Owais Crawford
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the United States by land area, covering 52.4 square miles (or 33,531 acres). It is also one of the busiest airports in the world, serving 37.8 million passengers in 2023. With over 40,000 employees, the airport is the largest employer in Colorado and the primary economic engine for the state, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land area | 52.4 sq mi (135.7 km2) or 33,531 acres or 53 square miles |
| Ranking in the US | 1st |
| Ranking in the world | 2nd or 3rd |
| Runway length | 16,000 feet (3.03 mi or 4.88 km) |
| Distance from Downtown Denver | 25 miles (40 km) |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Number of concourses | 3 |
| Number of gates | 169 or 148 |
| Yearly passengers (2023) | 37.8 million |
| Yearly passengers (2024) | 82.35 million |
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What You'll Learn
Denver International Airport is the largest US airport by land area
Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major aviation hub in the Western United States, serving metropolitan Denver, Colorado, and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. With a total land area of 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi or 135.7 km2), it is the largest airport in the US by land area and the second-largest in the world, only surpassed by King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The airport's vast expanse makes it more than double the size of the next largest US airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. To put it into perspective, Denver International Airport covers 53 square miles, while Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the twelfth busiest airport globally, covers little more than half of that surface area.
Denver International Airport's sheer size allows for ample room for operations and future expansions. The airport has one terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, named after aviation safety pioneer Elrey Borge Jeppesen, and three midfield concourses with a total of 169 gates as of early 2025. Concourse A boasts four 3-jetway international gates capable of accommodating the two largest commercial aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747-8.
Denver International Airport is not only large in size but also in terms of passenger volume and economic impact. In 2023, the airport served approximately 37.8 million passengers, ranking as the third busiest airport in the United States. The airport is a significant economic driver for Colorado, generating over $47.2 billion for the region annually and serving as the state's primary economic engine.
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It is the third-largest airport in the world
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the United States by land area and the third-largest airport in the world. It covers 33,531 acres or 52.4 square miles (135.7 square kilometres). To put that into perspective, it is more than double the size of the next-largest US airport, Dallas/Fort Worth.
The airport is located on the western edge of the Great Plains, within sight of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It is 25 miles (40 kilometres) driving distance northeast of Downtown Denver. The airport is actually closer to the City of Aurora than central Denver, and many airport-related services, such as hotels, are located in Aurora.
Denver International Airport has one terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, and three midfield concourses with a total of 148 gates. In 2022, the airport completed a capacity expansion project that added 39 new gates and increased the terminal's capacity by 30%. Concourse A has four 3-jetway international gates that can support the two largest commercial aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747-8.
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2022, 69.3 million passengers passed through, making it the third busiest airport in the world that year, behind only two others. The airport is a major hub for United Airlines and the largest operating base for Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines. It is the largest employer in Colorado, with over 40,000 employees.
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DEN is the primary economic engine for Colorado
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area, covering 52.4 square miles (or 33,531 acres). It is the second-largest airport in the world, behind King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia. DEN is also one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a major hub for airlines such as United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. With over 40,000 employees, it is the largest employer in Colorado.
The airport's economic impact extends beyond just its employment numbers. DEN is an essential economic driver for the state of Colorado, contributing significantly to the region's prosperity. In 2021, Colorado's economy ranked 16th in the United States, with a gross state product of $421 billion. DEN plays a crucial role in this economic success, generating more than $47.2 billion annually for the state. This contribution cannot be understated, as it helps support a diverse range of industries that thrive in Colorado.
The state's economy is strengthened by its diverse industries, including aerospace, biochemistry, clean energy, advanced technology manufacturing, information technology, and software development. Colorado's agricultural sector is also significant, contributing $47 billion and employing more than 426,000 people. The state's urban Front Range, which includes Denver, boasts a large financial services hub and is a draw for tourists seeking cultural experiences and recreational opportunities.
DEN's role as a major airport enhances Colorado's appeal as a tourist destination, making it easily accessible to visitors from around the world. Additionally, the airport's location in Denver, the state's largest city, attracts companies in the mining, energy, and telecommunications sectors. Denver's position in the Mountain Time Zone enables telecommunications companies to communicate with both North American coasts, South America, Europe, and Asia within a single business day.
In conclusion, DEN serves as the primary economic engine for Colorado, driving growth, innovation, and investment in the state. Its status as a busy international airport has transformed Colorado's economy, creating jobs, attracting businesses, and generating significant revenue. The airport's expansion and improvement projects indicate a bright future for DEN and the state's economy, solidifying its position as a key contributor to Colorado's prosperity.
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It is a hub for United Airlines and Frontier Airlines
Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major aviation hub in the United States. It is the largest airport in the US by land area, covering 52.4 square miles (or 33,531 acres, to be precise). It is the second-largest airport in the world by land area, with only King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia surpassing it.
DEN is a hub for United Airlines and Frontier Airlines. United has a significant presence at the airport, with an average of 894 daily movements from January to March 2024. It is United's busiest hub by flights and seats, although Chicago O'Hare International Airport is expected to overtake it in the second quarter of 2024. United Airlines has been a hub carrier at DEN since 1995 and has expanded its operations over the years, with plans for further growth. The airline has more than 200 nonstop domestic and international destinations and offers over 1700 daily flights.
Frontier Airlines also has a strong presence at DEN, with the airport serving as its largest operating base. In 2022, DEN broke ground on an expansion project to add 14 ground-loaded/tarmac gates for Frontier Airlines operations. This expansion demonstrates the airline's commitment to the airport and its intention to grow its operations.
In addition to United and Frontier, other major carriers at DEN include Southwest Airlines, which is the second-largest carrier at the airport, and Delta Air Lines. DEN is one of the world's busiest airports, serving over 69.3 million passengers in 2022 and setting a new record in 2024 with 82,358,744 passengers. It is the primary economic engine for Colorado, generating over $47.2 billion for the region annually and employing more than 40,000 people.
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DEN is one of the world's busiest airports
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the world's busiest airports. With 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi or 135.7 km2) of land, it is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest on Earth, behind King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia. DEN's single terminal and three midfield concourses handled 37.8 million passengers in 2023, making it the third busiest airport in the United States and sixth busiest in the world that year.
The airport's vast size provides ample room for operations and future expansion. It boasts impressive features, such as an 82,000-square-foot outdoor plaza accessible to travellers and the public, showcasing the Rocky Mountains and Colorado plains in the distance. DEN also has a long runway, measuring 16,000 feet (3.03 miles or 4.88 km), making it the longest public-use runway in North America and the seventh longest worldwide.
Denver International Airport is a critical transportation hub, serving as a primary gateway to the metropolitan area of Denver, Colorado, and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. It is a significant hub for United Airlines and the largest operating base for Frontier and Southwest Airlines. The airport's convenient location on the western edge of the Great Plains, with proximity to the Rocky Mountains, further enhances its strategic importance.
The airport's economic impact is substantial, serving as the primary economic engine for Colorado. It generates over $47.2 billion for the region annually and is the state's largest employer, with over 40,000 workers. DEN has consistently ranked among the top 20 busiest airports globally since 2000, and in 2024, it set a new record, serving 82,358,744 passengers, surpassing the previous year's record by 5.8%.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the US by land area. It covers 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi or 135.7 km2) and is more than double the size of the next largest US airport, Dallas/Fort Worth.
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it was the third busiest airport in the US and sixth busiest in the world, serving 37.8 million passengers. In 2024, it set a new record with 82,358,744 passengers.
Denver International Airport has a total of 148 gates. In 2022, the airport completed a capacity expansion project that added 39 new gates.
Some other large US airports include Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
