Denver International Airport Expecting an Increase in Travel for Spring Break

DENVER – March 16, 2022 – Spring Break is around the corner and flowers aren’t the only thing likely to grow. The season is expected to bring an increase of passenger traffic and Denver International Airport (DEN) is sharing some useful tips for travelers. 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 baggage, travel through security and arrive at their gate.

Spring Break is a particularly busy time at DEN due to strong outbound travel by Denverites as well as demand from inbound travelers to Colorado taking advantage of the final weeks of ski season. Over the next several weeks into early April, we are expecting travel volumes to closely approach those of March and April 2019. We estimate the heavier days of travel, when there could be more than 190,000 passengers per day traveling through DEN, to be Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Here are some travel tips for passengers traveling through DEN over Spring Break:

Security Checkpoints

DEN has worked closely with TSA to improve passenger flow through security, especially during heavy banks of flights. Since fall 2021, DEN has added four security lanes, for a total of 32, for use by TSA as staffing levels allow. Passengers should be aware of the following checkpoint changes.

North Security Checkpoint:

• TSA PreCheck: This checkpoint is for TSA PreCheck passengers only
• Clear Customers: A Clear lane is available on the east side of the North Security Checkpoint for those travelers who are Clear customers with TSA PreCheck
• Premium/Premier Traveler Lane: This lane is available on the west side of the North Security Checkpoint

South Security Checkpoint:

• Standard Screening: This checkpoint is dedicated to standard screening travelers
• Clear Customers: A Clear lane is available at the South Security Checkpoint for those travelers without TSA PreCheck

A-Bridge Security Checkpoint

• Standard Screening: This checkpoint is primarily dedicated to standard screening travelers

Please note, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., the South Security Checkpoint is the 24-hour checkpoint that remains open overnight. During this time, PreCheck passengers will receive an expedited screening at the South Security Checkpoint.

Remote Bag Check

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

The service saves passengers a trip to the check-in counter in the terminal and it 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 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.

Parking

All DEN on-site parking lots are now open except valet parking in both garages and Mt. Elbert (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. Learn more about all of DEN’s parking options and see real-time parking availability at www.flydenver.com/parking_transit/parking.

International Routes Return

DEN is excited to welcome back the following international routes that previously suspended service due to COVID-19:

• United’s nonstop service to Toronto resumed on Feb. 11
• Cayman Airways resumed flights from DEN to Grand Cayman on Feb. 26
• United welcomed back nonstop flights to London’s Heathrow Airport on March 5

Xpress Check

As travel increases, especially to international destinations, it is essential that passengers have easy access to COVID-19 testing pre-security. XpresCheck opened a second COVID-19 testing site on the southwest end of Level 5 of the Jeppesen Terminal between Boulder Beer Tap House and Hudson News. Their first location is in the center of Concourse B which only ticketed passengers can access. Both locations are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At XpresCheck, passengers can take a Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for $75 or a Rapid PCR test for $250. Tests are available to anyone age 5 and older. Standard PCR test results typically take 3-5 days, and Rapid PCR test results vary from 45-60 minutes. All tests are nasal swabs.

To learn more or to make an appointment, visit xprescheck.com.

Shopping and Dining

DEN offers a wide variety of shopping and dining options for travelers to enjoy while they wait for their flight. Check out the offerings here.

Eats Delivered

Eats Delivered, powered by AtYourGate, delivers fresh and delicious food or travel supplies to passengers anywhere inside the airport. The service is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and orders are delivered in approximately 30 minutes or less. Users can choose from participating shops and restaurants for meals or travel conveniences. Learn more about Eats Delivered by clicking here.

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
• 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 leaving for the airport
• The return-to-terminal loop has moved to Jackson Gap so it’s best to wait for your friends and family 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.

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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