Overview:
Denver International Airport (DEN) is undergoing renovations to meet increased travel demand in the coming years.
The Great Hall Program at Denver International Airport is entering its final phase of construction. So far, both East and West security checkpoints are fully operational, and the bridge on the North side of the terminal is open and completely renovated. Now the completion phase is underway.
“I think this (renovation) is necessary because of how many people have moved here in the last five years,” said Zach Hupp, a Broomfield resident and a frequent DEN traveler. “Without these upgrades, I’m sure we would’ve seen problems arise within the next few years, just (with) the amount of people here.”
Because of those renovations, flying through Denver International Airport is already starting to feel different. On Aug. 5, DEN unveiled its new 17-lane east security checkpoint on the 6th level of the Jeppesen Terminal—the latest milestone in its $2.1 billion Great Hall Program. The opening marks the completion of the second of three major phases designed to reshape the passenger experience.
The Great Hall Program’s overall goal is “to address today’s aviation needs,” said DEN’s media team. “The airport is more than 30 years old and is not only in need of an upgrade but expanding its infrastructure to handle future growth.”
In 2023, more than 82 million travelers passed through its terminals, and that number is only expected to climb. DEN is preparing for 100 million passengers in the coming years and up to 120 million-plus passengers by 2045. To keep pace, the airport is in the middle of a $2.1 billion renovation that will completely transform how passengers move through the airport.
“[The Great Hall Project] is just one of DEN’s capital improvement projects that will help the airport prepare for the future by enhancing security, improving operational efficiency and increasing capacity of the Jeppesen Terminal,” the DEN media team said. “All these contributing components help with DEN’s overarching goal of improving the passenger experience.”
By the time the project wraps up in 2027, the Jeppesen Terminal will look entirely different. Two new 17-lane security checkpoints—one on the east and one on the west side of Level 6—will anchor the redesign. On Level 5, three new spaces will reimagine how passengers move through and experience the terminal.
At the north end, the “Global Gateway” will provide a dedicated area for international arrivals to reconnect through a smaller checkpoint. In the center, the “Welcome Home Colorado” space will serve as a gathering spot where travelers reunite with friends and family after riding the train from the gates. And on the south end, the “Living Room” will replace the old security checkpoint with new seating and dining options for passengers.
“The completion phase includes continuing renovation to the airline check-in facilities on the south end of Level 6, creating a new meet/greet area for domestic and international arrivals and finishing construction for the Center for Equity and Excellence in Aviation,” the DEN media team said.
What do travelers think of the upgrades?
Franco Ruscitti, a Colorado native, says the new look and security checkpoints at the Jeppesen Terminal are making traveling more efficient.
“The new security setup honestly felt way easier and quicker than before,” Ruscitti said. “The line actually moved at a steady pace instead of that stop-and-go drag we’re used to. The whole checkpoint felt more organized, like they’ve streamlined the flow so people aren’t all bunched up.”
Ruscitti adds that the whole process of getting to the gates is easier. “Overall, it just feels smoother now,” he said. “The security checkpoint especially flows better and doesn’t drag as much, and getting around with the train and gates feels more organized. [The renovations] definitely makes the whole travel process easier and less stressful.”
For employees who begin their shifts at these security checkpoints, the impact has been minimal. Ricardo Sanchez, a bartender at Que Bueno in concourse B for five years, has been passing through the new security checkpoint since it opened, and he claims that, while it may benefit travelers, it has no impact on how quickly he gets to work as an employee.
“The location of the new security makes it so that I walk about five more minutes to get to it,” Sanchez said. “Walking through does look better in a way. I think this will help make traveling easier and efficient, but not make it easier for me to get to work.”
Sanchez believes the airport’s new security checkpoint will handle increased passenger traffic but admits it takes longer to reach work. He claims that he must wait in line with the rest of the passengers, which makes the process take longer.
“They could’ve given us, the employees, our own lane like we had before. Now we are all mixed with the travelers who, for the most part, delay the line by not knowing ahead of time the proper airport etiquette,” Sanchez said. “Most people put up a fight when asked to do all of these things, when we as employees are ready to get through the line altogether.”
Are the upgrades making travel faster?
Though the experience for workers is longer, one question remains: are these upgrades, so far, meeting the standards they promised for passengers? DEN’s media team states that the West Security checkpoint is faster compared to the old security checkpoint, but it is too early to say how the East Security checkpoint is running.
“Since August 1, the average standard wait time at West [Security] is just more than three minutes,” the DEN media team said. “We do not have good data for East yet, as the system is still calibrating. For comparison to just prior to West’s opening in February of 2024, the average wait time during the fourth quarter of 2023 was seven minutes at the south checkpoint, five minutes at the north checkpoint, and just under nine minutes at the A-Bridge checkpoint.”
The airport adds that they are doing everything they can to improve or adapt to the passenger overload in order to keep the lines moving quickly and efficiently, as well as installing new equipment in the TSA lines to help smooth the process.
“Enhancements to screening equipment, dynamic signage and queueing systems have been performing very well,” DEN’s media team said. “While we typically experience longer queueing lines for both checkpoints on some mornings during peak hours (8 a.m. and 10 a.m.) due to high volumes of passengers, we’ve noted improvements in continuous flow throughout the day. The DEN Total Queue Management (TQM) and wayfinding volunteers continue to direct passengers to the checkpoint with the shortest lines with the goal of keeping the checkpoints balanced.”
Ilyn Brown, a South Carolina native, was on vacation in Denver visiting friends when she encountered a long line wrapped around the east security checkpoint to get to her gate on an early Monday morning.
“It’s a little overwhelming,” Brown said. “As long as the times are short, that would be great, but you know, seeing a line this long, it’s a little baffling.”
While Brown was speaking, the line began to move quickly, and she was able to arrive at her gate and board her flight on time.
“It’s been about five years since the last time I traveled through here, so I can’t recall what it used to look like, but I just don’t remember waiting in a line like this,” Brown said. “But it seems like it’s moving, so that’s good.”
Even though the lines are long and now regularly wrap around the 6th level, the new security equipment and setup are helping to accommodate an increasing number of passengers passing through DIA every day, making it faster for them.
“[This new security] is way more organized,” said Karina Medrano, a Mile High native, after passing through the West security checkpoint on her way to vacation in Puerto Rico. “You just jump into line and place your suitcase/backpack on the rollers and then leave once you’re all set. It is very minimalistic. I am excited; I travel a lot, so I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product. I do think the renovations will be better than the old look.”
