Sachin Walls
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world, and has been ranked among the top airports globally in customer surveys. The airport has won awards for its runway rehabilitation and lighting upgrade projects, as well as its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEN offers various amenities, including free Wi-Fi, an extensive public art collection, and convenient transportation options. The airport is also recognised for its unique terminal design, which evokes the early history of Colorado. With a large land area, DEN is constantly expanding to meet the needs of its travellers and partners, and to accommodate its growing number of international connections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busiest airport ranking | Third busiest airport in the world in 2021 and 2022. Sixth busiest airport in the world in 2023. |
| Annual passengers | 77.8 million in 2023, an increase of over 12% from the previous year. |
| Passenger record | 82,358,744 in 2024. |
| Economic impact | Generates more than $47.2 billion for Colorado annually. |
| Art | Features a public art collection, including a bronze statue of Jack Swigert and murals by Leo Tanguma. |
| Public transport | Served by the A Line rail service with two intervening stations in Aurora. |
| Terminals and concourses | One terminal (Jeppesen Terminal) and three midfield concourses with 169 gates in total. |
| Concourse A access | Via a pedestrian bridge and an underground train system. |
| Concourse B and C access | Via the underground train system only. |
| International arrivals without border pre-clearance | Processed in Concourse A. |
| Commercial airport land area | 52.4 square miles, the largest in North America. |
| Wi-Fi | Free wireless internet access throughout the airport. |
| Awards | Ranked fifth-best airport with 60 to 70 million passengers by Skytrax in 2020. Named the best airport in the U.S. by Skytrax in 2019. Top airport in the U.S. in the Wall Street Journal's 2018 ranking. |
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What You'll Learn
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it was ranked the sixth busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States, serving around 77.8 million passengers—a 12% increase from 2022. In 2024, DEN set a new record, serving 82,358,744 passengers, a 5.8% increase over the previous year.
Denver has traditionally been home to one of the busier airports in the United States due to its central location, which is ideal for an airline hub. Several airlines, including United Airlines and Continental Airlines, previously had hubs at the former Stapleton International Airport, making it the sixth-busiest airport in the country by the 1960s. However, Stapleton had limited capacity and its runways were too close together, causing long delays and nationwide travel disruptions during bad weather.
DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. The airport covers 52.4 square miles (136 square kilometres; 33,500 acres) of land, making it the largest commercial airport area in North America. DEN has one terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, and three midfield concourses with a total of 169 gates. The Jeppesen Terminal, designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects, has a distinctive peaked roof that evokes the snow-capped mountains of Colorado and the history of Native American teepees on the Great Plains. The terminal features a pedestrian bridge to Concourse A, offering travellers views of the Rocky Mountains and the high plains.
Denver International Airport is recognised for its public art programme, which is financed by a mandatory 1% capital improvement budget. The airport features artworks such as the Chicano artist Leo Tanguma's four murals, including "Children of the World Dream of Peace", which expresses a desire for peace and the abolition of violence. The airport also has a bronze statue of Denver native Jack Swigert, who flew on Apollo 13 and was elected to the House of Representatives.
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The airport has a large land area and is recognised for its art
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually. The airport covers a land area of 52.4 square miles (136 km2; 33,500 acres), making it the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth, behind King Fahd International Airport. The airport is 23 miles (37 km) from downtown Denver, which is 15 miles (24 km) farther away than the former Stapleton International Airport, which DEN replaced.
The large land area of DEN is a result of its history and the need for a new airport in the region. From 1980 to 1983, the Denver Regional Council of Governments investigated areas for a new airport north and east of Denver due to the limitations of the former Stapleton International Airport. The former airport had little room to add more flights, and its runways were too close together, leading to long delays and nationwide travel disruptions in bad weather. As a result, land was acquired for the new airport, increasing the city's size by 50 percent and bifurcating the western portion of the neighbouring county.
DEN is recognised for its extensive public art collection and Colorado-inspired rotating exhibitions. The airport features a variety of sculptures, murals, and installations that are permanent fixtures. One notable artwork is a bronze statue of Denver native Jack Swigert, an Apollo 13 Command Module Pilot and elected representative, by artist George Lundeen in Concourse B. George Lundeen is also the sculptor of "The Aviator", a bronze sculpture of Elrey Borge Jeppesen, the aviation safety pioneer after whom the terminal is named. The airport also has four murals by Chicano artist Leo Tanguma, including "Children of the World Dream of Peace", which depicts the horrors of war and the hope for peace among children from many nations.
The art at DEN is financed by a mandatory 1% capital improvement budget, and it has become a distinctive feature of the airport, even inspiring conspiracy theories. The unique artwork, unusual architecture, and construction problems of DEN have sparked various conspiracy theories, which have been fuelled by television shows and annual media reporting.
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It has convenient transport links to downtown Denver
Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major airline hub in the United States. It is located 23 miles (37 km) from Downtown Denver. The airport offers convenient transport links to downtown Denver, including rail, bus, and car options.
The A Line rail service connects Denver International Airport with downtown Denver, specifically Denver Union Station. The A Line has two intervening stations in Aurora. The 23-mile ride takes approximately 37 minutes and costs $10 each way. Trains depart every 15 minutes between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. and every 30 minutes outside of those hours. Denver Union Station is a beautiful 1914 Beaux-Arts building and serves as the city's transportation hub, providing access to additional local and regional transportation options, including light rail, Amtrak rail, buses, and taxis.
For travellers who prefer to take a bus, RTD's SkyRide buses are an option and are wheelchair accessible. Metro Taxi and Denver Yellow Cab offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles with prior notice and reservation.
Travellers can also opt for a car ride to downtown Denver. The drive from the airport to downtown takes around 37 minutes without traffic. Ride-sharing services such as Uber are available at the airport.
Denver International Airport provides a range of transport options for travellers to conveniently reach downtown Denver, ensuring a smooth and accessible journey.
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The airport has won awards for its customer service
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it was the sixth busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States, serving around 77.8 million passengers. In 2024, DEN set an all-time passenger record with 82,358,744 passengers served.
The airport's customer service includes knowledgeable customer service agents who can be video chatted with and who can help passengers navigate the airport. DEN also has hundreds of volunteers, including therapy animals, to improve the passenger experience.
The airport's unique design and art program also contribute to its customer experience. The award-winning architecture of the Jeppesen Terminal, designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects, features an internationally recognized peaked roof that resembles the Rocky Mountains and evokes the early history of Colorado. The airport also features a public art collection with Colorado-inspired rotating exhibitions and artworks, including a bronze statue of Denver native Jack Swigert and murals by Chicano artist Leo Tanguma.
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DEN has a range of amenities, including dining and shopping
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving around 77.8 million passengers in 2023. The airport has a wide range of amenities, including dining and shopping options, to cater to the millions of travellers passing through each year.
DEN offers a variety of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. From cafes for early birds to bars and restaurants with full meals and gourmet offerings, passengers can find something to eat throughout the airport, including at Concourses A, B, and C, the Jeppesen Terminal, the Westin Hotel, and the Transit Center.
For those looking for a quick bite, there are several fast-food options available, including McDonald's and Subway. For travellers seeking a more substantial meal, sit-down restaurants such as Timberline Steaks & Grille, Grill & Vine, and Denver Chophouse offer full meals and are popular choices. There are also international cuisine options, including Mizu Sushi Izakaya, ChoLon Modern Asian, and Garbanzo, as well as a range of healthy and vegetarian options at outlets like Etai's and Root Down.
In addition to dining, DEN also features a variety of shopping options. The airport is internationally recognised for its extensive public art collection, including a bronze statue of Denver native Jack Swigert and four murals by Chicano artist Leo Tanguma. Colorado-inspired rotating exhibitions further enhance the cultural offerings at the airport.
The Jeppesen Terminal, named after aviation safety pioneer Elrey Borge Jeppesen, also offers a range of shops for passengers to explore. From grab-and-go snacks to premium chocolates and sweet treats, travellers can find a variety of options to suit their needs. The airport also provides interactive maps to help passengers easily locate their desired dining and shopping destinations, as well as other amenities like baggage claim and art installations.
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Frequently asked questions
Denver International Airport offers a range of accessibility services. The airport provides free wireless internet access throughout the airport. Wheelchair services can be arranged by contacting your airline at least 48 hours prior to your departure. The airport also has a free cell phone waiting lot. In addition, all of RTD's SkyRide buses are wheelchair accessible and Metro Taxi and Denver Yellow Cab can provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles with prior notice and reservation.
Denver International Airport has an extensive public art collection and Colorado-inspired rotating exhibitions. The airport also has an unusually high concentration of locally-based restaurants and shops.
Denver International Airport has a commuter rail service that connects the airport with downtown Denver. The airport rail, known as the A Line, serves eight stations and travels between the airport and Denver Union Station. The city's public transport system, Regional Transportation District (RTD), also operates four bus routes under the frequent airport express bus service called SkyRide.
Denver International Airport has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Airport Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award from International Airport Review in 2023. In 2024, DEN was awarded the ENVISION Silver Award by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) for a runway pavement rehabilitation and lighting upgrade project. In 2020, Skytrax World Airport Awards named DEN the best airport in the U.S. and the Wall Street Journal ranked it as the top airport in its first U.S. airport rankings in 2018.
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving around 77.8 million passengers in 2023. The airport is 23 miles from downtown Denver and occupies 52.4 square miles of land, the largest amount of commercial airport land area in North America. The airport has a unique peaked roof design that resembles snow-capped mountains. The airport also has a statue of Denver native Jack Swigert, who flew on Apollo 13 and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982.
