Denver Airport

After checking my bags at the curb I was unable to obtain a boarding pass. I had to wait to check-in at the gate. I have an artificial hip which usually causes me to set off the old style scanners. After an inefficient wait to have my items scanned I requested to go through the new x-ray machines. I was told no. I was told that it was because I didn't have someone to watch my belongings. I was forced to set off the detector alarms and submit myself to a pat-down in front of hundreds of people. It is a shame that Denver airport leaves such a bad impression in what would have been a pleasant journey. To top it all off since I was detained for so long at security and didn't get my boarding pass at the curb I had to sit at the back of the plane in the middle.

There is one huge problem with this airport. It is very easy to walk out of the security area without meaning to. I used to live in Denver so when I was scheduled to transit through DIA enroute from Atlanta to Sacramento I decided that I would have dinner at a restaurant in the main terminal that I used to eat at. When I lived there the upper level in the main terminal was part of the secure area - now it isn't. I came out in the main terminal and realized that I was outside the security area. It took me 45 mins to get back inside the security area. Fortunately I made my connecting flight. Needless to say I didn't have dinner. I bet this happens all the time - airport management should put up some signs - lots of other airports do.

I have used DEN 3 times and every time it has been a pleasant experience. Signage has been no problem throughout the terminal and I have always been able to find my way without any problems. The terminal has spacious concourses and it seems to be able to handle the considerable passenger load better than most airports of its size and traffic volume. Some of the carpeting in the terminal is getting a bit faded but the upkeep is very good overall. The security personnel had serious but professional manners and the lines were reasonably short. The distance to downtown Denver is a bit long but not unreasonable (many cities have longer distances).

Arrived from Dulles. Has three terminals (A B C) and they are connected by a train which is very quick. You could probably get from A to C in 5 minutes on this train although I don't know how often they arrive. TSA security line was very long and slow moving although you can sign up to an express security scheme there for an annual fee so this may be worthwhile for people who frequently go through DEN. After arriving you need to take the train to baggage claim which can be a tedious journey to go to the other side of the airport just to collect your bags. Sign posting for this is not immediately apparent to someone new to the airport. Ground transportation to downtown is plentiful but taxis are expensive ($65). Best to get the $20 airport shuttle bus which your hotel can arrange and which you can pay in cash. ATMs everywhere but they appear not to take Maestro cards so be warned. Distance from downtown is quite far and a car or taxi takes just under 40 minutes early in the morning and possibly longer later in day with traffic. Huge selection of excellent cafes restaurants and souvenir stores. Also has small number of internet PC stations so you wont need a wi-fi enabled laptop to get online here. Helpful friendly staff.

I fly in and out of Denver and it is one of the airports that you can figure your way around and also allows you to be able to find things you might have not expected. With the allowance to walk to terminal A and go through security there if you dont want to deal with the bigger security lines to keeping everything in check and also clean as can be it makes it such a nice place to travel through just wish the luggage would have been a little faster.

There are no hotels you can walk to from the terminal. Everything is located at maximum distance from everything else - rental cars accommodations and shopping. High speed rail to Union Station doesn't exist. If forced to stay overnight while changing planes vast amounts of time are involved getting to/from your hotel. I cannot conceive what the planners had in mind to create such an isolated ill-suited and tedious facility. Denver is a beautiful city but it is a distant glow from the terminal windows.

Transited twice in a week and found it to be a pleasant experience. Lots of folks but also lots of facilities for handling them. The space is comfortable and the layout is well able to deal with the volume. Nice place for a wait.

I've flown into and out of Denver several times. Since we live overseas we always arrive at Denver after at least 30 hours of traveling and late at night. However Denver is one of a few airports that I land at after a long trip and do not feel like I'm cramped stressed or outdated. The terminals are very large and spacious and allow a large amount of natural light to illuminate the area. Even during the height of the holiday season when there are hoards of people flocking to Denver the airport gives the sense that it is never really crowded. Even the train system is rarely jammed with people. Despite that the problem that always seems to hit me is that my bag is always delayed or lost. After traveling for 30+ hours the last thing you want to do is wait for your bag or even worse be told that it will be delivered the following day. My suggestion is that Denver needs to find a real solution to their baggage problems. The "new" system has been a complete failure and United will no longer be using it because of maintenance costs.

As a long term resident of the Denver metro area I appreciated the location of the previous Stapleton International Airport for passenger convenience (excellent bus connections for example) and layout (you could walk to any gate relatively quickly) but recognized the value of relocating and improving the runway situation for operations. DIA's downsides are its location vulnerability of passenger and crew access during snow or ice storms (which sometimes close the access road and regularly make it hazardous) security (Hint: there is a generally less used security post to Concourse A that I use even when flying from a different concourse - access over the direct access bridge past the changing art exhibit is very pleasant - then transfer to another concourse if needed) and lack of a walking or people- mover alternative to the trains in accessing Concourses B and C as is available in ATL for example. Somewhat better direct international connectivity would be nice. DIA's upsides are its architecture relative spaciousness airport art the very pleasant bridge and changing art exhibition space between the terminal and Concourse A (leading to that third less- utilized though smaller security checkpoint) runway design passenger-handling capacity (except for extreme travelling periods) and a couple of food and beverage outlets. The personal greeting by Denver's mayor as you arrive in the train at the terminal is a nice touch.

A very nice airport in many respects. Internet access is poor. Abysmal free Internet service is erratic and won't permit sending SMTP email. They should allow pay services in addition. This is a big problem for business users and I haven't been able to find where to complain to. (Quest and then Skyport used to provide free LAN connections for business users but the space has been abandoned [Terminal B upstairs]. Nearest motels are 15 minutes away. The airport is supposedly the second largest (52 sq miles) but the amount of wasted space is truly extraordinary.