Hello there, IFC! Today I’m presenting the 100% realistic Denver International Airport guide! This guide will include airlines, taxi routes/SIDs/STARs, and more! With this information, you should be able to fly in or out of DEN realistically, efficiently, and smoothly.
Section One: Procedures (SIDs/STARs)
This section contains all of the SID/STAR information needed for you to fly on the right SIDs and STARs to either get into or out of DEN’s airspace efficiently! I will only be recommending RNAV/RNP charts, as taken from skyvector.com, and will not be recommending the other, outdated STARs.
SIDs
| Name | Link to Chart | Runways it uses | Some destinations that use this SID |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAYLR6 | BAYLR6 Page 1 BAYLR6 Page 2 | 17s, 25, 34s | Las Vegas, San Diego, SoCal |
| CHUWY1 | CHUWY1 Page 1 CHUWY1 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 25, 34s | Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Fargo, London |
| CONNR7 | CONNR7 Page 1 CONNR7 Page 2 | 17s, 25, 34s | Fresno, Bakersfield, Moab |
| COORZ6 | COORZ6 Page 1 COORZ6 Page 2 | 17s, 25s, 34s | Bay Area, Sacramento, Santa Rosa |
| DDRTH1 | DDRTH1 Page 1 DDRTH1 Page 2 | 8, 25, 34s | Seattle, Spokane, Portland |
| EEONS7 | EEONS7 Page 1 EEONS7 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 34s | Chicago, New York, Detroit, Boston, Baltimore |
| EMMYS7 | EMMYS7 Page 1 EMMYS7 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 34s | Kansas City, Omaha, Indianapolis, Columbus |
| EPKEE7 | EPKEE7 Page 1 EPKEE7 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 34s | Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas |
| EXTAN6 | EXTAN6 Page 1 EXTAN6 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 34s | Saint Louis, Louisville, Wichita |
| EXWNG1 | EXWNG1 Page 1 EXWNG1 Page 2 | 8, 25, 34s | Misoula, Billings, Gillette |
| HHOTH2 | HHOTH2 Page 1 HHOTH2 Page 2 HHOTH2 Page 2 | 8, 25, 34s | Rapid City, Bismark |
| SABTH2 | SABTH2 Page 1 SABTH2 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 25 | Chihuahua, Puerto Vallarta, Houston, Mexico City |
| SLEEK2 | SLEEK2 Page 1 SLEEK2 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 25 | Austin, San Antonio, Lubbock |
| SMMUR2 | SMMUR2 Page 1 SMMUR2 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 25 | Phoenix, El Paso, Tucson, San Jose Del Cabo |
| SUDDZ1 | SUDDZ1 Page 1 SUDDZ1 Page 2 | 8, 17s, 25 | Albuquerque, Santa Fe |
| ZIMMR2 | ZIMMR2 Page 1 ZIMMR2 Page 2 | 17s, 25, 34s | Reno, Salt Lake City, Boise |
STARs
| Name | Link to Chart | Runways it uses | Some departure airports that use this STAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| AALLE1 | AALLE1 Page 1 AALLE1 Page 2 AALLE1 Page 3 | 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Chicago, New York, London, Detroit, Rapid City |
| CLASH2 | CLASH2 Page 1 CLASH2 Page 2 CLASH2 Page 3 | 7, 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Orlando, Atlanta, Memphis |
| FLATI1 | FLATI1 Page 1 FLATI1 Page 2 FLATI1 Page 3 | 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Portland, Seattle, Boise, Missoula, Spokane |
| LAWGR1 | LAWGR1 Page 1 LAWGR1 Page 2 LAWGR1 Page 3 | 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Columbus, Indianapolis, Omaha |
| LONGZ1 | LONGZ1 Page 1 LONGZ1 Page 2 LONGZ1 Page 3 | 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Salt Lake City, Reno, Sacramento |
| NIIXX1 | NIIXX1 Page 1 NIIXX1 Page 2 NIIXX1 Page 3 | 7, 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans |
| SSKII1 | SSKII1 Page 1 SSKII1 Page 2 SSKII1 Page 3 | 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Bay Area, Las Vegas, SoCal, San Diego |
| TBARR1 | TBARR1 Page 1 TBARR1 Page 2 TBARR1 Page 3 | 16s, 17s, 34s, 35s | Phoenix, San Jose Del Cabo, Puerto Vallarta |
Section Two: Departure and Arrival Taxi Routes
This section contains all the information you need on taxi routes to and from the gates. They are divided into an arrivals section and a departures section. Here is the general taxi route map courtesy of SkyVector: Taxiway Map
Arrival taxi routes
The image below shows the arrival tracks into the gates. Routes from each runway to each concourse are provided. There are three sub-categories that each route falls into.
Concourse A Arrival Routes
Landing 34R: Vacate the Runway on Foxtrot 8 (F8) or Foxtrot 9 (F9), continue down taxiway FOXTROT (F) to either Alpha November (AN) for the North side of the terminal or Alpha Sierra (AS) for the South side of the terminal. (Orange, Green and Red Tracks)
Landing 35L: Vacate the runway on MIKE 6 (M6) or Mike 7 (M7), continue down taxiway MIKE (M) to either Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS). (Gray and Yellow Tracks)
Landing 35R: Vacate the runway at Papa 6 (P6) or Papa 7 (P7), if you vacate at Papa 6, follow PAPA to PAPA 7, and DO NOT turn onto Echo Charlie (EC). Follow Papa 7 (P7) to Echo Delta (ED) then make a LEFT turn on MIKE (M). Take MIKE (M) to Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS)
(Purple and yellow tracks)
Landing 26: Vacate the Runway at ROMEO 6 (R6) or Romeo 7 (R7). Continue on Romeo [R] to make a left turn onto MIKE (M) and follow Mike to Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS) (Yellow Track)
Landing 16R: Vacate the runway at DELTA 8 (D8) or Delta 5 (D5). If exited on Delta 8, take a right turn onto DELTA (D) then make a left onto Delta 5 (D5) to avoid crossing 16L/34R. Join WHISKEY BRAVO (WB) and make a right turn on Foxtrot (F). Take Foxtrot (F) to either Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS) to the ramp. (Red Track)
Landing 16L: Vacate the runway at FOXTROT 6 (F6) or Foxtrot 4 (F4). Turn onto Foxtrot (F) and continue down Foxtrot (F) to either Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS). (Green and red tracks)
Landing 17R: Vacate the runway at MIKE 4 (M4) or Mike 5 (M5), turn onto Mike (M). Take Mike (M) to Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS). (Cyan, Gray, and Yellow Tracks)
Landing 17L: Vacate the runway at PAPA 4 (P4) and turn right onto Papa §. Make a left turn onto ECHO CHARLIE (not marked) (EC) and cross 17R/35L. Turn left onto Mike (M) and continue to Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS) (Pink, purple, and yellow tracks)
Landing 7: Vacate the runway at BRAVO 4 (B4) and continue down it to Foxtrot (F) to either Alpha November (AN) or Alpha Sierra (AS) (Blue and red tracks)
Concourse B Arrival Routes
Landing 34R: Vacate the Runway on Foxtrot 8 (F8) or Foxtrot 9 (F9), continue down taxiway FOXTROT (F) to either Bravo November (BN) for the North side of the terminal or Bravo Sierra (BS) for the South side of the terminal. (Orange, Green and Red Tracks)
Landing 35L: Vacate the runway on MIKE 6 (M6) or Mike 7 (M7), continue down taxiway MIKE (M) to either Bravo November (BN) or Bravo Sierra (BS). (Gray and yellow tracks)
Landing 35R: Vacate the runway at Papa 6 (P6) or Papa 7 (P7), if you vacate at Papa 6, follow PAPA to PAPA 7, and DO NOT turn onto Echo Charlie (EC). Follow Papa 7 (P7) to Echo Delta (ED) then make a LEFT turn on MIKE (M). Take MIKE (M) to Bravo November (AN) or Bravo Sierra (BS)
(Purple, yellow, and red tracks)
Landing 26: Vacate the Runway at ROMEO 6 (R6) or Romeo 7 (R7). Continue on Romeo [R] to make a left turn onto MIKE (M) and follow Mike to Bravo November (BN) or Bravo Sierra (BS) (Yellow and red Tracks)
Landing 16R: Vacate the runway at DELTA 8 (D8) or Delta 5 (D5). If exited on Delta 8, take a right turn onto DELTA (D) then make a left onto Delta 5 (D5) to avoid crossing 16L/34R. Join WHISKEY BRAVO (WB) and make a turn (if needed) on Foxtrot (F). Take Foxtrot (F) to either Bravo November (BN) or Bravo Sierra (BS) to the ramp. (Red Track)
Landing 16L: Vacate the runway at FOXTROT 6 (F6) or Foxtrot 4 (F4). Turn onto Foxtrot (F) and continue down Foxtrot (F) to either Bravo November (BN) or Bravo Sierra (BS). (Green and red tracks)
Landing 17R: Vacate the runway at MIKE 4 (M4) or Mike 5 (M5), turn onto Mike (M). Take Mike (M) to Bravo November (BN) or Bravo Sierra (BS). (Cyan, Gray, and Yellow Tracks)
Landing 17L: Vacate the runway at PAPA 4 (P4) and turn right onto Papa §. Make a left turn onto ECHO CHARLIE (not marked) (EC) and cross 17R/35L. Turn RIGHT onto Mike (M) (if you have a gate on the north side, if not Echo Charlie becomes Bravo Sierra) and continue to Bravo November (BN) or Bravo Sierra (BS) (Pink, purple, yellow, and red tracks)
Landing 7: Vacate the runway at BRAVO 4 (B4) and continue down it to Foxtrot (F) to either Bravo November (BN) or Bravo Sierra (BS) (Blue and red tracks)
Concourse C Arrival Routes
Landing 34R: Vacate the Runway on Foxtrot 8 (F8) or Foxtrot 9 (F9), continue down taxiway FOXTROT (F) to either Charlie November (CN) for the North side of the terminal or Charlie Sierra (CS) for the South side of the terminal. (Orange and Green Tracks)
Landing 35L: Vacate the runway on MIKE 6 (M6) or Mike 7 (M7), continue down taxiway MIKE (M) to either Charlie November (CN) or Charlie Sierra (CS). (Gray and yellow tracks)
Landing 35R: Vacate the runway at Papa 6 (P6) or Papa 7 (P7), if you vacate at Papa 6, follow PAPA (P) to PAPA 7, and DO NOT turn onto Echo Charlie (EC). Follow Papa 7 (P7) to Echo Delta (ED) then make a LEFT turn on MIKE (M) OR head straight onto Charlie November (CN) . Take MIKE (M) to Charlie Sierra (CS)
(Purple and yellow tracks)
Landing 26: Vacate the Runway at ROMEO 6 (R6) or Romeo 7 (R7). Continue on Romeo [R] to make a left turn onto MIKE (M) and follow Mike to Charlie November (CN) or Charlie Sierra (CS) (Yellow Track)
Landing 16R: Vacate the runway at DELTA 8 (D8) or Delta 5 (D5). If exited on Delta 8, take a right turn onto DELTA (D) then make a left onto Delta 5 (D5) to avoid crossing 16L/34R. Join WHISKEY BRAVO (WB) and make a left turn on Foxtrot (F). Take Foxtrot (F) to either Charlie November (CN) or Charlie Sierra (CS) to the ramp. (Red and green Tracks)
Landing 16L: Vacate the runway at FOXTROT 6 (F6) or Foxtrot 4 (F4). Turn onto Foxtrot (F) and continue down Foxtrot (F) to either Charlie November (CN) or Charlie Sierra (CS). (Green track)
Landing 17R: Vacate the runway at MIKE 4 (M4) or Mike 5 (M5), turn onto Mike (M). Take Mike (M) to Charlie November (CN) or Charlie Sierra (CS). (Cyan, gray and yellow tracks)
Landing 17L: Vacate the runway at PAPA 4 (P4) and turn right onto Papa §. Make a left turn onto ECHO CHARLIE (not marked) (EC) and cross 17R/35L. Turn right onto Mike (M) and continue to Charlie November (CN) or Charlie Sierra (CS) (Pink, purple, and yellow tracks)
Landing 7: Vacate the runway at BRAVO 4 (B4) and continue down it to Foxtrot (F) to either Charlie November (CN) or Charlie Sierra (CS) (Blue, red and green tracks)
Departure taxi routes
The image below shows the departure tracks out. Routes from each concourse to each runway are provided. There are three sub-categories that each route falls into.
Concourse A Departure Routes
Departing 25: Turn onto Alpha Alpha (AA) or Alpha November (AN) and take it to GOLF (G). Continue down Golf (G) to the runway. (Red track)
Departing 34L: Turn onto Alpha Alpha (AA) or Alpha November (AN). If on Alpha Alpha (AA), continue onto WHISKEY ALPHA (WA) to the runway. If on Alpha November (AN), take a left onto Golf (G) then turn right onto Whiskey Alpha (WA) to the runway. (Red and green tracks)
Departing 34R (limited): Turn onto Alpha Alpha (AA) or Alpha November (AN). Take a right onto Foxtrot (F). Take Foxtrot (F) to FOXTROT 1 (F1) to hold short of the runway. (Red and yellow tracks)
Departing 8: Turn onto Alpha Sierra (AS) or Alpha November (AN). Take a left turn onto LIMA (L). Follow Lima (L) to ECHO ECHO (EE), then turn left onto MIKE (M) to hold short of the runway. (Blue track)
Departing 17L: Turn onto Alpha Sierra (AS) or Alpha November (AN). Take a left turn onto Lima (L). Follow Lima (L) to make a right turn onto ECHO DELTA (ED). Take Echo Delta (ED) to the runway. (Blue and orange tracks)
Departing 17R (limited): Turn onto Alpha Sierra (AS) or Alpha November (AN). Turn left onto Lima (L), then turn right onto MIKE 10 (M10) onto the runway. (Cyan and blue tracks)
Concourse B Departure Routes
Departing 25: Turn onto Bravo Sierra (BS) or Bravo November (BN) and take it to GOLF (G). Continue down Golf (G) to the runway. (Red track)
Departing 34L: Turn onto Bravo Sierra (BS) or Bravo November (BN). Take a left onto Golf (G) then turn right onto Whiskey Alpha (WA) to the runway. (Red and green tracks)
Departing 34R (limited): Turn onto Bravo Sierra (BS) or Bravo November (BN). Take a right onto Foxtrot (F). Take Foxtrot (F) to FOXTROT 1 (F1) to hold short of the runway. (Red and yellow tracks)
Departing 8: Turn onto Bravo Sierra (BS) or Alpha November (BN). Take a left turn onto LIMA (L). Follow Lima (L) to ECHO ECHO (EE), then turn left onto MIKE (M) to hold short of the runway. (Blue track)
Departing 17L: Turn onto Bravo Sierra (BS) or Bravo November (BN). Take a left turn onto Lima (L). Follow Lima (L) to make a right turn onto ECHO DELTA (ED). Take Echo Delta (ED) to the runway. (Blue and orange tracks)
Departing 17R (limited): Turn onto Bravo Sierra (BS) or Bravo November (BN). Turn left onto Lima (L), then turn right onto MIKE 10 (M10) onto the runway. (Cyan and blue tracks)
Concourse C Departure Routes
Departing 25: Turn onto Charlie Sierra (CS) or Charlie November (CN) and take it to GOLF (G). Continue down Golf (G) to the runway. (Red track)
Departing 34L: Turn onto Charlie Sierra (CS) or Charlie November (CN). Take a left onto Golf (G) then turn right onto Whiskey Alpha (WA) to the runway. (Red and green tracks)
Departing 34R (limited): Turn onto Charlie Sierra (CS) or Charlie November (CN). If on Charlie November (CN), follow it to Foxtrot 1 (F1). If on Charlie Sierra (CS), Take a right onto Foxtrot (F). Take Foxtrot (F) to FOXTROT 1 (F1) to hold short of the runway. (Red and yellow tracks)
Departing 8: Turn onto Charlie Sierra (CS) or Charlie November (CN). Take a left turn onto LIMA (L). Follow Lima (L) to ECHO ECHO (EE), then turn left onto MIKE (M) to hold short of the runway. (Blue track)
Departing 17L: Turn onto Charlie Sierra (CS) or Charlie November (CN). If on Charlie November (CN), follow Charlie November (CN) to Echo Delta (ED). If on Charlie Sierra (CS), take a left turn onto Lima (L). Follow Lima (L) to make a right turn onto ECHO DELTA (ED). Take Echo Delta (ED) to the runway. (Blue and orange tracks)
Departing 17R (limited): Turn onto Charlie Sierra (CS) or Charlie November (CN). If on Charlie November (CN), take a right turn onto Kilo (K), then turn left onto Charlie Sierra (CS). If on Charlie Sierra, continue on to MIKE 10 (M10) onto the runway. (Cyan and blue tracks)
Section Three: Gates
So now you have arrived on a correct STAR, have started to taxi on the ground towards a concourse, but then it hits you. Where do you need to go? Well, my friend, I can help with that too!
Denver has 3 concourses, and I have included a section of each.
Concourse A
Concourse A has the most airline variety at DEN. Frontier is the largest operator in this concourse,
Tenants + Gates they use:
American Airlines: A48, A49, A50, A51, A53
British Airways: A33W, A37W, A41W
Delta Air Lines: A24, A25, A26, A27, A28, A29, A30
Frontier Airlines: A31, A32, A33, A34, A36, A38, A40, A42, A44, A46, A52, A60
JetBlue: A31, A33
Lufthansa: A33W, A37W, A41W
United, Frontier, and Southwest (International Arrivals): A31, A33, A35, A37, A39, A41, A43, A45, A47
Sun Country Airlines: A45, A47
Icelandair: A39
United Express: A71, A73, A75, A77, A79, A81, A83
Copa Airlines: A33, A35, A37, A39, A41, A43, A45, A47
AeroMexico: A31, A33, A35, A37, A39, A41, A43, A45, A47
Volaris: A33, A35, A37, A39, A41, A43, A45, A47
Air Canada: A33, A35, A37, A39, A41, A43, A45, A47
Allegiant Air: A45, A47
WestJet: A33, A35, A37, A39, A41, A43, A45, A47
Norwegian: A33W, A37W, A41W
The largest aircraft allowed in concourse A is the British Airways or Lufthansa 747-400.
Bonus: Four Frontier Tails sit at DEN’s A gates.
Concourse B
Concourse B is United’s stronghold here in Denver.
Tenants + Gates they use:
United Airlines: B11, B14-B53
United Express: B54-B60, B61-B79 odds, B81-95
The largest Aircraft Allowed in Concourse B is the United 787-9/777-200ER
Bonus: A United A320 taxis by a United 757-200, with a CRJ200 and a 757-300 taking off in the background.
Concourse C
Concourse C is Southwest’s Focus City operation here in Denver.
Tenants + Gates they use:
Southwest Airlines - C23-C38, C40-47, C49, C51
Alaska Airlines - C38, C39
Spirit Airlines - C48, C50, C38
United Airlines - C38
The largest Aircraft in the concourse allowed is the Alaska 737-900/Spirit A321
Bonus: Southwest’s operation here in DEN, with the control tower in the back.
Section Four: Controlling
Note: Everything I am about to say here is just a recommendation. It will help with traffic efficiency and will try to get people out quicker.
Denver has four main flows of traffic, and I have listed them below. Again, they are in separate categories.
The first two are starred (*) because these flows are used 95% of the time, and should mostly be used as well.
North to South Flow*
Primary Arrival Runway(s): 16L, 16R, 17R
Primary Departure Runway(s): 17L
Secondary Arrival Runways: None
Secondary Departure Runways: 25, 8
South to North Flow*
Primary Arrival Runway(s): 34R, 35R, 35L
Primary Departure Runway(s): 34L
Secondary Arrival Runways: None
Secondary Departure Runways: 25, 8
East to West Flow
Primary Arrival Runway(s): 26
Primary Departure Runway(s): 25
Secondary Arrival Runway(s): Depends on Winds.
Secondary Departure Runway(s): Depends on Winds.
West to East Flow
Primary Arrival Runway(s): 7
Primary Departure Runway(s): 8
Secondary Arrival Runway(s): Depends on Winds
Secondary Departure Runway(s): Depends on Winds
I hope all the information in this topic proves to be useful for FNFs and days on the ATC schedule, and I hope to see a lot of the community following this information!
Photo Sources
Image One: Denver International Airport Roof with a sunset
Photos Two & Three are mine
Photo Four - Frontier Tails
Photo Five - United Planes
Photo Six - Southwest + Concourse C
