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
Apr 16, 2021, 11:28 am
#451
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
With the responses from others already, an hour at DEN might work. And there might be a terminal change.
Other things to consider:
Are you travelling by yourself or with family/others? How much luggage will you be carrying on and having to drag through/around DEN? If your LGA-DEN flight has any delays, are you up to hustling around an airport that's a mile above sea level with the luggage and other accoutrements?
And lastly, if you miss your connection, what's your backup plan(s)? What will happen to your reservation in HNL if you can't make it there that day?
David
Apr 16, 2021, 4:27 pm
#452
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver, whatever the Amex plat gets me and somehow still IHG Diamond after 3 years of no nights
Posts: 694
Although the C-D concourses are the same physical structure, depending on the two gates, it can be a good 10-12 minute walk at a brisk pace. HNL flights will typically board starting at T-40 or thereabouts. You have priority-ish boarding and likely do not want to lose this. Presume 10 minutes to off-load and 12 minutes to the departure gate and your flight will be in the general boarding phase. I would not plan on having any time for anything.
Better to get to your departure gate, assess the situation and then grab something if there is time.
Better to get to your departure gate, assess the situation and then grab something if there is time.
I haven't been on a plane in 14 months (I did go out and see off an elderly relative/visit the Amex lounge last month on the C concourse) but have they already added "D" gates? And on the C concourse?
May 15, 2021, 7:41 pm
#454
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
Need some advice from those a lot more familiar with DEN than I am since it's been over a decade since I last connected there. I'm scheduled to fly from my hometown, Sioux City (yes, I've heard all the jokes about our airport code) to Phoenix via Denver next week. My chariot to DEN is scheduled to arrive at 11:45 am and my flight to PHX was scheduled to depart at 12:53 pm but got pushed forward 10 minutes to 12:43 recently. I know the B concourse is huge but going from the high B gates to the 30s where the flight to PHX has been departing looked about like doing the high G to high K/L dash at ORD. Not fun but doable especially with DEN having moving walkways. However today I noticed something that is making me question this connection. For the last week or so since the flight from here to Denver changed times it seems to land at either B5x which would be great or A7x/8x which would be a disaster. I have also noticed the flight has arrived at the gate consistently 20-30 minutes early which would make for a much easier connection especially with an A gate arrival. I looked at options for later flights and about the only ones that worked unless I want to downgrade from F to Y (yeah no) is an 8 pm from Denver or a complete reroute via ORD. Both flights would put me in Phoenix about 9:45pm local time which is kind of annoying.
I guess my question is this: Is the connection in Denver doable or should I just hedge my bet, pay the fare difference, and reroute though ORD and have about the same connection (1:05) but in an airport that I'm unfortunately all too familiar with? Rerouting through ORD is about $100 more than taking the later flight out of Denver but if both flights are going to get me there at almost the exact same time I'd rather spend 6 hours at home and be comfortable than sit in an airport. Flying via ORD also means only an hour on the torture tube instead of 90 minutes. I really dislike flying an hour in the wrong direction of my destination but at least I'll be in F for that leg of the trip. ARGH decisions!
I guess my question is this: Is the connection in Denver doable or should I just hedge my bet, pay the fare difference, and reroute though ORD and have about the same connection (1:05) but in an airport that I'm unfortunately all too familiar with? Rerouting through ORD is about $100 more than taking the later flight out of Denver but if both flights are going to get me there at almost the exact same time I'd rather spend 6 hours at home and be comfortable than sit in an airport. Flying via ORD also means only an hour on the torture tube instead of 90 minutes. I really dislike flying an hour in the wrong direction of my destination but at least I'll be in F for that leg of the trip. ARGH decisions!
May 15, 2021, 8:07 pm
#455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,119
Need some advice from those a lot more familiar with DEN than I am since it's been over a decade since I last connected there. I'm scheduled to fly from my hometown, Sioux City (yes, I've heard all the jokes about our airport code) to Phoenix via Denver next week. My chariot to DEN is scheduled to arrive at 11:45 am and my flight to PHX was scheduled to depart at 12:53 pm but got pushed forward 10 minutes to 12:43 recently. I know the B concourse is huge but going from the high B gates to the 30s where the flight to PHX has been departing looked about like doing the high G to high K/L dash at ORD. Not fun but doable especially with DEN having moving walkways. However today I noticed something that is making me question this connection. For the last week or so since the flight from here to Denver changed times it seems to land at either B5x which would be great or A7x/8x which would be a disaster. I have also noticed the flight has arrived at the gate consistently 20-30 minutes early which would make for a much easier connection especially with an A gate arrival. I looked at options for later flights and about the only ones that worked unless I want to downgrade from F to Y (yeah no) is an 8 pm from Denver or a complete reroute via ORD. Both flights would put me in Phoenix about 9:45pm local time which is kind of annoying.
I guess my question is this: Is the connection in Denver doable or should I just hedge my bet, pay the fare difference, and reroute though ORD and have about the same connection (1:05) but in an airport that I'm unfortunately all too familiar with? Rerouting through ORD is about $100 more than taking the later flight out of Denver but if both flights are going to get me there at almost the exact same time I'd rather spend 6 hours at home and be comfortable than sit in an airport. Flying via ORD also means only an hour on the torture tube instead of 90 minutes. I really dislike flying an hour in the wrong direction of my destination but at least I'll be in F for that leg of the trip. ARGH decisions!
I guess my question is this: Is the connection in Denver doable or should I just hedge my bet, pay the fare difference, and reroute though ORD and have about the same connection (1:05) but in an airport that I'm unfortunately all too familiar with? Rerouting through ORD is about $100 more than taking the later flight out of Denver but if both flights are going to get me there at almost the exact same time I'd rather spend 6 hours at home and be comfortable than sit in an airport. Flying via ORD also means only an hour on the torture tube instead of 90 minutes. I really dislike flying an hour in the wrong direction of my destination but at least I'll be in F for that leg of the trip. ARGH decisions!
May 16, 2021, 9:50 am
#456
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,754
Assuming you're an able bodied individual, you'll be able to make this connection without any real issues. I would limit any planned pit stops for food/drink at DEN and only use the facilities if absolutely necessary.
May 16, 2021, 10:34 pm
#457
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
Thanks for the replies. I don't know why this trip has me on edge. It's not like I'm an inexperienced traveler. Heck in the spring of 2019 I went to Europe for the first time as a birthday present to myself for 3 weeks and had no such edginess. Maybe it's because since then I've had 8 trips ranging from the final planning stages to three actually being booked end up being canceled and I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Might be because I haven't connected in DEN since 2006(!) so it's essentially a new airport to me (then again so was LHR, LIS, taking Eurostar from London to Paris and taking other trains in France that I somehow survived). Anyhow I've ruled out ORD because when I first looked I thought it said 2 hours and when I double checked the times right before posting I caught my error but decided to leave it as an option. I see today's flight left about 20 minutes late but still arrived early albeit at A76. I'm just going to roll with it and if I miss the connection United will have to get me to Phoenix somehow -- hopefully in F and not in a middle seat in the back of the bus!
I do have one more question I forgot to ask before. How common are water bottle filling stations in DEN? I always carry granola bars or something similar to eat on the plane but I'll probably need to top off my water bottle since I doubt there will be much of a beverage service during the flight.
Thanks again for the advice and man I can't wait to be traveling again!
I do have one more question I forgot to ask before. How common are water bottle filling stations in DEN? I always carry granola bars or something similar to eat on the plane but I'll probably need to top off my water bottle since I doubt there will be much of a beverage service during the flight.
Thanks again for the advice and man I can't wait to be traveling again!
May 17, 2021, 8:19 pm
#458
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,754
I do have one more question I forgot to ask before. How common are water bottle filling stations in DEN? I always carry granola bars or something similar to eat on the plane but I'll probably need to top off my water bottle since I doubt there will be much of a beverage service during the flight.
Water FOUNTAINS are currently turned off, but water filling stations like the one in the post above, are operational.
Sep 3, 2021, 4:51 pm
#459
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sarasota FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 404
60 min connection time in DEN: Gate A81 to B19
This itinerary has a one hour connection time, which I thought would be plenty. Now I see that the arriving flight comes in at A81 and my departing flight to YYC is at B19. This allows me 30 min to boarding time. Should I be worried? The fact that the second flight goes to Canada has me a bit worried, perhaps having to show negative COVID test card. I will have the ArriveCAN app completed of course.
Sep 3, 2021, 4:56 pm
#460
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Sep 30, 2021, 11:50 am
#463
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,943
Sep 30, 2021, 12:52 pm
#464
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,527
Transcon with Delta and American. I had an amazing experience on AA's MIA->LAX in 1Q of this year, no noticeable Covid reduction in services. Looking forward to more of the same.
Sep 30, 2021, 2:33 pm
#465
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,037
if there’s a Shake Shack at DEN, I’m connecting there more often. After my first Smoke Shack at Penn Station, every other burger in the world are also-rans. A convenient Shake Shack is (another) advantage of UA at EWR to NYC (vs JFK) - Too bad NJT and LIRR can’t swap tracks at Penn to make it even easier 