Denver Airport Security: Is It Really That Bad?

Denver International Airport (DIA) is one of the busiest airports in the world, and its security lines reflect that. The airport has a unique design, with a single terminal connected to concourses by train, which can lead to crowded conditions. While improvements have been made, such as revamps of the checkpoint setup and the introduction of a new security system, long wait times and inefficient processes continue to plague the airport. Issues with the train system and escalators add to the challenges, impacting passengers' experiences and causing frustration. With increasing passenger traffic and new gates and flights, managing security and crowd control remains a significant concern for DIA.

Long security lines

Denver International Airport (DIA) is one of the busiest airports in the world, generating more than $36 billion for the state of Colorado annually. It is also about to get busier and more crowded than ever before. In March 2023, DIA's passenger traffic was up nearly 14% from the same month in the previous year, and its holiday weekend travel projections were 9.4% ahead of Memorial Weekend in 2022.

DIA's original design, with a single terminal connected by train to all concourses, is partly to blame for the long security lines. A multi-year $2.1 billion terminal renovation that closed a portion of the north main checkpoint made things worse, but adjustments have since replaced the lost screening lanes by squeezing them in elsewhere. However, travelers still face construction walls that block some pathways to the checkpoints.

The busiest days at DIA are Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with morning and late-afternoon peaks at security ahead of scheduled departures. The longest waits in the spring have not gotten longer than an hour. DIA forecasts that more than 400,000 passengers will pass through its three security checkpoints over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

In February 2024, DIA introduced a new security system on Level 6 that promised an 8-12 minute wait time. The new system has been a hit, with passengers reporting a well-marked single-file line with ample space on either side. However, some passengers have reported that the security line snakes further back through an old corridor and around an abandoned baggage carousel, making it difficult to see the end of the line.

To address the long security lines, a new east checkpoint in the northeast corner of the terminal is scheduled to open in 2026, replacing the south security and A-Bridge checkpoints. DIA officials have said that the new checkpoints will be able to handle crowds better and will accommodate the airport's growth.

Inefficient train system

Denver International Airport (DEN) has been criticised for its inefficient train system. The airport's Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) is the only way for the public to access Concourses B and C. However, the system has been plagued by breakdowns and long wait times, causing significant delays and impacting aircraft traffic.

Instances of failure, including a mechanical failure in 2021, have prompted the airport authority to consider adding pedestrian walkways to provide redundancy. The train system's unreliability is especially problematic given the airport's lack of a decent walking system. While it is possible to walk from the Jeppesen Terminal to Concourse A via a pedestrian bridge, accessing the other concourses by foot is not an option. This issue is compounded by the airport's security checkpoint layout, which differs from other large US airports that have decentralised security checkpoints for different concourses.

The problems with the train system have resulted in crowded terminals, with passengers missing flights due to long wait times. The airport has attempted to manage the crowds by running buses between concourses, but this has not been an ideal solution.

To address these issues, the airport introduced six new train cars in 2024, with plans for a total of 26 new cars to be added to the fleet. However, it remains to be seen whether these additions will significantly improve the efficiency of the train system.

Despite some improvements, such as the new West Security system, which promises shorter wait times, Denver Airport's train system continues to face challenges. The busiest days at the airport are Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with peak times in the morning and late afternoon. During these peak periods, trains run at 1.5-minute intervals, resulting in an 11-minute round trip from end to end. However, even with these measures, the train system struggles to handle the high volume of passengers, impacting the overall efficiency of the airport.

Inconvenient location

Denver International Airport (DIA) is located far out of town, which is inconvenient for local passengers. The airport's parallel concourse model is also problematic, as it lacks a full-length pedestrian walkway between the terminals. This means that passengers often have to rely on the train to get to and from the airport and between gates, and the train frequently doesn't work.

The airport's location and layout also contribute to long security lines, which can be a challenge according to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. DIA's original design, with a single terminal connected by train to all concourses, is partly to blame. A multi-year $2.1 billion terminal renovation that closed a portion of the north main checkpoint made things worse, although adjustments have since been made to replace the lost screening lanes.

DIA's passenger traffic is growing quickly, and the airport is about to get busier than ever before. The busiest days are typically Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with morning and late-afternoon peaks at security. However, the longest waits have not gotten longer than an hour or so.

To improve security wait times, DIA has introduced a new security system on Level 6, which promises an 8-12 minute wait. The new process, which debuted in February 2024, has been well-received so far. In 2026, a new east checkpoint in the northeast corner of the terminal is scheduled to open, which is expected to handle crowds better.

Ineffective crowd management

Denver International Airport (DIA) is one of the busiest airports in the world, generating over $36 billion for the state of Colorado annually. With such a high volume of passengers, effective crowd management is essential to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the airport. However, ineffective crowd management has been a persistent issue at DIA, leading to long security lines and negative travel experiences.

One of the main challenges contributing to ineffective crowd management at DIA is the airport's original design. Unlike other large US airports with decentralized security checkpoints, DIA has a single terminal connected by train to all concourses. This centralization of security checkpoints results in a concentration of passengers in one area, leading to lengthy lines and crowding. The issue is further exacerbated by the rapid growth in passenger traffic, with DIA experiencing a 14% increase in March compared to the previous year.

The multi-year $2.1 billion terminal renovation project also contributed to the problem. While the renovation aimed to improve the airport's functionality, it inadvertently closed a portion of the north main checkpoint, reducing the number of screening lanes available. Although adjustments have been made to compensate for the lost lanes, travellers still encounter construction walls that obstruct pathways to the checkpoints, hindering efficient crowd flow.

The busiest days at DIA are typically Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with peak times in the morning and late afternoon. During these peak periods, wait times can exceed an hour. The long lines and crowded conditions can cause frustration and anxiety among travellers, leading to negative travel experiences.

To address these challenges, DIA has implemented several measures. The introduction of a new security system on Level 6 has significantly improved wait times, with passengers experiencing an efficient and streamlined process. Additionally, DIA plans to open a new east checkpoint in 2026, which is expected to better accommodate crowd management and the airport's growth. These initiatives demonstrate DIA's commitment to enhancing crowd management and improving the overall travel experience for its passengers.

Ineffective screening process

Denver International Airport (DIA) has been criticised for its long security lines and inefficient screening process. The airport's original design, with a single terminal connected by train to all concourses, contributes to the issue. The closure of a portion of the north main checkpoint during a $2.1 billion terminal renovation exacerbated the problem, reducing the number of screening lanes available.

DIA's passenger traffic is growing rapidly, with a 14% increase in March compared to the previous year. This, coupled with the addition of new gates and flights, has resulted in longer lines at security checkpoints. The busiest days at DIA are typically Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with peak times in the morning and late afternoon.

The introduction of a new security system in February 2024 aimed to improve the situation, promising an 8-12 minute wait. However, this has not entirely resolved the issue, as passengers still face construction walls blocking pathways to checkpoints and long lines during peak times.

The TSA checkpoints have been criticised for their layout and staffing issues, with passengers experiencing delays even with PreCheck and CLEAR status. The airport's train system, which is frequently out of service, further adds to the challenges of navigating the airport and reaching the concourses.

To improve the screening process, DIA plans to open a new east checkpoint in 2026, which is expected to better accommodate the airport's growth and handle crowds more efficiently. In the meantime, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their boarding time to account for potential delays.

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