What the Northwest-Delta Airline Merger Means for the Denver Traveler

Delta Airlines acquired Northwest Airlines in October 2008, forming the largest commercial airline carrier in the world.

Although tickets can still be purchased for Northwest Airlines flights, please note that at Denver International Airport, Northwest Airlines passengers now check in at the Delta Air Lines ticket counter, Terminal East, Level 6. To claim a bag from a Northwest Airlines flight, please go to Baggage Carousel 4, Level 5, Terminal East, which is the baggage-claim carousel for Delta. Northwest Airlines no longer has facilities in the terminal. As of now, however, passengers on outbound Northwest flights still proceed from the terminal to DIA’s Concourse C and board flights at Northwest Airlines gates. Northwest flights are still noted as such on airport flight information displays and other flight listings.

Parking Rates in DIA’s Least-Expensive Lots Will Increase $1 per Day on July 1

Economy lots will go to $10 daily; shuttle lots to $6 a day

After the increase, daily parking rates will be $10 in the east and west economy lots, and $6 in the Pikes Peak and Mt. Elbert shuttle lots.

“Due to the financial condition of the airline industry, airports throughout the country are looking for ways to increase non-airline revenue and reduce costs for their tenant carriers,” Patrick Heck, deputy manager of aviation, Revenue and Business Development, said.

The rate increases will generate approximately $1.4 million annually, which will be used to defray airline costs, Heck said.

DIA last raised its daily economy lot rate on June 15, 2005, when it went from $7 to $9.  The daily shuttle lot rate was raised from $4 to $5 in July 1999.

Denver’s Top Domestic Markets include Los Angeles, Chicago
and New York

Downtown Los Angeles  Copyright LACVB – Photo by Michele and Tom Grimm

At DIA, more people fly between Denver and Los Angeles than any other city pair. The Los Angeles area has five airports and four are served nonstop from DIA – Los Angeles International, John Wayne Airport (Orange County), Bob Hope Airport (Burbank) and Ontario International. The only Los Angeles-area airport not served nonstop from DIA is Long Beach Airport.

Executive Traveler Magazine Readers Name DIA Best Domestic Airport for Second Year in a Row

The Leading Edge Award for the “Best Domestic Airport” has been voted to Denver International Airport for the second year in a row. Executive Traveler Magazine gives its readers the opportunity each year to determine “the best” in a number of travel categories. After votes are counted the magazine then gives the Leading Edge Award to the winners. It is gratifying that those who travel, especially business travelers, are the people who have bestowed this award on DIA.

DIA Layovers Don’t
Have to Be Lackluster

Layovers can be long and boring, but luckily travelers passing through Denver International Airport have an array of activities to help pass the time.  

In addition to people-watching and enjoying the beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains, here are eight ideas for entertainment while on a layover at DIA.

1. Good eats - Treat yourself to drinks and a local entrée at one of the many bars and restaurants around the airport. If you’re not feeling like a large meal, and alcohol isn’t your thing, don’t worry because each gate is near dozens of concessions. So, whether you want just a snack or a sandwich, or latté or a soda pop, DIA caters to your cravings.
   
   
2. Shop ‘till you drop - DIA has an assortment of shopping to fit anyone’s needs. From gift stores with local themes to stores with everyday necessities, you’ll find that a few hours during a layover will seem like a trip to the mall.
   
   
3. Indulge in a little culture - Murals, sculptures, and temporary exhibits are part of DIA’s extensive public art program for all travelers to enjoy. Ask at an information booth or ask a DIA Hospitality Ambassador for an art brochure and take an airport art walking tour.
   
   
4. Impress your boss - With free wireless Internet service throughout DIA, and a business center with a meeting room and individual work stations on B Gates mezzanine, you’ll be able to stay ahead at work while passing through DIA.
   
   
5. Quiet time - A Jewish-Christian Interfaith Chapel and an Islamic Masjid are open 24 hours every day at DIA. These quiet meditation and prayer rooms are located on Level 6, Jepessen Terminal East, toward the atrium’s south end. 
   
   
6. Spend time with an ambassador – Look for the white cowboy hats and western vests to find one of DIA’s Hospitality Ambassadors. Ask them anything – from directions to their favorite airport stories – and their friendly personalities and airport tales will provide you with an enjoyable afternoon.
   
   
7. Pamper yourself - Traveling can be exhausting, so enjoy some of the pampering the airport has to offer, including a massage or a shoeshine. These activities will leave you relaxed and ready to continue on your trip.
   
   
8. New-age café - Gate areas provide hours of entertainment with Internet PC and game cafés. Even if you’re not traveling with your own laptop, you can still access the Internet and play online games.

First Quarter 2009
DIA Passenger Traffic

More than 11.4 million passengers flew into or out of Denver International Airport January through March 2009, which was a 5.7-percent reduction over the same period in 2008. The fall off is directly related to the poor economy and downturn in the number of people choosing to travel by air. The first month in 2009’s second quarter, April, showed a passenger traffic decrease of only 3.3 percent over April 2008.

Denver is suffering less than the other top-10 U.S. airports, however, with the lowest percentage drop in passenger volume. Chicago O’Hare International, for example, saw an 11.5-percent decline in air travelers, and Las Vegas fared the worst with 14 percent fewer flyers.

Parking Shuttle Buses Get New Look

DIA’s parking shuttle buses (operated on compressed natural gas to limit the effects of engine emissions on the environment) are getting a new livery. The buses are sporting a bold, beautiful new blue, illustrated with a giant image of the Jeppesen Terminal roof. When you shuttle between the parking lots and terminal you won’t have trouble picking out the DIA buses, and the new look provides a distinctive image that is part of the airport brand.

DIA Cultivates Berthoud Farm Exhibit

“Homey, nostalgic, and inspiring” are a few adjectives used by travelers to describe Denver International Airport’s new exhibit Experience Berthoud’s Farming Heritage: Images of Agriculture from Colorado’s Little Thompson Valley.

Berthoud, Colo., is surrounded by agricultural lands. The area’s farming history has defined the community for many generations. On DIA’s A Gates mezzanine gallery and at C Gates center core, travelers can enjoy more than 80 black and white photographs plus other vintage photographs and artifacts from farms in the Berthoud area.

Since being installed at the end of April, visitors have already noticed the importance of highlighting farming history in Colorado, and as one visitor wrote, “How wonderful to have an opportunity to appreciate our lands, communities, and local history. Thank you!” 

This exhibit has been touring Northern Colorado since May 2007, and will be up at DIA through Sept. 27, 2009.

Other Temporary Art Exhibits at DIA:

• Colorado Gold Rush
• May through August 2009
• Jeppesen Terminal, Walkway to A Gates Security

Flying Your Furry
(or Not-so-Furry) Friend

If you are traveling with your pet, there are many options to ensure your companion travels in comfort. Each airline has its own policy about traveling with pets. Some carriers may not allow pets on aircraft at all and others may allow certain kinds of pets, but only in the cargo hold. Be sure to call your airline ahead of time for rules and travel charges. It is strongly recommended that you consult a veterinarian and discuss your travel plans before putting a pet on a flight.

A few airlines will let smaller cats or dogs travel in a carrying case under a seat in the passenger cabin, but airlines normally restrict the number of pets in the cabin. Southwest Airlines has just joined other airlines that allow passengers to bring a small cat or dog in the aircraft cabin, charging $75 for one-way fare under its new Pets are Welcome on Southwest (PAWS) program. 

For first-class service, pet owners can look into Pet Airways, a new airline that caters exclusively to pets. Fares begin as low as $149 each way and are offered to major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Pet Airways will begin flights to Rocky Mountain Airport (Broomfield, Colo.) in July 2009.

You can indulge your pets at Denver International Airport by going to the Concourse B center core mezzanine and visiting the new Jet Pets Boutique, which offers gourmet treats, attire for pets, and numerous items for the pet enthusiast.

Or you can take pets (usually dogs) to a convenient designated pet-exercise area located outside Jeppesen Terminal West on Level 2, just outside Door 200. Pets have a fenced area for relief or exercise, and the area is wheelchair accessible. If you have a dog on a leash, you can walk a concrete path to a grassy, open area for exercise.

Connecting passengers with pets who want to use the exercise area should plan on at least 30 minutes of travel time to the terminal and back to an airline gate (factor in the time needed to go through security screening again). Because of security restrictions, no area is available outside a concourse.