Southwest Airlines Terminal at Denver International Airport (DIA)

Southwest Airlines operates out of Concourse C at Denver International Airport (DEN). Jeppesen Terminal (divided into East and West sides for passenger drop-off/pick-up) is the main Southwest terminal at Denver International Airport. 

Passengers can access the underground train from Jeppesen Terminal to Concourse C. 

The Southwest terminal at Denver Airport is one of the busiest, with 120 daily departures. Unlike many other traditional hubs, Southwest Airlines connects Denver to many cities in the United States without requiring connections. 

In addition, when it comes to passenger traffic, Denver ranks among the top airports in the US for Southwest passenger volume. 

Key Destinations From Southwest Denver Terminal

There are 95 cities that Southwest Airlines connects directly to from Denver International Airport. In addition, the airline covers almost every major region in the U.S  with strong coverage in the West, Midwest, and South.

Also, the Southwest Airlines Denver Terminal currently does not operate any international routes. The international service is available from its other hubs at Baltimore and Houston.

Southwest Airlines Departures at Denver Airport

Southwest Airlines departures are located on Concourse C. After check-in, passengers must clear security in the main terminal and then take the underground train to Concourse C.

Check-in: The check-in counter is located on the east side of the Jeppesen Terminal at Level 6, which is the main ticketing and departure level.

• Passengers can use the curbside check-in located outside Level 6 for expedited baggage drop. 

• There are self-tagging kiosks available in the Southwest check-in area for faster baggage drop.

• In addition, the Southwest Terminal at Denver Airport offers “early bag drop” service outside security for passengers who want to check bags before arriving at the terminal.

TSA Security Check: Southwest Airlines passengers at DEN use the same TSA as all other airlines. The security screening is located in the Jeppesen Terminal on Level 6.

• Southwest Terminal in Denver Airport offers multiple expedited screening options, including TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and the DEN Reserve Program.

• The East Security checkpoint at Level 6 (Jeppesen Terminal East)  is closest to the Southwest Check-in counters. 

• Alternatively, the West Security Checkpoint at Level 6 (Jeppesen Terminal West) can also be used, often less crowded. 

• Another security checkpoint at Southwest Denver Terminal is located at Level 6, near the pedestrian bridge to Concourse A. It operates for limited hours between 4:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

Boarding: Southwest Airlines uses C23 and goes up to C67. Travelers can walk or use moving walkways, which take 10-15 minutes from the train.

Southwest Airlines Arrivals at Denver Airport

All Southwest flights arrive in Concourse C. Passengers deplane directly into the concourse at Southwest Denver Terminal.

Proceed to train: After exiting the gate, follow the signs to the underground train. The train connects Concourse C to Jeppesen Terminal.

Customs and immigration: No customs or immigration is required for domestic flights. Southwest does not operate on international routes from Denver Airport.

Baggage claim: Baggage claim is located in the Jeppesen Terminal, Level 5. Southwest Airlines baggage carousels are at the East side of Level 5.

Ground transportation: After collecting baggage, passengers can follow the signs to “Rental Car Shuttles.” Rental car shuttles are located outside Level 5, Island 4 (east and west sides). Major rental companies like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget operate free shuttles to off-site rental car slots.

• RTD A-Line commuter rail from Southwest Denver Terminal connects to Union Station in downtown Denver every 15 minutes. The travel time to Downtown Denver is 37 minutes. 

• Licensed Denver Taxis are available 24/7 from Level 5, Island 1 (east and west sides).

Dining and Food Options at Denver Southwest Terminal

Denver Airport Southwest terminal has plenty of food outlets, which include sit-down restaurants, grab-and-go counters, coffee shops, and bars. There is a mix of national chains and local Colorado favorites. 

This is not a comprehensive guide. For a detailed guide, refer to Dining Options at Denver International Airport. 

Southwest Airlines Terminal Map at Denver Airport

Denver International Airport has one main Jeppesen Terminal with East and West sides. In addition, it features three concourses (A, B, C). Southwest Denver Terminal, which has check-in and baggage claim, sits on the East side. Concourse C is accessible via the airport train system and has boarding gates.

Refer to the interactive Denver Airport Southwest Terminal map to identify the following checkpoints:

• Check-in: Southwest counters located at Level 6 East.

• Security checkpoints are at Level 5 (North or South Checkpoints)

• The train is accessible via the Central Platform after security. 

• Concourse C has a linear layout with gates on both sides. The central area has food and retail outlets. 

• Baggage Claim is located on Level 5, East Side.
  

Southwest Airlines' Denver International Airport terminal handles its operations from Concourse C. Check-in and baggage claim are located on the Jeppesen Terminal. In addition, passengers can take a quick underground train to reach the boarding gates. 

From the terminal, Southwest Airlines handles 120-170 daily departures connecting nonstop to over 90 cities. The airline from Denver International Airport covers the West Coast, Texas, the Midwest, and the East Coast. The airline does not operate any international flights from Denver.