Denver is served by Denver International Airport (DEN), one of the busiest airports in the world and a major hub for both United Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Its central U.S. location and dual-hub status for a legacy and a low-cost carrier create an exceptionally competitive market for arrivals into Denver, with extensive domestic and growing international networks.
The airport offers one of the most comprehensive domestic route maps in the country, with direct flights from virtually every major U.S. city into DEN. Key international origins into Denver include London (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Tokyo (NRT), Panama City (PTY), Cancún (CUN), and numerous cities in Mexico and Canada. It's a primary gateway for arrivals heading to mountain and ski destinations.
Denver International is a major hub for United Airlines and the primary hub for Frontier Airlines serving arrivals into DEN. It is also a significant focus city for Southwest Airlines for flights to Denver and is served by all other major U.S. and international carriers, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air Canada flying into Denver. This mix of a legacy hub, a low-cost hub, and a strong Southwest presence drives down fares for flights to DEN.
To secure cheap flights to Denver, book domestic flights 3-6 weeks in advance for arrival into DEN. For international travel to Denver, book 2-5 months ahead. Use flight comparison tools aggressively for flights to DEN, as the airport is known for fare wars. Flying on weekdays (Tuesday-Thursday) into Denver is cheaper. Frontier Airlines often has the lowest base fares for point-to-point travel to DEN, but factor in their fees. Southwest provides excellent value with free bags for flights into Denver. For European travel to DEN, look for deals on United, Lufthansa, and seasonal carriers into Denver. Denver's strength is its domestic connectivity and competitive pricing from both coasts to DEN.