At DEN, you are in charge of making your check-in experience quick and hassle-free. You will take care of your flight documents ahead of time, confirm your seat selection, and finally check in through online or automated systems within the airport. Once you’ve completed the above steps, you will be able to move to the security check on Level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal.
This page provides information about your check-in options, security screenings, and other details regarding check-in procedures at Denver International Airport.
DEN Check-In Options – An Overview
The earliest check-in time available at DEN is usually 24 hours before the flight departure time for all flights that depart from Denver International Airport. Below are the various options passengers have when checking into their flights at DEN.
Online/Smartphone Check-In: This process is the quickest way to make the check-in process as smooth as possible. You can use an airline’s official website or smartphone application to check in and select your seat before printing a boarding pass or downloading one onto your phone.
Kiosks for Check-In at DEN: Kiosks are found in various places within the Jeppesen Terminal and provide you with the opportunity to check in, choose or modify your seats, print your boarding passes and bag tags; a convenient alternative, especially if you like to interact more personally and not wait in the full-service counter queue.
Airline Ticket Counters: These can be found on level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal, catering specifically to the three biggest airlines at DEN, which include United Airlines (terminal west), Southwest Airlines (terminal east), and Frontier Airlines (terminal east).
Check-In Areas at DEN Airport for Airlines
DEN Airport comprises the Jeppesen Terminal as well as concourses A, B, and C. The Jeppesen Terminal will house all the areas used for check-in procedures, security checks, customs and immigration, and baggage reclaiming services, while the departure gates will be housed in the concourses.
DEN is one of the main hubs for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, serving as home base for 27+ different airlines, flying non-stop to more than 234 destinations. Below is the organization of the airlines within the airport:
Jeppesen Terminal – Level 6 (Departures): Level 6 is designed for departure services where airline counters and security checks will be found. There are two sides in the terminal – the east side and the west side. United, Southwest, and Frontier Airlines are located on the east side of the terminal, whereas American and Delta are located on the west side of the terminal.
Concourse A: There are 39 gates located at Concourse A that can be reached via pedestrian bridges, having a clear view of aircraft movements or through an underground train called AGTS or Automatic Guideway Transit System. Concourse A is mainly used by United Airlines and also by some other airlines operating on domestic flights and international flights.
Concourse B: The trains of the entire system run through Concourse B; thus, Concourse B acts as the center of the airport’s train service. This concourse is mainly utilized by the domestic airlines, and this is where most connecting passengers usually transit.
Concourse C: Concourse C is used mainly by Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines for their domestic flights. Each airline uses each concourse for its domestic flights, and thus the identification of the concourse for departure is quite easy.
From Level 6, passengers can board the free AGTS train to access Concourses B and C. The train is provided every two minutes, and the journey lasts approximately six minutes.
How do you clear security at DEN?
After obtaining your boarding pass and checking in your baggage, you will need to go through TSA security on Level 6. To give yourself enough time to clear security, DEN advises arriving two hours prior to your scheduled flight. The security line waiting times are updated hourly and can be accessed on the official website of DEN (flydenver.com/security).
Waiting times at the security checkpoints in Denver International Airport are estimated at 5-30 minutes. The two primary security checkpoints within the main Jeppesen Terminal include East and West Security, and both are based on Level 6.
West Security Checkpoint: Situated on Level 6 at the United Airlines check-in counters, it can be easily accessed by travelers dropped off at the doors 606-600. For travelers seeking access to TSA PreCheck/CLEAR, doors 602 and 600 will be most convenient. This checkpoint operates daily from 4:00 AM to 7:30 PM and features 17 lanes.
East Security Checkpoint: The East Security Checkpoint, situated on Level 6, opened on August 5, 2025, with 17 lanes. It is a replica of the West Security Checkpoint. It is situated at the northeast end close to the Southwest Airlines check-in counters, and it has state-of-the-art security measures such as facial recognition (optional) and an automated baggage handling system. Both checkpoints function from 3:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
As both security checkpoints now serve the same number of people, the travelers can check wait time on flydenver.com/security and choose which side has less queue.
Quick Pass Programs
TSA PreCheck®
The TSA PreCheck security screening lines are located at both the East Security and West Security checkpoints on Level 6. The data needed to get TSA PreCheck clearance is encoded within a barcode on your boarding pass. Members can keep their shoes, light jacket, and belt on, along with any laptops and liquid contents in their carry-on bag. TSA PreCheck is perfect for those travelers who fly frequently and families.
CLEAR
The CLEAR lane uses biometric scanning techniques like fingerprinting or iris scans to authenticate the identity of the traveler. CLEAR lanes are available at both East and West Security checkpoints on Level 6. A traveler can go directly to security screening without joining the regular queue. It’s better for travelers who have also enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, as they’ll be able to skip the identification process before going through PreCheck security screening.
Global Entry
Members of Global Entry are screened through biometric identification within five minutes at kiosks at DEN Airport, thus making this membership program ideal for those who frequently travel internationally. The Global Entry application center at DEN Airport is situated on level 5 of the Jeppesen Terminal, which is located near the international arrivals area at the north side of the terminal building. Being a member of Global Entry gives you the TSA PreCheck benefits for free.
DEN Reserve
DEN Reserve is a complimentary service enabling all passengers to book a designated time window for themselves at one of the security checkpoints. This facility is only available at West Security Checkpoint from 5:00 AM until 5:00 PM on days when the flight time is scheduled between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Passengers can book their security clearance session up to 14 days ahead of their travel date.
Tips to Remember During Standard Security Screening Process
If you’re screening yourself through a regular lane, here’s what you need to know:
Documents: Make sure that you have a valid photo ID that is also compliant with REAL ID requirements. From May 7, 2025, onwards, a valid REAL ID will be required by all U.S. citizens in order to board a flight in the USA.
Liquids: Pack liquids according to the 3-1-1 rule – each container should not exceed 3.4 ounces (100ml).
Electronics: If you are traveling with electronic devices such as a laptop and tablet computer, take them out of the bag and place them on a separate tray (unless you are a TSA PreCheck member).
Personal Belongings: Make sure that you remove any shoes, belts, and jackets from your person.
Gifts & Food: Unwrap any gifts to help TSA officers inspect if necessary.
Conclusion
DEN’s check-in process becomes easier when you understand the layout and plan. With one central Jeppesen Terminal and three concourses — A, B, and C — the airport is logically organized and straightforward to navigate. Checking in online or via mobile cuts down time at the airport, while kiosks and counters provide flexibility for every type of traveler.
With TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and DEN Reserve all available at both Level 6 security checkpoints, every passenger has multiple fast-track options regardless of which side of the terminal they are departing from. Whether you are a frequent flyer rushing for a business trip or a family preparing for a vacation, knowing your terminal, check-in options, and security programs makes the Denver airport experience efficient and predictable
FAQs
According to DEN airport recommendations, you should come at least two hours in advance of your departure time for domestic flights and three hours in advance of your departure time for international departures. This will provide sufficient time for your check-in and boarding process.
Security waiting times at DEN Airport usually take between 5 and 30 minutes. However, during the morning rush hours, the waiting line rarely exceeds 24 minutes in length. Members of TSA PreCheck and CLEAR programs experience shorter security waiting times.
DEN Reserve is an appointment system designed for DEN airport security checks, allowing you to choose your time to go through the screening process in advance up to 14 days in advance. It applies only to the West Security Checkpoint and operates between 5:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Moreover, there is a grace period of 15 minutes after you arrive.
DEN is a major connecting airport for airlines like United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. United Airlines mainly flies out of concourses A and B of DEN, whereas Southwest and Frontier Airlines mainly operate from concourse C of DEN. You can always check your gate on your boarding pass before proceeding to your respective concourse.
Yes. You may apply for Global Entry at the DEN terminal at level 5 near the international arrival gate. You may enroll for CLEAR at the security screening point.