Denver International Airport (DEN) is structured around a centralized main terminal, the iconic Jeppesen Terminal, and three distinct airside gate buildings: Concourse A, Concourse B, and Concourse C. Understanding how these separate concourses are layout-configured and interconnected via the airside underground train is the key to smooth transfers and stress-free navigation through one of the continent's largest airport footprints.

Whether you are connecting between domestic flights, arriving on an international route, or embarking on a long layover, this guide provides an in-depth operational breakdown of Denver Airport’s terminals, inter-concourse transit methods, walking routes, and gate amenities.

Denver International Airport (DEN) Terminal Overview
Main Landside Building Jeppesen Terminal (Ticketing, Baggage Claim, Security Checkpoints, Ground Transportation Access)
Airside Concourses 3 Independent Gate Concourses: Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C
Inter-Concourse Transit Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) Underground Train & Pedestrian Bridge (Terminal to Concourse A)
International Arrivals Exclusively processed at Concourse A (Federal Inspection Station / U.S. Customs)
Are Concourses Connected Airside? Yes, via the free AGTS train operating post-security without needing to re-clear TSA.

Terminal Navigation Quick Summary

Jeppesen Terminal handles all ticketing and landside security, but contains no passenger flight departure gates. All departing flights board from Concourses A, B, or C. Once through TSA security in Jeppesen Terminal, take the underground Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) train to reach Concourses A (3 mins), B (4 mins), or C (5 mins). Passengers departing from Concourse A also have the option to use the elevated landside-to-airside pedestrian bridge.

Jeppesen Terminal: The Central Landside Hub

Jeppesen Terminal serves as the processing heart of DEN. It is divided into two operational halves East Terminal and West Terminal which correspond to specific airline ticketing desks, baggage claim carousels, and garage parking areas.

  • Level 6 (Departures & Check-In): Airline ticketing desks, passenger curbside drop-off, and bag drop.
  • Level 5 (Arrivals & Baggage Claim): Domestic baggage claim belts (Carousels 1–9 on East, 10–19 on West) and TSA Security Checkpoints.
  • Level 4 (Transit & Parking Connections): Access platforms for ground transport and terminal exit routes.

Detailed Concourse Breakdown: Concourses A, B, and C

Once security is cleared in Jeppesen Terminal, passengers proceed to one of three linear gate buildings running parallel to each other.

Concourse Zone Primary Airline Operators Gate Range Key Terminal Features & VIP Lounges
Concourse A Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines (select), International Carriers (Lufthansa, British Airways, Air Canada, Volaris, WestJet, Air France, Icelandair) Gates A26 – A87 Houses U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Capital One Lounge, Delta Sky Club, USO Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge access. Connected by direct walking bridge to Jeppesen Terminal.
Concourse B United Airlines (Primary Hub Operations) Gates B11 – B95 The largest concourse at DEN, housing extensive United Airlines facilities. Features multiple United Club Lounges, American Express Centurion Lounge, and extensive central dining halls.
Concourse C Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines Gates C23 – C67 Major operations base for Southwest. Houses American Airlines Admirals Club, expanded gate seating areas, and quick-service retail plazas.

Inter-Concourse Transit: Getting Between Buildings

Moving between Jeppesen Terminal and Concourses A, B, and C is designed for fast airside movement without exiting the secure zone during flight transfers.

AGTS Underground Train System

The primary method of transit inside DEN is the free Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) underground train running continuously post-security.

  • Frequency: Departs every 1 to 3 minutes, 24/7.
  • Jeppesen Terminal to Concourse A: ~3 minutes
  • Jeppesen Terminal to Concourse B: ~4 minutes
  • Jeppesen Terminal to Concourse C: ~5 minutes

Concourse A Passenger Bridge

An elevated glass-walled walkway connecting the north end of Jeppesen Terminal directly to the mezzanine level of Concourse A.

  • Access: Available to all ticketed passengers after clearing the Bridge Security Checkpoint.
  • Walking Time: Approximately 5 to 8 minutes on moving walkways.
  • Note: Concourses B and C cannot be reached via bridge; AGTS train transfer is mandatory for B and C.

Step-by-Step Inter-Concourse Connection Guide

If you are connecting between flights at DEN, you do not need to pass back through landside security unless arriving on an international flight without pre-clearance.

Connecting Between Gates (Domestic Transfers)

Step 1

Deplane into Airside Concourse

Exit your aircraft into the main concourse corridor (A, B, or C).

Step 2

Locate Center Core Escalators

Follow signage to the concourse center core where the underground AGTS train station escalators are located.

Step 3

Take Underground AGTS Train

Board the train to your destination concourse. No TSA security re-screening is needed.

Step 4

Ascend to Gate Level

Exit the train, take the escalators up to the gate floor, and proceed to your boarding gate.

Transfer Time Guidelines

Connection Scenario Security Re-Screening Required? Estimated Minimum Connection Time
Same Concourse Transfer (e.g., Concourse B to B) No 25 to 35 minutes (pure walking time)
Different Concourse Transfer (e.g., Concourse A to C) No (via AGTS Train) 35 to 50 minutes
International Arrival to Domestic Flight Connection Yes (Deplane at Concourse A, clear U.S. Customs, re-check bags, re-clear TSA security) 90 to 120 minutes

Key Navigation Takeaways

Jeppesen Terminal handles ticketing and security, but contains zero departure gates.
Automated AGTS underground train connects Concourses A, B, and C post-security in 3 to 5 minutes.
Concourse A is the only concourse accessible via both AGTS train and pedestrian walking bridge.
Concourse B is the largest gate building, dedicated predominantly to United Airlines hub flights.
All international arrivals process through customs clearance located inside Concourse A.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can walk between Jeppesen Terminal and Concourse A via the pedestrian bridge. However, you cannot walk between Concourse A, Concourse B, or Concourse C airside. Inter-concourse transfers require riding the free AGTS underground train.

The AGTS train takes approximately 3 minutes from Jeppesen Terminal to Concourse A, 4 minutes to Concourse B, and 5 minutes to Concourse C. Trains run every 1 to 3 minutes continuously.

No. For domestic connections, as long as you stay within the secure gate concourses and use the AGTS train, you remain inside the secure zone and do not go through security again.

All non-precleared international flights arrive at Concourse A. Passengers process through the Federal Inspection Station (Customs and Border Protection) located on the lower level of Concourse A.

No. Jeppesen Terminal houses landside functions such as ticketing, security checkpoints, and baggage claim. All boarding gates are situated exclusively in Concourses A, B, and C.

VIP lounges are distributed across all three concourses. Concourse A features the Capital One Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and Plaza Premium Lounge; Concourse B hosts multiple United Club locations and the American Express Centurion Lounge; and Concourse C includes the American Airlines Admirals Club.

While there are no transit hotels directly inside the secure airside gate area, the Westin Denver International Airport hotel is located immediately adjacent to Jeppesen Terminal (landside), accessible in under 5 minutes from the central security checkpoints.

It is recommended to arrive at Jeppesen Terminal 2 hours prior to scheduled domestic departures and 3 hours prior to international departures to allow sufficient time for bag drop, TSA security clearance, and the AGTS train ride to your gate concourse.

Baggage claim is centralized on Level 5 of Jeppesen Terminal. Domestic carousels 1 through 9 are located on the East Terminal side, while carousels 10 through 19 are on the West Terminal side. International baggage is collected inside the Concourse A customs area before exiting to Jeppesen Terminal.

The AGTS underground train system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, continuously shuttling passengers between Jeppesen Terminal and Concourses A, B, and C with train arrivals every few minutes.