Denver Flights

4 more images

Getting in and out of Denver is easy, when flying. The airport is located to the far northeast, but ground transportation if plentiful. Numerous rental car agencies are on the grounds and there are several options from hotel shuttles to commercial shuttles to and from every part of town.

Out on the east side of Denver, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by Toll roads with the exception of I-70, this airport is easy to access with very little congestion. They have alternative parking spots with shuttle for $5/night. Easy drop off, Easy check in to the airport, and a massive foodcourt. Unfortunately the wireless internet is not free - you have to be a cingular wireless subscriber, though T-mobile roam service is available for $5/24 hours. Shuttle trains to the concourse and a bit of artsy decoration and building structures. 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

3/21/08: Aurora/Denver, Colorado. A very state-of-the-art Airport, with modern art displays, tented by large pavillion teepee-like structures protecting against the winds and snow gusts, also giving an ethereal architectural display of settlement on the plains as the airport is in close proximity between Denver and the state of Kansas, in the heart of the plains most western edge. Tornados are common in the area away from the seasons or months that carry snow, and serves as a Tornado shelter. Panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains as you sit waiting for your flight in this mile-high location. Efficient staff and services, shops, restaurants, and a effective check-in/screening process. DIA does take advantage of the technologies lying around out there. Wifi, tele-services, and a postal office area within the terminals. By far, minus the crowds, DiA is one of my favorite airports. Rated 5 stars out of 5.

One of the largest airports in the world is located in Denver, CO servicing this city and most of the midwest. DEN is the replacement to Stapleton International Airport, and serves domestic as well as international destinations. DEN is a hub for United Airlines, and its affiliates Ted and others. This also makes it a major gateway for the Star Alliance airlines such as Air Canada, USAirways, amongst others.

The following airlines fly into/out of DEN:

Air Canada
AirTran Airways
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Big Sky Airlines
British Airways
Champion Air
Continental Airlines
Delta
Frontier
Horizon Air
jetBlue
Lufthansa
Mesa Airlines
Mexicana
Midwest Airlines
NWA
Southwest
Sun Country
United
US Airways

Now that most airlines do not serve food on flights, if you have a connecting or a long flight, you might want to buy a meal in the airport to take on the plane with you. The Mile High Grille in Concourse B in the Denver International Airport has good pre-made sandwiches. I personally recommend the tomato, mozzerella and pesto sandwich. And it's much more respectful to your fellow travellers to take a cold sandwich than stinky, greasy McDonalds on the plane :)

Denver International Airport was a famous flawed idea when it opened up. The automated baggage system failed and those that had to take flights would drive the extra hour and a half to Colorado Springs to avoid the troubles of what we call DIA. Denver is a major hub for United Airlines and has a few direct international flights including to London, Mexico City, Toronto, and Frankfurt.

One of the biggest troubles with DIA is that it was built far from the city center in 1995. It is the 5th busiest airport in the US and the 10th busiest in the World. Why did they build the airport almost 30 miles from the CBD? Denver International Airport sits on a piece of property that is 53 square miles large providing for plenty of room to build larger or more runways, more cargo areas and also to stay away from the rapidly encroaching suburban developments.

They may have dropped the ball when they opened, but I have to wonder what some of those Eastern city airports will do when they have to extend their runways for the new airbus. I never worry about this with DIA.

A taxi ride from DIA to the CBD is a flat 55 dollar rate. You may as well take a limo or town car as these also charge 55 dollars to the Downtown.

The security check area is very spaciuos, and almost always moves easily.

Rumors also abound that beneath DIA is a series of secret tunnels that is known only to the government. Denver is often known as the "backup" Washington DC so I would not be surprised if it was true.

Believe the stories you've been told about the airport being in the middle of nowhere! The darn thing is 10 miles off of the highway. A car is a must, or at least a friend willing to trek out to the boonies and tote you around during your visit.

Denver Airport is located about 30mi/50km east of downtown. Getting to and from downtown/the airport you can use the RTD Skyride service. The pickup/drop off locations at DIA have changed, as of Sept 7, 2003. They drop off between doors 507 and 511 on the east side of the terminal. The pick up spot is now located thru door 507 on island 5.

For schedules go to www.rtd-denver.com . The trips to/from downtown cost $8. These buses serve other parts of the metro area as well. If your taking an RTD (Skyride) bus to the airport you pay the driver (cash only - have exact change).

Greyhound also has 3-4 trips a day to the airport from downtown. Buy tickets for these buses at the station or online at: www.greyhound.com
RTD and Greyhound can accomodate luggage. RTD has bike racks on the front of their buses. They can hold 2 bikes. They can also accomodate large luggage under the bus

There are several taxi companies: Yellow Cab, phone 303-777-7777. Metro cab 303-333-3333.

E-tickets:
I was told (by ppl onine) that I could bring my e-ticket printout right to the gate and get my ticket. You can't do that. You have to either go to the ticket counter or go to those machines where you run your credit card thru and it issues the ticket. (I didn't see any of these. Where are they?)
When you get your ticket at the gate you only get the ticket for the flight that day. If you have a return ticket you have to go to the ticket counter on the day of that flight to get that ticket.
My opinion: Thats a pain in the a**, especially during holidays when the lines are miles long. There's no convenience in those tickets.

The biggest air hub within a 600-mile radius, Denver International Airport is spacious and efficient. Viewed from the outside, the Jeppesen Terminal building at Denver International Airport is reminiscent of a circus tent or a field of whipped marshmallows, but the architects insist that the structure was inspired by the snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains.