Summer Travel Takes Off at Denver International Airport This Memorial Day Weekend

DENVER - May 20, 2026 - The official takeoff to summer is here and Denver International Airport (DEN) is preparing for a busy Memorial Day weekend.

From Thursday, May 21, to Tuesday, May 26, 2026, approximately 437,000 passengers are forecast by the TSA to travel through DEN's security checkpoints, a 2.2% decrease from the same travel period in 2025. DEN estimates the busiest days of travel will be Thursday, May 21; Friday, May 22 and Monday, May 25, when there could be more than 80,000 passengers per day passing through security.

Passengers are encouraged to check TSA security wait times at FlyDenver.com/security and to arrive inside the airport at least two hours before their boarding time to ensure they have plenty of time to check bags, travel through security and arrive at their gate. Security wait times can change quickly and there is the potential for longer lines, especially during peak times, which are 3 to 4:30 a.m., 8 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.

Here are additional travel tips for passengers traveling through DEN during the Memorial Day travel rush:

Airline counters serving DEN's largest carriers - United Airlines (Terminal West), Southwest Airlines (Terminal East) and Frontier Airlines (Terminal East) - are located on Level 6. All other airlines are in a temporary configuration located in the center of Level 5 through mid-2027.

Before You Leave for the Airport

• Check with your airline to confirm your flight status at FlyDenver.com/arrivals and check in online if possible.
• Check real-time parking availability at www.FlyDenver.com/parking_transit/parking.
• Check real-time TSA security wait times at FlyDenver.com/security.

TSA

The East and West Checkpoints are mirror images of each other, with nearly identical lanes on each side. Passengers who don't need to check a bag or visit an airline counter upon arrival can be conveniently dropped off at specific doors on Level 6 (East or West) and immediately access the security checkpoints.

If you are being dropped off on Level 6 West, look for doors 606-600, with TSA PreCheck access closest to doors 602 and 600. If you are being dropped off on Level 6 East look for doors 601-605 with TSA PreCheck closest to door 601 and 603.

West Security is open from 3 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the next morning) and East Security is open from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. East Security TSA Precheck is open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. and West Security TSA Precheck is open from 4 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. every day of the week.

• East/ West Security 1: This entrance is for standard screening passengers, which makes up the majority of DEN passengers.
• East/ West Security 2: This entrance is for Restricted Access, which consists of various groups including:
  • Premium/ Premier Access
  • Accessibility and Functional Needs
  • Military Personnel
  • DEN Reserve (West Only) - This is a free service that allows all passengers to reserve a dedicated time slot through DEN's West Security Checkpoint. Passengers with reservations can find their entry point at West Security 2 (near Door 606). Reservations are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• East/ West Security 3: This entrance is for CLEAR and TSA PreCheck passengers

Passengers may sign up for expedited screening programs available at DEN checkpoints. Learn more about DEN Reserve, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.

DEN's A Bridge offers a convenient route to Concourse A from the security checkpoints.

TSA offers these tips for all flyers as they plan upcoming travel:

• Have a valid ID: Bring your REAL ID, passport or other acceptable form of identification and have it out to show the TSA officer at the checkpoint entrance. Effective February 1, 2026, passengers without a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification will need to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized identity verification system, TSA ConfirmID, to establish identity at security checkpoints.

Travelers with disabilities or medical conditions may contact TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 to request assistance while at the TSA checkpoint. For general information, visit TSA.gov.

Travelers uncertain about a specific item can use the free "What Can I Bring?" tool on the MyTSA app.

Parking

The Pikes Peak Lot will remain open until full, at which point the Longs Peak Lot will open and remain open until full.

In the event both shuttle lots are full, DEN encourages passengers to look at the DEN terminal parking lots or non-DEN parking locations. DEN Parking Management will continually observe available space and will re-open a full lot at the appropriate time.

Shuttle service will remain available in all lots. DEN now offers the Passio Go app, where passengers can view shuttle statuses and expected time of arrival in real-time. View DEN's Passio Go status page.

Please check FlyDenver.com/parking-and-transportation/parking-lots/ for the most up-to-date information for DEN parking lot availability. Please check the signage when approaching the airport for up-to-date parking availability.

Premium Reserve Parking: For those not wanting to hassle with finding a parking spot, Premium Reserve Parking offers a reserved spot as early as 90 days in advance or as soon as five minutes in advance, depending on parking area capacity. Book early as this parking can fill up.

Reservations cost $45 a day with a one-time $5 service fee per reservation. Premium Reserve is conveniently located at Arrivals, on Level 4 East and West. Visit the reservation page.

Transit

Parking lots at DEN tend to fill up quickly during busy travel periods. Consider taking the RTD A Line to DEN. View the A Line schedule and view more information on all the public transportation options offered at DEN

Meet & Assist

Airport Butler can provide meet-and-assist services to help travelers navigate DEN efficiently and with ease at any stage of their journey, including domestic arrivals, departures and connections. Personal assistants can meet customers at a predetermined location, provide check-in and luggage assistance, help navigate TSA security checkpoints or customs and immigration, and help determine the best ground transportation options for travelers' journeys beyond DEN.

In addition to their meet-and-assist services at DEN, Airport Butler offers personalized services including car service reservation, lounge access and other customized options to fit travelers' unique needs while waiting at the gate.

Travelers needing extra assistance can click here to make a reservation.

Picking up Passengers

• Check with your friend or family member's airline or visit FlyDenver.com/arrivals to confirm that the flight is on time before heading to the airport.
• It's recommended that those picking up travelers wait for their call at Final Approach, the airport's cell phone waiting lot, until they are ready to be picked up. Final Approach is located approximately three miles west of Jeppesen Terminal. It can be easily accessed via eastbound Peña Boulevard to 75th Avenue and northbound Gun Club Road; westbound Peña Boulevard to Wenatchee Street; or from East 78th Avenue. Signs are posted along all access routes.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

DEN has a variety of new food, beverage, and retail options for passengers to enjoy, after a record-breaking year of new concession openings in 2025, totaling 30 new concessions. The most recent additions include the new Food Court on Concourse A, comprised of Chick-Fil-A, Shake Shack, Qdoba and Fat Sully's Pizza, and Colorado's first Taco Bell Cantina on Concourse A; Denver Street Eats, Einstein Bros Bagels, Mile High Spirits, Mile High Game Day and A Shaving Grace Hairport on Concourse B; and Bjorn's Colorado Honey on Concourse C. Check out all other amazing offerings at DEN.

Parents looking for areas for their little ones to burn off some steam can visit DEN's newest play area, now open near Gate A25. DEN's first alien-themed play area is located near Gate C48.

Park on the Plaza will once again become a summer outdoor oasis from May 22 to Sept. 30. Throughout the summer, visitors can play cornhole, relax on lounge seating and grass-like turf or kick up their feet and enjoy a variety of events. The 82,000 square-foot open-air plaza is located pre-security between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel. View the full list of events.

DEN Customer Service

Have a question about traveling through DEN? Passengers can reach out to DEN's customer service team by calling 720-730-IFLY (720-730-4359). Text us your questions at 720-902-9351. Passengers can also click the "Chat with an Agent" button on FlyDenver.com to connect with one of our DEN Live Agents via chat between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

DEN Lost and Found

Lost an item while traveling through DEN? The airport's lost and found only receives items lost in public areas of the airport. To file a claim, or learn more, visit FlyDenver.com/ at-the-airport/services-and-amenities/lost-and-found/.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN's monthly newsletter Nonstop News.