Memorial Day Weekend Travel at Denver International Airport

DENVER – May 25, 2021 – Air travel is rebounding, and Memorial Day weekend will be a stark difference at Denver International Airport (DEN) from last year when air travel was at a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From passenger traffic to airport happenings, here’s what travelers can expect:

Passenger Traffic

From May 27 through June 1, 2021, 324,583 passengers are forecasted to travel through DEN TSA checkpoints, compared to 67,719 during the same week in 2020. The busiest day in the upcoming Memorial Day holiday traffic will be Sunday, May 30, when over 60,000 passengers will move through DEN TSA checkpoints. Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28 will also be busy with more than 55,000 passengers through our checkpoints.

In 2019, 422,448 passengers traveled through DEN TSA checkpoints during the same timeframe, only a 39% difference than this year’s forecast – marking the fact that travel is on the rebound and people are ready to take flight.

DEN Ambassadors

Passengers will notice another difference at DEN this year vs. last, volunteers are back – including the CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad)! Find DEN Ambassadors and CATS throughout DEN in their purple plaid vests ready to help passengers navigate the airport.

A-Bridge Security

The A-Bridge is an alternate way for passengers to get to their gate, instead of taking the train from the terminal. Passengers flying out of or into an A gate should walk across the A-Bridge on Level 6, which eliminates the need to get on the train completely. Passengers flying out of or into a B or C gate can also access the A-Bridge, which will shorten their travel time on the train – just get off the train at the A gates and take the elevator or escalator to the A-Bridge.

Eats Delivered

Eats Delivered, powered by AtYourGate, delivers fresh and delicious food or travel supplies to passenger at their gate or other locations throughout the airport. The service is available from 9 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.

Park on the Plaza

From May 28-Oct. 3, the plaza – located between the Westin and the terminal – will transform into a park that will give travelers and community members a refreshing, unexpected airport experience. The park includes gardens featuring native Colorado trees, plants and lounge seating. Learn more by visiting flydenver.com/events.

Face Masks

Face masks are still federally required to be worn at DEN. Signs and overhead announcements remind passengers to wear their masks correctly and to keep their distance from one another when possible. Masks can be purchased at most concessions throughout the airport and at two vending machines located in the terminal.

Parking

DEN’s Pikes Peak and Mt. Elbert shuttle lots and valet parking in both garages are still closed. All other DEN public parking lots will be open by May 27, including the east and west economy lots, the east and west garages, short term parking and the 61st and Peña lot. There are also several off-airport shuttle lots available.

Peña Boulevard Road Construction

Construction on Peña Boulevard is ongoing. Expect construction on Peña Boulevard near the terminal, which could cause slight delays accessing the airport. Drivers headed to the terminal on inbound Peña Boulevard should stay in the dedicated east-side or west-side lanes before entering the construction zone at Jackson Gap. Drivers should use the left lane if they are picking up or dropping off passengers at Terminal West or parking in Economy Parking. Drivers should use the right lane if they are picking up or dropping off passengers at Terminal East. All airlines and security checkpoints are accessible from both Terminal West and Terminal East.

Terminal Construction

Navigate terminal construction by following all signage on Peña Boulevard to get to the correct airline check-in area of the terminal (east or west side). Once inside the airport, follow signs to your destination or access our interactive map online by scanning QR codes posted at check-in and throughout the terminal to help navigate around construction.

Before You Leave for the Airport

• Please plan accordingly and allow for extra time at the airport. A good rule of thumb is to be inside the airport two hours prior to your flight departure time. This should allow for plenty of time to navigate flight check-in, security lines and travel to your gate.
• Before you leave the house, check with your airline to confirm that your flight is on time and check-in online if possible.
• Check parking availability 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.
• 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. Please do not park along Peña Boulevard.

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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