Jul 2, 2013, 5:59 pm
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.
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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 Café (B22), Que Bueno! Mexican Grille (B52), Aviators (Mezzanine level in center of concourse)
• Drinks: New Belgium Hub (B80 in the RJ Gates), CRÚ 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
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.
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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 Café (B22), Que Bueno! Mexican Grille (B52), Aviators (Mezzanine level in center of concourse)
• Drinks: New Belgium Hub (B80 in the RJ Gates), CRÚ 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
Consolidated DEN connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
Aug 20, 2017, 6:02 am
#258
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: No. California
Programs: UA MP HH LTD
Posts: 2,040
I am guessing this is the cheapest fare they are offering. United commonly offers options that are at or near the minimum connection time, nearly impossible to make, at the lowest price. Makes for a trying decision- save a few bucks vs. possibly missing the flight.
Aug 20, 2017, 7:08 am
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,073
In case I do miss my flight, who do I go to for rebooking, United or Lufthansa? Also, the next flight to FRA is only after 24 hrs so will United provide accommodation/meals? Or could they reroute me sooner through some other airport? What's the policy on this, and in general for codeshare international connections?
UA might rebook you into full Y which will earn some nice bonus, but there is no guarantee. LH held a flight for me in June ... but I was in F. Doubt they will do that for a Y pax.
Aug 20, 2017, 7:20 am
#260
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
Hi!
I am planning of booking my SFO-DXB flight on united.com with the following itinerary (same ticket, economy class):
Dec 17, 2017 - SFO-DEN - UA1858 - 1:20pm-4:47pm
Dec 17, 2017 - DEN-FRA - LH447 - 5:30pm-11:05am(+1)
And then FRA-DXB on LH630.
My primary concern is the low connection time of 43 minutes at DEN. How doable is this, considering Denver weather in December and other factors? Google tells me that UA1858 is often delayed by 30+ min, but so is LH447. Also, how far apart are the United domestic/Lufthansa international gates at Denver airport? What's the possibility that Lufthansa holds the flight for me, in case I get delayed? What about my baggage (2 pcs check-in), will they make the connection?
In case I do miss my flight, who do I go to for rebooking, United or Lufthansa? Also, the next flight to FRA is only after 24 hrs so will United provide accommodation/meals? Or could they reroute me sooner through some other airport? What's the policy on this, and in general for codeshare international connections?
I am planning of booking my SFO-DXB flight on united.com with the following itinerary (same ticket, economy class):
Dec 17, 2017 - SFO-DEN - UA1858 - 1:20pm-4:47pm
Dec 17, 2017 - DEN-FRA - LH447 - 5:30pm-11:05am(+1)
And then FRA-DXB on LH630.
My primary concern is the low connection time of 43 minutes at DEN. How doable is this, considering Denver weather in December and other factors? Google tells me that UA1858 is often delayed by 30+ min, but so is LH447. Also, how far apart are the United domestic/Lufthansa international gates at Denver airport? What's the possibility that Lufthansa holds the flight for me, in case I get delayed? What about my baggage (2 pcs check-in), will they make the connection?
In case I do miss my flight, who do I go to for rebooking, United or Lufthansa? Also, the next flight to FRA is only after 24 hrs so will United provide accommodation/meals? Or could they reroute me sooner through some other airport? What's the policy on this, and in general for codeshare international connections?
Aug 20, 2017, 7:29 am
#261
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,447
The train system can be unreliable. I have waited for over an hour while the entire train system was out of service with a packed train platform. I have waited more than once while the train system was out of service but the hour + has been the longest wait. Another time TSA shutdown because the outbound platform was full of departing passengers waiting for a train.
Aug 20, 2017, 8:12 am
#262
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,125
Except for a few screwups the airline/airport established MCTs are well thought out. The consequence of you missing a connection is potentially very expensive for them, so they have no interest is selling connections that are not possible.
Of course the shorter the connection the more likely you are to miss it because of a late flight. You need to weigh the attractiveness of the ticket with the short connection with your need to be at your destination at a certain time.
if you misconnect there are likely other options besides waiting 24 hours for the next LH flight. If you buy this ticket I would research the options so you can suggest them when being rebooked.
Of course the shorter the connection the more likely you are to miss it because of a late flight. You need to weigh the attractiveness of the ticket with the short connection with your need to be at your destination at a certain time.
if you misconnect there are likely other options besides waiting 24 hours for the next LH flight. If you buy this ticket I would research the options so you can suggest them when being rebooked.
Last edited by Aliquot; Aug 20, 2017 at 9:23 am
Aug 20, 2017, 8:16 am
#263
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
There's no way I would take this connection. Not only do you have to change terminals by taking the train, there's no telling which gate your inbound flight will use. You could have a loooooong walk to the train. IIRC, the LH gates are fairly close to the middle of the A terminal so at least you don't have too long of a walk out from the A terminal train station. Also, doors will shut at least 10 minutes before departure and it will take a while to deplane your inbound. Your transfer time easily goes from 43m to 27m - 23m. Or more likely goes from 43m to 24h43m.
Aug 20, 2017, 9:20 am
#264
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between SFO & SJC
Programs: UA 1MM (and no longer flying much)
Posts: 777
Welcome to Flyertalk afmdnf!
To pile on, don't try this connection. I fly to/through DEN a lot, including SFO-DEN-FRA. There are times that I would have made such a short connection, but plenty of times I would have missed it, despite being a very fast walker.
Also, in terms of the overall itinerary....
Do you absolutely need to fly this 2-stop route? I can imagine reasons one might do it, e.g. wanting to hit a EQM threshold by the end of the year, something to do with the return routing, or maybe you really need to find the cheapest flight possible.
But barring such considerations, SFO-DXB with 0 connections on EK is vastly less risky/painful. And there are lots of 1-stop routings such as SFO-FRA-DXB.
To pile on, don't try this connection. I fly to/through DEN a lot, including SFO-DEN-FRA. There are times that I would have made such a short connection, but plenty of times I would have missed it, despite being a very fast walker.
Also, in terms of the overall itinerary....
Do you absolutely need to fly this 2-stop route? I can imagine reasons one might do it, e.g. wanting to hit a EQM threshold by the end of the year, something to do with the return routing, or maybe you really need to find the cheapest flight possible.
But barring such considerations, SFO-DXB with 0 connections on EK is vastly less risky/painful. And there are lots of 1-stop routings such as SFO-FRA-DXB.
Aug 20, 2017, 9:26 am
#265
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 451
Assuming the UA flight is on time, you'd have no issue making it. Even from B11 (furthest mainline gate) to A41, it only takes 10-15 min at most to walk (including the train ride) at an average pace. Add a few more minutes if you're at the back of the plane. Easily doable.
Now as far as your bags go, that's another issue. It'd be up to LH to send one of their interline runners out to your UA flight to pick them up. I'm guessing they would, since they have a dedicated guy for star alliance transfer bags...but you never know. If they didn't do that, then there is a much higher chance of them not making it.
It's certainly risky, but also very doable if things run on time. Given that there are so many flights between SFO and DEN, I'd personally look into one that gives a little more buffer. But only you can determine how much risk you are comfortable with.
Now as far as your bags go, that's another issue. It'd be up to LH to send one of their interline runners out to your UA flight to pick them up. I'm guessing they would, since they have a dedicated guy for star alliance transfer bags...but you never know. If they didn't do that, then there is a much higher chance of them not making it.
It's certainly risky, but also very doable if things run on time. Given that there are so many flights between SFO and DEN, I'd personally look into one that gives a little more buffer. But only you can determine how much risk you are comfortable with.
Aug 20, 2017, 10:11 am
#266
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Don't do it. 2 hours minimum. Not because of how long you will need at DEN, but due to common delays ex-SFO. And if you miss, you are stuck overnight, because there's nothing else that will get you across the Atlantic from DEN same day.
In fact, if you're flying from SFO, why are you connecting in DEN for a TATL?
In fact, if you're flying from SFO, why are you connecting in DEN for a TATL?
Aug 20, 2017, 10:13 am
#267
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Do not do this.
First, always consider the consequences of a misconnect. If you are connecting to a destination with hourly service, it is no big deal. Here, you are connecting to a 1x/daily flight which itself connects onward to DXB. Given packed aircraft, a misconnect could mean a 1-2 day delay in actual arrival at DXB.
Second, you could misconnect even if UA is ontime. If UA is late, it it UA's obligation to rebook. If UA is ontime, it is up to LH to rebook if your fare rules provide for that. LH can be quite rules-oriented and may simply tell you that you had a legal connection and no showed. Your ticket is cancelled and you must purchase a new one (if that is what the fare rules provide).
This is all about risk tolerance. I would not try this unless I had "must do" events on both sides of my schedule.
First, always consider the consequences of a misconnect. If you are connecting to a destination with hourly service, it is no big deal. Here, you are connecting to a 1x/daily flight which itself connects onward to DXB. Given packed aircraft, a misconnect could mean a 1-2 day delay in actual arrival at DXB.
Second, you could misconnect even if UA is ontime. If UA is late, it it UA's obligation to rebook. If UA is ontime, it is up to LH to rebook if your fare rules provide for that. LH can be quite rules-oriented and may simply tell you that you had a legal connection and no showed. Your ticket is cancelled and you must purchase a new one (if that is what the fare rules provide).
This is all about risk tolerance. I would not try this unless I had "must do" events on both sides of my schedule.
Aug 20, 2017, 11:26 am
#268
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 462
The train system can be unreliable. I have waited for over an hour while the entire train system was out of service with a packed train platform. I have waited more than once while the train system was out of service but the hour + has been the longest wait. Another time TSA shutdown because the outbound platform was full of departing passengers waiting for a train.
Aug 20, 2017, 2:11 pm
#269
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,447
TSA shutdown screening passengers in June of 2015 since there was no place for screened passengers to go and the lack of amenities after screening until you arrive at a terminal. I have been to or through Denver more than once when the train system was out of service. Once I was in the departing concourse after waiting 30 minutes, I noticed a kid urinating in the tree pot.
Any delay with the train system is serious since that is only method of transport between some terminals. Because of my past encounters with the train system, I actively avoid the airport as much as possible.
Denver is the only airport I have traveled through with frequent trains out of service and delays.
Aug 20, 2017, 2:26 pm
#270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,606