Why United Airlines Invested $1 Billion In Denver Airport
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ม.ค. 2024
- While airline stocks have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, passengers have returned in record breaking numbers.
2023 was Denver International airport’s busiest year on record, with an estimated 78 million passengers for the year.
The airport, which opened in 1995, was originally built to handle 50 million passengers per year, but now that number is expected to reach over 100 million per year by 2027, according to DIA estimates. OAG, a global travel data provider, said Denver went from the 21st busiest airport in the world in 2019 to the 6th in 2023.
United Airlines is Denver’s biggest operator with 46.7% market share, followed by Southwest 30.7% and Frontier 9.7%.
The mid-continent airport has become the United’s busiest hub. It recently invested nearly $1 billion in Denver to add more gates, flights, destinations and opened the largest lounge in its network. The airline wants to grow to 650 flights a day before 2030.
CNBC got a behind the scenes look at United’s Denver operations and explores how the airport and airline plan to keep up with the demand.
Chapters:
1:26 Airport growth
4:09 United Airlines
7:44 The future
Produced, shot and edited by: Erin Black
Animation: Christina Locopo
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt
Editorial Support: Leslie Josephs
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Why United Airlines Invested $1 Billion In Denver Airport
Whoever pushed 30 years ago for an airport outside the city with no limits on size is the real visionary. So many other cities should’ve done the same.
Especially San Diego.
Eh. It works IF there is easy rapid transit to the city. Denver has this, and Chicago does as well. Without it, you get horrible situations like JFK, LGA, Newark, and LAX.
@@BlownMacTruck Rapid transit is a stretch, the A Line is commuter rail which takes 37 minutes from Union Station to DEN, with frequency between 15 and 30 minutes. Driving takes 27 minutes. I still use the A Line as much as possible but it's disappointing that a new transit line opening in 2016 is relatively slow and costs $10.50.
@@Connor_Herman I agree that it's not optimal, but having anything is better than nothing, especially if the airport passenger rate keeps growing; at a certain point it should scale better than driving.
@@joeyGalileoHottoSan Diego is expanding its airport now so that's good.
As an airline pilot based in Denver, I absolutely love this airport. Very easy to taxi around. Predictable taxi’s, runway assignments, approaches. The weather can just be a bit crazy in the summer and winter sometimes.
Not a pilot, I can remember when flights could not take off with maximum load from Stapleton due to the thin summer air.
Predictable runway assignments in Denver? It’s an awesome airport but they swap runways on you more than almost any other airport.
I know it’s the hub for frontier, and it makes it so I can afford to fly for the first time in my life
It has some of the worst bathrooms in the country. Even the “new” terminal has terrible bathrooms. The train is absolutely awful as well since it breaks down and strands everyone. Besides that, it’s alright.
"Damm so nobody's scared of Blucifer? 😂
😂
This seemed more like an infomercial for United Airlines.
Would be the same case for Delta or American if they did a report on ATL or DFW so don't fret.
Info add...
The great thing about DIA is how well-situated it is, providing quick and easy access to the rest of the Intermountain West, the entire Western US and the entire Great Plains region of the Midwest
Of the Big 3’s Intermountain West hubs (along with SLC for Delta and PHX for American), United’s hub at DIA is the most geographically well-situated
Well, if you like gregious TSA lines, horriffic delays due to weather, etc, then DIA is your baby. SLC blows Denver out of the water on all accounts.
@@meddyven For that matter, PHX has even less snow and other cold weather-related troubles than either.
@@meddyven And it's handling a 100 million passengers a year, right? Apples to oranges.
As someone from Denver that is frequently traveling due to work, it's such a convenience. Every destination around the country and canada is a simple 2-4 hour one way flight.
that and they have more hotels to house ppl they screw over overbooking flights
cheers
#usa
@@KhaoticDeterminism Ah yes, the user that had a bad experience and now everything is bad. #usa
@@KhaoticDeterminism nice videos :) go on and keep educating the whole society about gender crap that nobody will care about
I've always found this airport to be a marvel of civil engineering. Yes the airport has had many stones cast particularly at opening but even still..... You'd hear things like "its too far out, its bleeding money, the baggage woes and not so smooth opening, the noise for new housing in the area, access issues etc...." the city has made efforts to address all of these. I think they have shown that an airport doesn't have to be just a huge liability for a municipality but it can actually be an asset. Imagine the economic impact of this facility in fees, taxes, stimulus, commerce etc... The addition of capacity on peña and the hotel, the concourses the A line are great and will allow the airport to continue to meet the needs of the area for years to come. I have often wondered why no smaller alternative airport has ever been floated with the continued growth of the front range another option might be good for those unpredictable scenarios.
I was just at the Denver Airport with an hour long layover. It's a very nice airport, but needs more eateries
Especially the nat socialist imagery
Yes! We had a short layover there and half of our flight all ran to the closest place to grab a bite to eat. It was madness.
Tip from someone who lives in Colorado and flies out of Denver a lot: There are A LOT of restaurants upstairs on Concourse B.
@@barny_the_bigandstrong_din9853 Thanks for the tip!
All the food is located in the center of the concourses on both levels. There’s plenty to eat.
I remember going in and out of there weekly for a couple of months straight. I remember walking to the other end of the terminal to the other to catch a connecting flight and it had to be a good mile long as it took 20 minutes.
Right! Stupid to have it so long! I like how DFW is setup.
Having recently been forced to depart from this airport, i can confirm it is a sh*t show. Thank God I had TSA precheck, the general line was out the door
I went through DIA in 2022 on Southwest Airlines and i really enjoyed connecting through that airport 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿💙💙💙💙💙
Hey Phil, as a long time Denver based employee for THE major carrier, you need to address two things.
1. The lack of an alternate means to get to the B and C terminals needs to be fixed ASAP! The train system has become a joke at times. Don't be like an Ostrich with your head in the sand on this!
2. Start treating all Denver based employees better. You moved the landside lot to the fringe of the airport grounds, and it's horrible. From vehicle break-ins to nowhere to go to the restroom if needed, you have to do better. The airside lot is better, but that where you plan to move the new rental vehicle hub??? Really! Come on Phil - do better.
I don't mind the new lot. No need to constantly circle for a parking spot.
It's only going to get worse, for airport employees. They are taking the current employee lots, for rental car co.'s and pushing you even farther out. I was offered a job at DIA, with a much higher salary, and turned it down.
They were warned about the lack of an alternate to the PeopleMover to Concourses B and C when the project was designed. The ostrich has had its head in the sand for decades.
And the short term waiting lot for people on cellphones is out by the gas station. Far away and out of touch.
You sound bitter.
In my 2 years of DIA vs 20 of AUS. Getting to DIA and through security is far more predictable than Austin. Knock on wood but TSA precheck at DIA North checkpoint has been excellent compared to other airports in predictability as they will take lanes from the non pre lanes as needed to keep the line moving. But like other comments have said, the lack of a train backup to terminals B and C is generally concerning.
Excellent video. Keep it up CNBC.
TH-cam suggested this to be while I was sitting in Denver airport.
I love airport interviews like this . Can you do IAD or BWI next
Yes! I'd love to see my local airports, especially Dulles
yessirrr dulles club lets go
Denver is OK if you’re connecting but to get to the airport from downtown and through security, give yourself an extra hour than other airports. Fix getting through TSA and it will be much better
The line/wait for TSA at 5:30am was unbelieveable. Almost didn't make an 8am flight.
EWR actually has 3 runways but one is rarely used.
I travel to Denver frequently to visit my partner, the DIA is great. Not surprised to see it growing.
Delta and American missed the bus in not investing in Denver that Southwest and United did. Skiing and the resorts have grown at an exponential rate in the last decade that brings extremely rich people in- the kind of customer airlines want, and you also get a hub in the center of the country unlike Atlanta or Dallas.
United should maybe even switch their HQ to Denver and go all in, it’s only a matter of time.
Delta is investing big into SLC. Having used both I definitely prefer SLC. Better skiing there as well but that's a different debate.
The great thing about Southwest is how thoroughly it utilizes space at hub airports for all Big 3 airlines (like at PHX (American), ATL (Delta) and DIA (United))
Word on the street is UAL will be moving their HQ to Denver in a few years. Their already planning out the new onsite office infrastructure for it.
@@sebastianbrauer608I absolutely love SLC. Its usually less crowded than DEN and has quick security, good food options, and friendly employees. Its perfect other than the long walk to B but most flights don't take off from there.
American and Delta would have struggled to enter the Denver market with how big united is there. Also while Denver is cool it doesn’t make sense for United to relocate their HQ. They have their main offices in Chicago but have a lot of additional offices in Houston. As an airline it’s very easy to quickly have people go city to city. And Chicago has a far larger international presence with most of the Star Alliance flying there.
This was great!
God I love airplanes and airport logistics
Sucker for those
Sad. :)
It is interesting that CNBC does not feature any interviews with passengers, just executives and consultants from the airport and city. If you travel there as a passenger be prepared for extremely crowded gate areas, malfunctioning or absent charging outlets, mediocre food, and bathrooms so old you can smell the urine as you pass by. The airport IS being renovated but at a snail's pace while the existing terminal facility continues to be worn out from heavy passenger traffic.
Can't argue with that. You'll get a much better experience in the newer parts of the recently expanded United concourses, but the main terminal rennovation has taken a shamefully / shockingly long time. 'Snails pace' is pretty generous.
This is an ad,, this is what CNBC does.
Just here to say this is accurate. The fact that someone's first experience in Denver will likely be using an overflowing urinal is an embarrassment for the state. First impressions matter.
@@ShadowRaptor8I’ve never experienced that at Denver
Cherry picking reporting.
DIA was my home airport from its opening until June 2022. I averaged around 35-40 trips out of DIA during that period of time. That’s between 1000 to 1100 trips. I love DIA as it proved to be a great home airport. My home airport is now Jacksonville, FL and still fly United. I travel through DIA from time to time so it’s weird that I don’t get on the train, go to baggage claim then go out to the parking garage to get my car and drive home to Fort Collins.
What plane do you fly? And do you know if there are any wide-bodies bases United has in Florida?
@@Nick-qb5ph, out of Jacksonville I fly 737s, A320s, A319, and Embraer 175. United doesn’t have a hub in Florida, not sure of any crew bases or aircraft bases. I would imagine no aircraft bases for sure.
map at 1:37 -- they think Denver is in Nebraska apparently
This comment section is very telling. People who transfer through DEN seem to think its the best airport ever. Meanwhile those of us who have to drive for 45 minutes on Peña, wait through a ridiculous security line to cram onto one unreliable old train to get to the Terminal feel differently. Especially when somehow every urinal doesn't flush.
It’s better than most cities I assure you
The train from downtown to the airport only takes 30 minutes, a lot better than getting stuck in traffic and paying a fortune for parking.
DIA is an egregious mismanaged airport, lead by Phil himself. The Great Hall project, close to 10 years and still not complete. Talk about Fraud. This airport is becoming an albatross of epic proportions. I purposefully avoid DIA, even if it means going through Chicago.
Sounds like you never been to Newark.
TSA Pre Check and CLEAR helps a ton! Still wayyyy better than LAX!
As a local DIA user, it pretty much sucks. Super overcrowded terminals, long wait times at security, baggage takes about 30-40 minutes to arrive after you arrive at the baggage claim. The remote airport lots routinely have super high levels of break-ins in supposedly secure lots, the whole thing is a joke. I grew up in Chicago and O'Hare seems serene compared to this ridiculousness.
Don't forget it was designed for a fraction of the traffic they do today.
Can’t believe they didn’t even mention Frontier which is headquartered in Denver; Denver economic growth is amazing.
Frontier is actually the worst tho. United is as as good as it gets
froniter isnt a big carrier though that doesnt dominate denver as a whole that is united that does and its been that way since the 90s and its only going to continue to grow more
yeah I know, but it should still have been mentioned; even a small airline being headquartered in your city is pretty important @@ethanparker7900
Been through DIA twice. 2021 and 2022, security lines are crazy long and slow. The airport isn't too bad, it's a zoo of a place, the train from union station to the airport from my downtown hotel was convenient. Colorado is beautiful, Denver was...meh.
Cant wait to get on my first flight and fly to the US some day.
It sucks here + customs will probably not let you in
@@pieceoflintifoundonthefloo554People like you need to travel to see what the rest of the world is like.
i have been to 5 countries outside of the US. there are things they do better and worse.@@benmirault5933
Make sure you fly Delta over UA and AA.
Two major flaws with DIA.
1. The security lines and processing needs to be overhauled. It should never have gotten to its current state.
2. There is no moving sidewalk/walkway connecting the terminals. When the train broke last year linking the terminals, the airport could not function. No resiliency was designed into the system.
Everyone was saying that since the 90's when they built it. No one ever really listened.
Literally opening an brand new security screening section (Lv. 6 West) in less than a month
Why is the CEO of the airport doing the interview in a copy room? LOL
Couldn't they have chosen a nicer office / conference room?
😂
Who cares.....probably because he actually works and doesn't sit in a pretty taxpayer funded office and sit there and look fancy.
That is his office…
It could be a temp office actually. But still i thought corporations like choose conference rooms or something for such interviews
@@sebrofc United Airlines is public?
Fun fact: the main blueprint of the airport was if it did get more populated, there was enough land to add a second tent right in front of the main tent. So people would check in, dropp of their luggage and all the airlines wouldnt be right next to each othed. That plan faded out thru the years and instead the airport added a train station and a hotel.
Denver is my favorite city to fly to. It’s the coolest place I can fly to direct from where I live in the boring Midwest. Gateway to some awesome road trips.
I'm hoping to retire next year at 55. My goal next year is to be more serious and consistent with my investments I've been investing since I was 22. 2024 is going to be more serous for me investing consistently for the long term. starting to save for a house down payment. I want to invest more than $105k, but I'm not sure on how to mitigate risk
Best thing you can do to derisk is diversify.
Its unclear which stocks and sectors will lead the market in the next uptrend. It is advisable to diversify while retaining 70-80% in secure investments. looking at your budget, you should consider financial advisory.
A good number of people discredit the effectiveness of financial advisors, but over the past 10years I've had a an advisor consistently restructure and diversify my portfolio/expenses and I've made over $3million in gains... might not be a lot but i find myself secure financially
Being heavily liquid, I'd rather not reinvent the wheel. Since this strategy works for you, how can I contact your advisor?
Samuel Peter Descovich is the analyst that helps me. He has a large following and is easily found online.
He has extensive understanding as I have made so much since following him.
Denver is great to fly through as a connection, but I hate flying out of it as the first flight and going thru TSA.
United airlines screwed me over at Denver a few months ago. Cancelled my second flight while I was in the air lmao. Line for customer service was like 3 hours then had to take another 2 flights to get home :))
I was in the military and flew out of LAX to ATL because it was always a 1 way trip with Delta... LMFFFAAAOOO
Just flew through yesterday. The construction is terrible, but I look forward to how it looks later
What is up with that Denver dot placement? Did you mess up Denver with Des Moines, IA?
3:09 What was the point of calling it DIA rather than DEN. DEN is much more recognizable and the 3 letters typically indicates its an IATA code. Calling it DIA causes ambiguity about whether it is the Doha International Airport (the old one) or Denver.
It is still DEN in the airline system, as was it's predecessor, Stapleton. DIA is just the name of the airport.
DIA honestly should've been the code for dulles
Why does it matter what the code is?
@@jbanthony3498 to help people know which airport is what dude come on
yeah Denver rocks!
Never have an issue here going through security, trains mostly run like clockwork, and there’s plenty to do within the terminal. Would Love a few designated spots for viewing aircraft and some more variations in food options. With proper planning this airport is a breeze and easy to navigate. ❤
It's amazing how Southwest has grown at DIA. There was a time back in the late 1980s and 90s when they didn't want to fly into any airports with bad weather and totally avoided Denver. When they finally decided to service Denver they must have really liked what they found because now they are the second biggest carrier at DIA and have their own Concourse with 30+ gates. It's my favorite connecting point on Southwest when I fly them across the Country. Denver made a great decision to replace Stapleton Airport with Denver International giving an immense area for future growth.
That's huge man!
Probably the thing I miss most about living in Denver!
Is the secret underground base getting renovated as well?
Of course!
Delta did the same in Salt Lak City, similar mid continent benefits and growth
I've rarely waited longer than 30 minutes for security, wish I could say the same for Dulles or other airports...
As a tenant of this airport, this is the most unsupportive airport I have ever worked in. The leadership of this airport is a complete joke and provide almost no support for tenants. Rules change from one month to the next and refuse to accept ownership of anything. Worst airport ever.....
Last year I deliberately detoured myself through Denver to check out their new Centurion lounge. I wouldn't mind a DEN layover again.
Let's go! We just need more direct intercontinental flights Next
yeah Denver rocks!. Fun fact! It is the largest airport in the US.
I lived in Denver when DIA and the light rail opened. Like any huge project, problems. But now......one can grab a light rail to the old Union Station downtown for a few bucks and in comfort. Stops along the way. Denver's light rail is powered mostly by renewables....did you see all those solar panels in a quick shot here? The original light rail...not to DIA...exceeded ridership expectations by several orders of magnitude, and they rapidly expanded.
And then, here in Austin, a progressive city, no light rail at all. One commuter line to and from Leander, maybe twenty miles north. Diesel, not electric.
Denver Airport has lots and lots of land to grow. That’s their primary advantage.
well i still see that freaking long line of TSA checking points … bigger airport hall just makes longer line becoming more visible to passengers from afar, added more stress to passengers and TSA agents.
needs more strategy to disperse the crowds, to make it more pleasing experience… Right now it is like a queue of prisoner lunch break time.
I have never seen so much dogs at an airport more than this airport.
Hopefully the airport can make an underground walkway as a backup against broken trains
I’m biased but LAS is the goat to me. Super easy to get around, and being so centralized no matter where you live in the Valley the airports never more than like 35 mins away and for most far less than that.
CEO needs a suit that actually fits him.
They need to do something about TSA security times. It’s the worst.
DIA is a modern, comfortable, and fun airport to travel to/from, but the operation for non-TSA-pre North-side security NEEDS to improve. The one line available for non-TSA-pre passengers is incredibly slow and is abysmal!
My home airport is Atlanta and Denver is my favorite airport by far.
Denver copied Atlanta’s terminal layout
DFW and Denver built new airports as cities increased in size. Phoenix SKY Harbor should follow IMO. Phoenix becoming too congested for that large an airport.
If airlines really see it as an issue, they’d invest in Mesa. But they don’t because PHX is one of the highest rated airports in the country
@@EthanCowlbeck So what is the reason for all the places to eat in PHX being pre TSA? Its like the airport is set up backwards.
DIA and Colorado are collapsing under the weight of new visitors and incoming residents, truly hoping that the airport can accommodate it from Pena Blvd to the terminal. as a local to the state I wish people would just stop coming here but ya know.
Oh boo hoo. There’s a reason tons of people move there.
@@KanyeTheGayFish69 I bet you're the one who got the Eisenhower closed. bOo hoO go get trapped on I70
I'll bet you arrived after my family did in 1972. And, of course we arrived after others. Yeah, CO is now so overpopulated, every system is at maximum capacity.
@@frequentlycynical642 incorrect. Born after, but families been here for generations...besides the point though since we're both agreeing with systems not being up to demand.
Been there many of times its a big long airport one of the better airports ive been to had some problems with united there but better hope u dont land at 1 gate and have to go to the otherside of the terminals especially if u have kids or dogs or lots of luggage
E Z PZ compared to DFW.
Awesome
I love united💙
DEN is my favorite airline, by far. I might be slightly biased though.
Wow dude I didn’t know that it was the new hub for United, I know Chicago used to be considered, but it’s the northern middle of the country and Denver is kind of the best southern middle of the country
I enjoyed ‘City Wok’ restaurant in Denver.
Absolutely love the airport they have created, by Asian airport standards it might be average in presentation but in the US it looks and feels first class. If it just had more unique places to eat and congregate it really would become an exciting destination on its own.
I would say, aside from Changi (which is overrated imo) airports in the US and Europe are much better simply because they’re developed countries
You seen the Korean airport? Japan, Singapore? They got the best airports overall. Also most of the us isn’t developed.
@@mikeemendby developed you mean hdi? Yes the us is one of the most developed countries in the world. Every state except for Mississippi have a very high hdi.
@@mikeemend Korea isn’t as developed as the US for sure. Japan used to be, but Narita and Haneda are both pretty run down
@@vietnam1978I disagree with that statement. Most of U.S. soil is in rural areas. South Korea is more developed than major U.S. cities. Has to do more with development per area of land. Tell me the U.S. is more developed once you’ve traveled abroad
would love one on delta with DTW and MSP
I try and avoid DFW vs Denver. DFW is frequently inundated with frequent storms.
DFW is AA's global hub as ATL is Delta's. If you are flying outside the US, you would rather be at DFW. All three airports can run 40 minute connection banks which is impressive.
I HATE connecting in Denver. For such a busy Airport, they have very few amenities. There are very few restaurants to eat at.
US airports all have that trend
As a DEN employee, gotta say, pena and the drive to the airport, like the rest of the cities freeways, need to be expanded to 5-6 lanes. People don’t understand the use of the left lane here. Add in peak travel dates and times and it creates havoc for the employees trying to get to work. Also the landside lot, increase security. I understand why it was moved further away and honestly most of us don’t mind giving the passengers somewhere closer to park, but that being said, there’s no reason employees need to come to work and fear for their or their personal belongings security while at work, if it’s avoidable.
I know I'm going to get flamed for this...but should've kept Stapleton! HAHA
Woah, I thought this was a Wendover Productions video for a hot minute!
Still, i like smaller airports rather than huge airports. Less queue, low emissions, more friendly.
What about the underground base?
Now...do the same with Dulles
That airport is airport-tastic.
I’m surprised they didn’t cover the reason why the airport has those peaks on top of the terminals. That alone probably cost a few million. And not to mention all the tornado shelters in the airport.
The peaks have no reason other than to mimic the snow capped mountains farther west. It is an architectural marvel. I've always wondered how long that fabric is supposed to last.
The peaks were actually a cost saving measure. It was orginally supposed to have a metal and scaffolding roof like the rest of the consourses.
@@andrewwaller6862 I lived in Denver during the DIA project years. I have no idea of how the Teflon tent cost compared to the other construction, but the people making the decision options the boldness of the architecture and materials. Will never be confused with any other airport. It was a statement to the world that CO and Denver was bold and innovative.
I hope some of that investment goes to hiring maintenance and cleaning staff for the airport. It's consistently the nastiest and least maintained major airport in the country.
Correct Airport code is DEN not DIA.
Subjective opinion: I think the facade and the roof structure of this airport is the most beautiful in the world. And I am not an American btw, I am from somewhere in southeast Asia.
lax is literally next to the ocean and heavily populated beach towns 😭
What's nice is they have the Land to Expand
Globemasters is appropriate not the colossal evacuation zone style airport constructions maybe
You need to visit DIA to understand the vastness of the Airport...
Just wish they didn't put that Monopoly Man mustache on the south end of the Great Hall, blocking the sun.
The USA has a massive shortage of pilots
Because becoming a pilot is prohibitively expensive. Thats why i settled with my ppl and flying a cessna in the weekends.
get rid of the TSA and things will go smoother!
Bigger isn’t always better. Transferring thru Denver or Salt Lake City is terrible, you’re walking so far from terminal to terminal.
Invested 1 billion in the city underneath the airport?
One of the things United needs to do is to eliminate remote stand gates and ground level gates at concourse b
Been there twice this year
Ewr has 3 runways , overall good video
Newark has 3 runways using the “math” in this program. Pilots would say it has 6 and Denver has 12. Each slab of concrete is 2 runways, one in each direction.