Memorial Day Travel Expected to Make a Splash at Denver International Airport

DENVER – May 24, 2023 – Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the beginning of summer, which is DEN’s busiest travel period of the year. From Thursday, May 25 through Tuesday, May 30, over 400,000 passengers are forecasted to travel through DEN TSA checkpoints. DEN estimates the busiest
days during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday will be Thursday, May 25, Friday, May 26 and Monday, May 29. These days are expected to see over 70,000 passengers move through security screening. This is a 9.4% increase from the same period in 2022.

For those traveling this holiday, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to get through security and navigate the airport before your flight. Passengers should arrive inside the airport at least two hours before their scheduled boarding time.

See the following tips for a smooth traveling experience this Memorial Day weekend:

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

South Security Checkpoint: Primary checkpoint for standard screening, open 24/7

• 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 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 TravTeler 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: Standard passengers only, 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 and to help select the best checkpoint, passengers can check FlyDenver.com.

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

Parking:

All DEN on-site parking lots are open except valet parking in both garages and a portion of the East Economy Lot.

Two months ago, DEN closed a large portion of the East Economy Lot in order to conduct necessary improvements and repairs. Approximately 2,000 spaces on the northern portion of the East Economy Lot remain open. When the East Economy Lot reaches capacity, passengers may still utilize the East Garage, West Garage, West Economy, Pikes Peak and 61st & Peña station.

The Pikes Peak and Longs Peak Shuttle lots are a great cost-effective parking option at only $8 a day. DEN’s New Longs Peak Shuttle Lot will open when Pikes Peak is full and can only accept credit card payments. To get to Longs Peak from Peña Boulevard, exit on Jackson Gap Street then turn left. Turn right onto 78th Avenue.
Continue straight and turn right into the Longs Peak parking 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-and-transportation/parking-lots/.

Navigating the Terminal:

Construction in the Great Hall is progressing well and the first new security checkpoint on Level 6 West is on track to open in Q1 2024. With all of the construction, comes new construction configurations that impact the flow of passengers to the north end of the terminal.

New construction walls have gone up on Level 6 in the northeast corner of the terminal. Passengers can still use the pathway to and from Bridge Security and the north end of the terminal; that route is now on the east side, closest to the North Security Checkpoint.

Level 6 is not accessible via the elevators located at door 601. Access to all other levels via these elevators is open. The elevators near door 605 are open to all levels. The restrooms located on the northeast side of Level 6 are closed, but the family restrooms are open.

The new configuration will allow crews to finish demolition of the area and begin construction of the new East Security Checkpoint, which will open by mid-2026.

Remote Bag Check:

Passengers 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 Avenue, 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 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.

Park on the Plaza

For fresh air before or after your travels, head to DEN’s Park on the Plaza! The open-air plaza, located pre- security between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel, is an outdoor oasis for passengers’ enjoyment from May 27 through Oct. 2.

Visitors can enjoy sunshine, play cornhole or relax on lounge seating and grass-like turf. The first event to kick off the season will be a performance by the historic Denver Taiko Drum Group on May 31 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in recognition of National Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month. See a list of full events going on at DEN at FlyDenver.com/events.

Shopping and Dining:

DEN offers a wide variety of shopping and dining options for travelers to enjoy while they wait for their flight. Stop by one of our newly opened restaurants, including Half Moon Empanadas on Concourse B and Superfruit Republic on Concourse C. Check out all our food the options 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/parking-and-transportation/parking-lots/.
• Check real-time TSA security wait times at www.flydenver.com.

Picking up Passengers:

• Check with your friends or family member’s airline, or visit www.flydenver.com, to confirm that the flight is on time before heading to the airport.
• The return-to-terminal loop is now located on Jackson Gap Street, 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.

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. 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!

Have a question about traveling through DEN? Passengers can reach out to DEN’s customer service team by calling (720) 730-IFLY (4359) or texting (720) 902-9351. Passengers can also click the “Chat” button on FlyDenver.com to connect with one of our agents via chat between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily.

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 $33 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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