Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

Consolidated DEN connection time/logistics-Domestic & International

Old Jul 2, 2013, 5:59 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Due to the length of concourse B, a connection under an hour when the arriving or departing flight is a UA mainline aircraft, is not advised. If you arrive on the far west end and depart on the far east end, then allowing for the time it takes deboard the plane, and the 20 minute cut off when UA starts to cancel seat assignments, you are unlikely to make your connection. Of course sitting in the front of the arriving plane helps as does having no green tagged bags.

However, if both aircraft are United Express, then a 45 minute connection is acceptable because all United Express flights arrive and depart on the east end of concourse B. Due to construction some United Express flights are utilizing concourse A which requires a transfer via train.
-----
CONTENT ADDED NOV 25, 2015

Everything You Wanted to Know Flying UA at Denver Intl (DEN)

Security (TSA Pre):
North Security 4am-7:45pm
South Security 4am-7:45pm, but checkpoint is 24/7, PreCheck pax receive expedited screening through standard lanes when full PreCheck is closed via laminated card.
A Bridge does NOT have PreCheck but hours are 4:30am-5:45pm

Security (Non-TSA Pre):
Terminal North TSA checkpoint - 4am-7:45pm
Terminal South TSA checkpoint 24/7
A Bridge TSA checkpoint - 4:30am-5:45pm

Places to Eat on Concourse B (FT Favorites)
Coffee: Caribou Coffee (Mezzanine level in center of concourse), Starbucks (B83 in the RJ Gates)
Fast Food: Modmarket (Main level in center of concourse by McDonalds, NE corner), Steve's Snappin' Dogs (B24), ShakeShack on Mezzanine Center Core
Breakfast: Pour La France (Main level in center of concourse, NW corner), Snooze an A.M. Eatery and Voodoo Donuts, on Mezzanine Center Core.
Lunch/Dinner: Elways (Main level in center of concourse, SW corner), Etai's Bakery Caf (B22), Que Bueno! Mexican Grille (B52), Aviators (Mezzanine level in center of concourse)
Drinks: New Belgium Hub (B80 in the RJ Gates), CR Food and Wine Bar (B51)

Gate Configurations:
A14-A16, A18-A20, A23-A24, A26, A28-A30, B7-B29 & B31, 33, 35, 37, 39, and 41 - B60-B79 Narrow body gates
A17, A21, A25, A27, A31, B30, B32, B34, B36, B38, and B42: Wide body gates
B49-B95: RJ gates with the larger RJs consolidated in the B49-B59 range

"Suggested" Connection Times (Domestic to Domestic/International)
1hr to 1hr 30min (assuming a walk from B15 down to B90)
Standard D/D MCT (UA-UA) is 30 minutes and 50 minutes for another carrier

"Suggested" Connection Times (International to Domestic, non-Pre Clear)
1hr 30 min to 2hrs (depending on use of GE/no-GE and security lines)
Standard I/D MCT is 70 minutes and longer

United Club Locations (Two Clubs)
B32 (West Club): 4:30am to 9:30pm daily
B44 (East Club): CLOSED for Remodeling
B59 (East Pop-Up Club): 7:00am to 9:30pm daily
B60 (Club Fly): 7:00am to 9:00pm daily - grab and go plus freshly made coffee beverages

Terminal map: April 2019

Note from December 25, 2022:
STRONGLY encourage you to use the United app for the most current maps of the DEN gates. New gates in A-West, B-West and B-East are not accurately depicted in the graphic below. Will monitor for updated maps and publish as soon as possible.


MCT Sept 2023 (Expert Flyer)
Minimum Connect Times
Code:
STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE .50 1.00 1.00 1.00
OFFLINE .50 1.00 1.00 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP CDS ** - ** COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP CDS ** - **
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS N/A - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP CDS N/A - ** COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 4620 - 4627 - ALL EQP BUS - ALL CDS N/A - **
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 6380 - 6399 - ALL EQP BUS - ALL CDS N/A - **
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - N/A
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP CDS ** - N/A COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP ALL - FLT 4620 - 4627 EQP ALL - BUS CDS ** - N/A
UA-UA DD SUP ALL - FLT 6380 - 6399 EQP ALL - BUS CDS ** - N/A
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 4620 - 4627 - FLT 4620 - 4627 EQP BUS - BUS
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 6380 - 6399 - FLT 4620 - 4627 EQP BUS - BUS
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 4620 - 4627 - FLT 6380 - 6399 EQP BUS - BUS
UA-UA DD SUP FLT 6380 - 6399 - FLT 6380 - 6399 EQP BUS - BUS
UA-UA DD .50 EQP BUS - ALL 04JAN23 - INF
UA-UA DD .40 01FEB23 - INF
**-UA DD SUP ALL - FLT 4620 - 4627 EQP ALL - BUS
**-UA DD SUP ALL - FLT 6380 - 6399 EQP ALL - BUS
UA-** DD SUP FLT 4620 - 4627 - ALL EQP BUS - ALL
UA-** DD SUP FLT 6380 - 6399 - ALL EQP BUS - ALL
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - 2D
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - 2Z
**-** DD GLSUP CDS 2D - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS 2Z - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AD - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AR - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS BC - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS BT - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS D8 - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS DY - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS EK - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS EW - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS F9 - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS H2 - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS HX - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS KC - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS MX - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS NK - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS PC - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS PD - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS QS - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS RO - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS SY - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS TR - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS TS - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS UX - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS VA - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS VB - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS W6 - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS XP - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS Y4 - AA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - AR
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - BC
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - BT
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - D8
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - DY
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - EK
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - EW
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - F9
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - H2
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - KC
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - PC
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - PD
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - QS
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - RO
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - SY
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - TR
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - UX
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - VA
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - VB
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - W6
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - XP
**-** DD GLSUP CDS AA - Y4
UA-UA DI SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DI SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS N/A - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DI SUP FLT 4620 - 4627 - ALL EQP BUS - ALL CDS N/A - **
UA-UA DI SUP FLT 6380 - 6399 - ALL EQP BUS - ALL CDS N/A - **
UA-UA DI SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - N/A
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DI SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA DI 1.10 EQP BUS - ALL
UA-UA DI .40
UA-** DI SUP FLT 6380 - 6399 - ALL EQP BUS - ALL
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - 2D
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - 2Z
**-** DI GLSUP CDS 2D - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS 2Z - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AD - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AR - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS BC - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS BT - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS D8 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS DY - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS EK - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS EW - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS F9 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS H2 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS HX - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS KC - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS MX - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS NK - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS PC - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS PD - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS QS - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS RO - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS SY - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS TR - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS TS - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS UX - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS VA - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS VB - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS W6 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS XP - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS Y4 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - AR
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - BC
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - BT
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - D8
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - DY
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - EK
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - EW
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - F9
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - H2
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - KC
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - PC
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - PD
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - QS
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - RO
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - SY
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - TR
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - UX
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - VA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - VB
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - W6
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - XP
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - Y4
UA-UA ID SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA ID SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS N/A - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA ID SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - N/A
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA ID SUP ALL - FLT 4620 - 4627 EQP ALL - BUS CDS ** - N/A
UA-UA ID SUP ALL - FLT 6380 - 6399 EQP ALL - BUS CDS ** - N/A
UA-UA ID 1.35 FLT 1134 - 1134 - ALL CUN - ALL 04NOV23 - 08JAN24
UA-UA ID 1.35 FLT 1134 - 1134 - ALL CUN - ALL 07MAR24 - 09MAR24
UA-UA ID SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA ID 1.10
**-UA ID SUP ALL - FLT 6380 - 6399 EQP ALL - BUS
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - 2D
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - 2Z
**-** ID GLSUP CDS 2D - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS 2Z - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AD - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AR - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS BC - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS BT - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS D8 - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS DY - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS EK - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS EW - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS F9 - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS H2 - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS HX - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS KC - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS MX - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS NK - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS PC - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS PD - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS QS - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS RO - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS SY - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS TR - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS TS - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS UX - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS VA - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS VB - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS W6 - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS XP - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS Y4 - AA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - AR
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - BC
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - BT
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - D8
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - DY
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - EK
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - EW
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - F9
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - H2
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - KC
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - PC
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - PD
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - QS
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - RO
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - SY
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - TR
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - UX
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - VA
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - VB
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - W6
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - XP
**-** ID GLSUP CDS AA - Y4
UA-UA II SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA II SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS N/A - **
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA II SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999 CDS ** - N/A
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA II SUP FLT 1 - 9999 - FLT 1 - 9999
COUNTRY CA - COUNTRY CA
UA-UA II 1.00
UA-** II GLSUP COUNTRY SV - COUNTRY NI
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - 2D
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - 2Z
**-** II GLSUP CDS 2D - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS 2Z - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS AD - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS AR - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS BC - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS BT - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS D8 - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS DY - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS EK - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS EW - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS F9 - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS H2 - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS HX - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS KC - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS MX - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS NK - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS PC - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS PD - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS QS - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS RO - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS SY - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS TR - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS TS - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS UX - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS VA - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS VB - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS W6 - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS XP - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS Y4 - AA
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - AR
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - BC
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - BT
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - D8
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - DY
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - EK
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - EW
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - F9
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - H2
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - KC
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - PC
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - PD
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - QS
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - RO
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - SY
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - TR
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - UX
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - VA
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - VB
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - W6
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - XP
**-** II GLSUP CDS AA - Y4
Print Wikipost

Consolidated DEN connection time/logistics-Domestic & International

Old Oct 12, 2016, 6:52 am
  #211  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,831
Originally Posted by char777
It's all in the same building. International passengers walk across the bridge from the A concourse into customs at the north side of the terminal. You'll exit and see the north side security right in front of you (and once you get past all the people greeting loved ones). This checkpoint has Precheck, premium, and Clear lanes. You'll then take the train to the B concourse. If you're in F (didn't think LH had any F from DEN anymore, but I could be wrong), have Global Entry, and it all goes well, you could probably do pretty well. An hour is probably more than fine under those circumstances, but there's always a risk...
Thanks, this is helpful.

Lufthansa has F class on the 333 flight from Munich which arrives at 2.30pm. There is no more F class on the 747-400 flight from Frankfurt which arrives later.


Originally Posted by jsloan
Is this on a single ticket, or did you purchase multiple tickets?
Separate tickets. The second one is an award ticket. I do understand that neither LH nor UA will take care of me, hence my question whether it is feasible to make a 55 minute connection.

55 minutes is an illegal connection for an LH-UA flight at DEN. The posted minimum is 1 hour and ten minutes. (It's one hour exactly for international to domestic, regardless of airline; LH-UA has its own rule). If you are on a single ticket, the ticketing carrier should fix this in advance. Their default response will likely be to put you onto the next UA flight to your destination. However, they may be flexible and allow you to change routings if you ask (if that helps).
I know. But I presume that the MCT is calculated for an "average" traveler, i.e. one that gets off the plane around the middle of the pack rather in the first ten pax to leave the plane, that has no GE, that has luggage, no access to priority line at TSA. With that I was wondering whether I could shave off a couple of minutes of the MCT. And if a pax arriving on BA can connect to UA in 1 hour then in theory so should a pax arriving on LH. So I would actually undercut MCT by 5 minutes.

But since I have not connected internationally in DEN since 2001 I simply do not remember the layout and distances, and I presume that things have changed since then. Hence my question here in the forum.

Originally Posted by repcool
If everything goes as planned and you keep moving you will be fine. Be sure to go to the PreCheck line because that is where the most risk is.

At many US airports I have been through Global Entry and customs in less than 5 minutes only to be stuck in security with no PreCheck for 25!
The connection I try to make is to make an arrival at 2.30pm and a departure on an UAX flight at 3.25pm. From what you say that should work.

I presumably won't have Pre (for some reason it never works for me), but at least access to the priority lane.

If I get off the plane at 2.30pm, I should be through immigration/customs by 2.40 or 2.45pm. Then I have 15 minutes at TSA. Which would leave me with 15 minutes to arrive ten minutes before departure at my gate in the high B area (UAX flight). Sounds plausible? UAX closes gates 10 minutes before departure, right?

There are some variables in this calculation, maybe I am out of customs much quicker (as a reference, in Chicago it takes me 10 minutes even from the farthest gate of T5 to the curb and the Uber car) and maybe I spend a little more time in security. What I cannot gather because I do not know the airport is the time it takes from security to the gates. And then there should be additional slack in the plan as the LH flight typically arrives a little early.
San Gottardo is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2016, 6:57 am
  #212  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 46
DEN connection

I did this last week, arriving on the MUC-DEN flight in C and connecting to SNA (1 hour 10 minutes later), without GE. No line at immigration at that time, and short security line. Took a total of 30 minutes from landing to arrival at SNA departure gate. YMMV.
ddsyes is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2016, 7:22 am
  #213  
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: seat 9A
Programs: UA 1K, Flying Blue Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriot Plat (TWA / NWA - million miler)
Posts: 54
i think your chances are greater than 90%. you probably will have time to get a beer in the lounge...
Z Man is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2016, 8:51 am
  #214  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 754
Originally Posted by ddsyes
I did this last week, arriving on the MUC-DEN flight in C and connecting to SNA (1 hour 10 minutes later), without GE. No line at immigration at that time, and short security line. Took a total of 30 minutes from landing to arrival at SNA departure gate. YMMV.
UX gates are maybe 5 minutes further down B than the "average" B gate for a fast walker using the moving walkways. All in all DEN is incredibly easy to navigate.
economyplusfan is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2016, 10:28 am
  #215  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,158
Originally Posted by San Gottardo
Haven't connected in DEN for 15 years, but will do so next week. Hence my question:

What is the shortest ("all stars aligned") connection time off the Lufthansa MUC-DEN flight and transferring to a regional flight?

I have aligned some stars already: flying in F, so I should come out quickly. I have Global Entry, so I should go through immigration quickly. I have no luggage, so more time saved. I am a fast walker.

What I don't know:
  • Coming from an international flight, will I exit in the main terminal building?
  • And go through securtiy in the main building, or in the B concourse?
  • Not sure if my TSA Pre works (has never worked so far...), so is there a Priority line wherever I need to go through security?
  • Any hints for the quickest way to the regional departure gates which are at the far end of the B concourse?

If the MUC flight lands on time, this will only leave me 55 minutes connection time. But often the MUC flight arrives early, leaving me around 1hour 15 minutes for a connection. Would that work?
Fortunately for you Immigration at DEN is almost always empty. All international flights arrive at terminal A and LH gates are closest to the center so deplaning first and jogging over the bridge you'll probably be thru customs and in the TSA line within 15 mins. You'll come out of customs in the main terminal and the North security checkpoint will be directly in front of you. If that's backed up, go directly upstairs to the bridge checkpoint which takes you back to terminal A.

Mid-day at northside TSA checkpoint should be relatively dead but you never know - this is where the biggest risk is but even on heavy days I've never been more than 15 mins in line. Quick train ride to terminal B and a brisk walk to the 80's gates - maybe another 10 mins.

I'd say a 55 min connection is very doable - just lots of walking.

Last edited by mrswirl; Oct 12, 2016 at 10:36 am
mrswirl is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2016, 11:28 am
  #216  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,650
Originally Posted by San Gottardo
I know. But I presume that the MCT is calculated for an "average" traveler, i.e. one that gets off the plane around the middle of the pack rather in the first ten pax to leave the plane, that has no GE, that has luggage, no access to priority line at TSA.
This is a bad assumption, and fortunately the MCT is not set there. MCT is set by the airline to balance maximizing possible connections during banks with minimizing reaccomodation costs. Typical DD MCT at UA hubs is 25 minutes, which IMO the "average" traveller is not going to make if they were to actually book given UA's current OTP, boarding process, hub size, etc.
mduell is online now  
Old Oct 12, 2016, 1:24 pm
  #217  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,831
Originally Posted by mrswirl
Fortunately for you Immigration at DEN is almost always empty. All international flights arrive at terminal A and LH gates are closest to the center so deplaning first and jogging over the bridge you'll probably be thru customs and in the TSA line within 15 mins. You'll come out of customs in the main terminal and the North security checkpoint will be directly in front of you. If that's backed up, go directly upstairs to the bridge checkpoint which takes you back to terminal A.

Mid-day at northside TSA checkpoint should be relatively dead but you never know - this is where the biggest risk is but even on heavy days I've never been more than 15 mins in line. Quick train ride to terminal B and a brisk walk to the 80's gates - maybe another 10 mins.

I'd say a 55 min connection is very doable - just lots of walking.
Thanks a lot, really helpful.

Based on this and previous posts - thank you everybody! - I have now rebooked my connecting flight. I am ready to take the risk, but the alternative is waiting for 4.5 hours at DEN, an idea which depresses me (especially with the terrible UA club).
Originally Posted by mduell
This is a bad assumption, and fortunately the MCT is not set there. MCT is set by the airline to balance maximizing possible connections during banks with minimizing reaccomodation costs. Typical DD MCT at UA hubs is 25 minutes, which IMO the "average" traveller is not going to make if they were to actually book given UA's current OTP, boarding process, hub size, etc.
I do understand that they set MCT to maximize connections. But if they calculate it too tightly, then they will indeed produce too many mis-connects, which cannot be in their interest either. Especially if it leads to situations where people will have to be put up in a hotel for instance. Interesting tradeoff though that they have to make.

Again: thanks to all posters who helped me make an informed decision and (hopefully!) reach my destination earlier.
San Gottardo is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2016, 1:53 pm
  #218  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,158
Originally Posted by San Gottardo

I am ready to take the risk, but the alternative is waiting for 4.5 hours at DEN, an idea which depresses me (especially with the terrible UA club).
Clubs have gotten better recently - food-wise at least. East side club has been refurbished recently compared to the West side. Better food options in the center of terminal B too (Mod Market is my new favorite).

Good luck.
mrswirl is offline  
Old Oct 13, 2016, 2:00 am
  #219  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,831
Originally Posted by mrswirl
Clubs have gotten better recently - food-wise at least. East side club has been refurbished recently compared to the West side. Better food options in the center of terminal B too (Mod Market is my new favorite).

Good luck.
Good to know, thanks. I did a domestic UA-UA connex at DEN a couple of months ago, very late in the evening, and there was only one club open. Not sure whether that was East or West. It was absolutely grotty.

But if all goes well I won't see the club anyway but will be on my connecting flight straight away!
San Gottardo is offline  
Old Oct 14, 2016, 11:48 pm
  #220  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 5280 feet
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 674
Originally Posted by San Gottardo
Thanks a lot, really helpful.

Based on this and previous posts - thank you everybody! - I have now rebooked my connecting flight. I am ready to take the risk, but the alternative is waiting for 4.5 hours at DEN, an idea which depresses me (especially with the terrible UA club).
I do understand that they set MCT to maximize connections. But if they calculate it too tightly, then they will indeed produce too many mis-connects, which cannot be in their interest either. Especially if it leads to situations where people will have to be put up in a hotel for instance. Interesting tradeoff though that they have to make.

Again: thanks to all posters who helped me make an informed decision and (hopefully!) reach my destination earlier.
Just another bit of input from a frequent international traveller who is regularly on the NRT-DEN and FRA-DEN flights.

If you are in first class, you will be off the plane and have about a 5-7 minute brisk walk (10 minute if you have to walk at a slower pace) to the Global Entry kiosks. Expect some of your fellow travellers to race you. Ask me how I know

If the NRT flight is on time, customs is totally empty around 1230pm. But at the arrival time from MUC (330pm) your likely competition will be the BA flight from LHR which arrives at the same time, plus any straggling F9 or WN flights from Mexico (not sure of their arrival times). The FRA flight lands around 440pm but used to land around 330pm, and I have seen customs and immigration nicely jacked up at that time. Keep in mind DEN does not have extensive customs and immigration staff, so any lines you see will take longer than comparable length lines at major airports. I have seen the non-GE line for immigration go for 25-30 minutes during high times -- there is the first line for the automated kiosks and then the line where you get checked by an immigration officer.

But with GE you will wait at most for about 5 minutes.

If you are carry-on only, you are out of customs within a minute of getting done with GE. There is almost never a line to exit customs (like I have seen at ORD or SFO).

So from the door of your plane to customs exit should be about 15 minutes, maybe less if you walk fast and the GE kiosks have no line at all.

That leaves you 45 minutes to get through security and back to the B gates. Very doable if you have premium security privileges or precheck. Maybe 10-15 minutes for security (although beware: I have seen even the premium line take a long time -- 20 minute son one busy day) because the line merges with the line for handicapped / those-needing-assistance, VIP groups (Kings of Leon blew through there in front of me once) and they usually get to butt in -- and those who are very elderly and in wheelchairs take a lot longer than most folks in part because they usually also have added family members with them. Not knocking it, just my experience.

That really is my only caveat -- you shouldn't have an issue making the connection if the inbound flight is on time. The only risks are if your inbound is late or premium security lanes are particularly screwed up.
harryhood is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2016, 12:03 am
  #221  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: UAL 1K MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 438
Originally Posted by p_man
I'd love to know. United offered - and I booked w/o looking closely enough - a 30-minute connection in DEN going MKE-DEN-SFO. Not sure I'm thrilled with that.

That DEN-SFO flight isn't the last one of the day, so we could still get out that day, maybe. Should I just bite the bullet and change that leg?

Ual loves the 30 min Denver layover , many close call for this 1K
Lani1 is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2016, 4:49 pm
  #222  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: UA 1K, Delta PM, AA EXP, Marriott AMB, IHG Gold
Posts: 447
I'm flying SEA-DEN-ABQ on Jan 4th. The first flight is UX. Schedule change means a 31 minute connection. What are people's thoughts on this? I can alternatively leave a bit earlier and route trough SFO with a 52 min connection (and Google flights tells me the first flight is usually delayed by 30+ minutes). Which is safer/riskier?
Melodsal is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2016, 7:29 pm
  #223  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 457
Originally Posted by Melodsal
I'm flying SEA-DEN-ABQ on Jan 4th. The first flight is UX. Schedule change means a 31 minute connection. What are people's thoughts on this? I can alternatively leave a bit earlier and route trough SFO with a 52 min connection (and Google flights tells me the first flight is usually delayed by 30+ minutes). Which is safer/riskier?
Neither one sounds great but if you fly UX, you are safer to actually check a bag through than check it planeside and have to wait for it in Denver. The big question is when is the next flight if you miss it.
FlyfromDenver is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2017, 11:23 am
  #224  
S.R
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,114
DEN vs LAX Connection in march

Need to fly one way IAH-SFO in early March, and the 2 trips that work for me have connections as the nonstop are pretty expensive.
I have the option of a 1 hour connection in DEN, or 1.5 hours in LAX. However LAX is about $200 more if I want F, Y is same cost for both.

So would a 1 hour connection be safe in March in DEN? Just worried about weather, as its the last flight of the day from DEN-SFO.

And assuming same fare class is available, can I SDC to a nonstop?
S.R is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2017, 3:39 pm
  #225  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,324
Originally Posted by S.R
And assuming same fare class is available, can I SDC to a nonstop?
Very good question. The routing rules prohibit routing nonstop.. I forget what the current consensus is on breaking them.
findark is online now  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.