Denver International Airport (DEN) is climbing the ranks to become one of the world's busiest airports — and as part of that, the airport is modernizing its security experience.
On Tuesday, the airport and the Transportation Security Administration formally opened the East Security Checkpoint, which consists of 17 new screening lanes on Level 6 of the east side of the Great Hall.
The new East Security Checkpoint mimics the West Security Checkpoint that opened last year, and replaces the South Security Checkpoint that closes Tuesday in tandem with this opening.
East Security screening lanes will be open daily from 3 a.m. until 1 a.m. the following day.
Both the eastern and western security areas offer three different entrances, depending on what type of ticket you have and the security program you're a member of:
- Entrance 1 is open to standard-screening passengers.
- Entrance 2 is for those with priority security and Clear members without TSA PreCheck.
- Entrance 3 is for passengers with TSA PreCheck.
If you're being dropped off at the airport and want to use the East Security Checkpoint, look for doors 601 to 605, with TSA PreCheck access closest to doors 601 and 603.
Concourse A bridge reopens
While more advanced screening capacity is always good news, perhaps the most exciting change is that the bridge to Denver's Concourse A is also reopening as part of this shift.
This means that after flyers clear security, they can walk straight across the bridge to the A gates without needing to take the underground train. That should alleviate some of the overcrowding we've seen in recent years on board the train; it also means that travelers looking to get in a few more steps or head straight to Concourse A's lounges (including the Capital One Lounge) can do so without stepping foot on the train.
Personally, I'm a big fan of collecting steps before a long flight, so you'll likely find me walking across the bridge even if I need to still get on the train to the B or C gates.
Plus, if you arrive in Concourse A, you'll be able to walk across the bridge and exit through the Great Hall without even hopping on the train — meaning that passing through DEN will be a little less cumbersome for select flyers.
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Looking ahead
This is just the latest phase of Denver's Great Hall modernization, which will be completed by the end of 2027. The next milestone is the opening of eight new standard security lanes on the north end of Level 5 in late summer 2026. These new lanes will be located near the international arrivals area, providing a quick transition for connecting international passengers returning to the concourses.
Additional escalators and stairs will also open at this time, providing more ways to get to baggage claim and ground transportation.
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