Gallery: Denver International Airport opens Phase 1 of Great Hall Project

Ribbon cutting of Phase 1 of DEN’s Great Hall Project on Oct. 27. Dignitaries included DEN CEO Phil Washington, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, and airport partners from the FAA, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Hensel Phelps Construction Company.

The completion of Phase 1 brings many features and benefits for passengers, including an additional 31,000 sq. ft. of space for Jeppesen Terminal, as well as 158,500 sq. ft. of newly renovated space.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said the improvements in the first phase “are just the beginning of a major transition of the Jeppesen Terminal that will ultimately prepare DEN for the future. This investment will ensure that the airport continues to be an economic powerhouse for our region, creating jobs and business opportunities, while helping Denver expand its global reach.”

Other improvements in Phase 1 include new ticketing areas in the center of Level 6 with more efficient and state-of-the-art processes for checking in passengers and luggage flying United, Southwest, and eventually Frontier Airlines. The upgraded ticketing areas include ticketing kiosks for check-in and 86 (43 on each side) automated self-bag-drop units to streamline the check-in process.

DEN CEO Phil Washington said, “Since hiring Hensel Phelps [Construction Company], we have met every milestone and are on schedule and under budget. This first phase was most impactful as we were working in the center of the terminal. These walls are now coming down, making it much easier for passengers to navigate the terminal, just in time for the busy holiday travel season.”

The new ticketing and check-in spaces are scheduled to open on Nov. 4 for Southwest Airlines and Nov. 10 for United Airlines. The new ticketing pods will create efficiencies for passengers who will be able to check-in and drop their bags using self-guided units.

United Airlines VP-airport operations in Denver Matt Miller said, “United’s new lobby will make a great first impression for our Denver customers, and will be representative of the enhanced experience they have come to expect from United. As our airline continues to grow and we work hard to remain Denver’s leading airline, we look forward to our continued partnership and collaboration with Denver International Airport as they make progress in the future phases of the Great Hall project.”

“Our Mile High Heart is beaming with pride as we usher in new technology that brings a more seamless travel experience to our Denver customers,” said Paul Cullen, Southwest Airlines’ VP-real estate. “As we continue investing in the future, we’re thrilled to see the opening of the first phase of the Great Hall project and look forward to continuing working together to bring the overall vision to completion in the near future.”

In addition to opening the new ticketing areas on each side of the terminal, the walls in the center of the terminal on Level 5 will be removed by Nov. 1, allowing passengers to traverse from north to south in the without detours. The remaining walls in the center of Level 6 will be removed by Nov. 4 on the east side and Nov. 10 on the west side, which will also allow passengers to walk from north to south and access all areas of the curb outside of Level 6.