completed by the end of 2027 with segments opening along the way.

Improved safety for passengers

A new security checkpoint with enhanced technology on the northeast side of Level 6. With the completion of this second checkpoint, both the checkpoints on Level 5 will be relocated to Level 6. At the same time, this will enable DEN to add more screening lanes, increasing capacity.

Updated ticketing spaces

Renovated check-in areas on the south end of Level 6 for all remaining airlines.

Upgraded facility

The project will renovate restrooms, replace flooring, lighting, elevators/escalators, etc. These improvements will save DEN approximately $200-250 million in maintenance costs over 10 years.

Comfortable spaces to meet and greet travelers

This includes both domestic and international arrivals on Level 5.

Developing a pipeline of aviation talent

A new Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation will be constructed on Level 4 of the Westin Denver International Airport. The Center will engage, educate, empower, motivate and provide opportunities for under-represented students and young people who are interested and passionate about careers in aviation. It will help build a future skilled workforce and become a focal point for aviation knowledge and best practices.

Estimated to be completed end of 2027

This $1.3 billion Great Hall Completion phase began in late 2022 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2027 with sections opening along the way. DEN is committed to minimizing the impact that construction has on passengers.

These additional improvements to the Jeppesen Terminal will provide numerous benefits to our passengers and community including:

These additional improvements to the Jeppesen Terminal will provide numerous benefits to our passengers and community including:
Phase 2 of the Great Hall renovation includes new security checkpoints, a widened balcony and a new triple escalator.
Vision 100 is DEN’s strategic plan that will enable the airport to prepare for and reach 100 million annual passengers. The strategic plan will serve as a blueprint to align decision-making and accountability.
Creating 6,500 direct jobs, 500 indirect jobs, 1,300 induced jobs and an estimated 54,000 additional apprenticeship hours. Additionally, the community will benefit from training and job opportunities once DEN’s Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation opens.
Providing additional space to grow and better serve passengers with new airlines and destinations that better connect our community to the world.
Creating efficiencies with current construction activities to minimize construction impacts.
Increasing capacity of the Terminal to accommodate more than 100 million annual passengers.

Preparing for 100+ Million Passengers at DEN

At DEN, we are committed to openly sharing the progress of the Great Hall Project.

Great Hall Photos

Phase 1: Completed October 27, 2021

Phase 2 Completed Feb. 5, 2024

Completion Phase

These additional improvements to the Jeppesen Terminal will provide numerous benefits to our passengers and community including:

Terminal Construction Maps

Level 5

Level 6

Great Hall Project FAQs

Great Hall Documents

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