Denver Airport construction is progressing — here's the latest
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
If you've flown through Denver recently, odds are that you've noticed the ongoing construction. When the airport first opened in 1995, it was designed to handle 50 million annual passengers. In 2019, Denver welcomed more than 19 million more than its original capacity, and the airport is hoping to grow to at least 80 million annual passengers by 2025 (depending on the trajectory of the pandemic recovery).
Having outgrown its current infrastructure, the airport is undergoing a massive expansion program, split between two projects. In February 2021, I spent a day in Denver touring the construction.
Since then, progress has been made, moving along the construction over to the meet and greet area, adding walls to the center of the terminal on Level 5. Starting Wednesday, June 23, passengers will find new flooring and revamped bathrooms on both sides of the train exit in the Jeppensen Terminal.
Gate extension program
The airport is building 39 new gates, increasing capacity by 30%, in a project that will lengthen each of Denver's three passenger terminals with new gates, concessions, outdoor decks and more.
As Stu Williams, senior vice president of Denver’s airport expansion told TPG: "In essence, we are starting to fulfill the ultimate configuration of the airport on the existing A, B and C concourses."
The first extended concourse — Gates B7 to B12 in B West — opened in November and serves as a preview of what's to come for the airport.
Expect light-drenched hallways, thanks to expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, overhauled bathrooms and a variety of seating areas.
Related: Your inside look at Denver Airport's new terminal expansion
By the end of 2021, construction will be complete on the next concourse extension, C East. I toured the work in progress, and things are definitely coming along.
The C East expansion will feature 16 new gates, all leased to Southwest. The new building will connect seamlessly with the existing concourse; once construction is finished, the temporary wall dividing the two areas will be demolished.
Like the new B West gates, the C East concourse will enjoy more daylight with its full-length windows and taller ceilings.
It'll also feature the airport's new restroom design, with plenty of natural light, larger mirrors and other tech improvements.
There will be a new wayfinding system with updated digital signage, too.
The terminal will also have wider hallways, which should hopefully help relieve some of the congestion during peak departure and arrival banks.
C East will also be home to the airport's second outdoor deck with fireplaces, pet relief area, bar and all-weather seating. It'll face the nearby prairie and runways 17L and 17R.
One downside to the extension will be the trek from security. Once complete, the extended Concourse C will be approximately 1,155 feet long. If you're departing from one of the furthest gates, you could hit your daily step goal before departure.
In addition to C East, construction is also ongoing on the Concourse A-West and B-East extensions. Both of these projects are also slated for completion by the end of the year.
According to Williams, "there were some COVID impacts that we had to overcome. The supply chain was not as reliable and crews have been quarantined. We've maintained an aggressive schedule throughout the pandemic and we're opening on time."
Concourse A will see 12 gates added to its western end, and Concourse B will see 10 gates added to its eastern end. All 22 new gates will be leased to United.
Related: First look at the much-anticipated Amex Centurion Lounge in Denver
Great Hall renovation
In addition to extending the gate area, the main departure hall is also getting an overhaul. Phase 1 of this project will be complete by the end of the year — great news for those who've been inconvenienced by the ongoing work for the past few years.
Starting June 23, passengers will walk North toward pick-up, baggage claim and ground transportation rather than South to the arrivals area, where the rest of Phase 1 will remain.
The 16,000-square-foot Great Hall expansion will include a renovated check-in area on Level 6. Once complete, the check-in area will offer 86 self-bag-drop counters, boosting efficiency and throughput by roughly 30%.
There will also be a re-packing station with scales in the central check-in area should you need to shift the contents of your bags. The new ticketing pods will be split between Southwest and United, the airport's two largest tenants.
There's a second phase of Great Hall construction that's primarily focused on security enhancements. That work begins this summer, just a few months before the first phase ends.
The south security checkpoint will be relocated from Level 5 to Level 6 and expanded with five more screening lanes. Additionally, fortification walls will be added to the existing north security checkpoint.
When south security moves, the space it currently occupies will be turned into a new meet and greet area with concessions and other amenities.
Related: The second phase of the new Salt Lake City airport has opened; here’s a first look
Bottom line
Despite the pandemic, construction at Denver Airport is ongoing. The next time you transit through the airport, you might even notice some of the improvements, especially if you're departing from Concourse B West.
With 39 new gates and a renovated Great Hall coming soon, it won't be too much longer until the overhauled and improved Denver Airport is ready for prime time.
Additional reporting by Stella Shon.
All photos by Zach Griff/The Points Guy.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.