Frontier Airlines: Denver International Airport Terminal

Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe

Frontier Airlines is a Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier that began service in 1994. At Denver International Airport (DEN), the most useful detail is simple: Frontier does not have a separate terminal building. Passengers use the main Jeppesen Terminal for check-in and baggage services, then continue to Concourse A for their flight. Because gates and airport procedures can change, always check the Frontier app, your boarding pass, and DEN flight displays on travel day.

History of Frontier Airlines at Denver International Airport

Frontier Airlines was founded in Denver and began flying on July 5, 1994, from the former Stapleton International Airport. Its first routes served Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot in North Dakota. Denver International Airport opened on February 28, 1995, and Frontier moved its local operation to the new airport with the rest of Denver’s commercial airline service.

Denver has remained central to Frontier’s identity and operations. The airline uses an ultra-low-cost model in which the base fare includes limited services and travelers can pay separately for options such as a carry-on bag, checked baggage, advance seat selection, and priority boarding. That approach can produce a low advertised fare, but passengers should compare the total trip cost after adding the services they need.

Frontier began service in Denver in 1994, one year before Denver International Airport opened. The airline did not first begin operating from Concourse A in 2001.

Where Is Frontier Airlines at Denver International Airport?

DEN has one main passenger terminal, called the Jeppesen Terminal, followed by three secure-side concourses: A, B, and C. Frontier’s airport functions are split between the terminal and Concourse A. This is why calling the location “Terminal A” is misleading.

Jeppesen Terminal Versus Concourse A

The Jeppesen Terminal is the public-side building where passengers arrive by car, rail, shuttle, or rideshare. It contains ticketing, bag drop, baggage claim, security checkpoints, and ground transportation access. Concourse A is beyond security and contains departure gates, restaurants, shops, restrooms, and passenger services.

Travelers with a mobile boarding pass and no checked bag normally do not need to stop at the Frontier counter. They can proceed to an open security checkpoint and then follow signs to Concourse A. Travelers checking baggage, requesting in-person assistance, or resolving a document issue should go to Frontier’s Level 6 East counter first.

How to Reach Frontier’s Gates

After security, passengers can take DEN’s automated Train to the Gates to Concourse A. Concourse A is also the only DEN concourse that can be reached by a pedestrian bridge from the terminal. The A-Bridge is useful when train platforms are busy, but the best route depends on your gate, mobility, and current airport directions.

Frontier commonly uses the A-East ground-boarding area. If your boarding pass shows a gate in the A54–A84 area, follow signs toward A-East and use the escalators near Gate A53 to reach the north or south corridor. Do not assume your flight will use that area; operational gate changes are common at large airports.

Services and Amenities Near Frontier’s Gates

Concourse A includes food, shopping, seating, restrooms, and free airport Wi-Fi. The Frontier-focused A-East expansion added more practical amenities for passengers using the ground-boarding gates. Available services can vary by location and operating hours, so use DEN’s interactive map for the latest open businesses.

Frontier also uses self-service technology at many airports. At selected kiosks, passengers may be able to retrieve a reservation, print a bag tag, or complete other check-in steps. Kiosk functions are not identical at every machine. Once a bag tag is attached, checked baggage still must be accepted by an airline agent before the cutoff.

Tips for Navigating Frontier Airlines at DEN

1. Check In Before Leaving for the Airport

Frontier check-in opens 24 hours before departure. The mobile app is usually the fastest way to check in, receive a digital boarding pass, and monitor schedule or gate changes. A printed boarding pass or agent assistance may involve a fee unless an exemption applies.

2. Arrive Early Enough for DEN’s Size

Frontier advises passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure. DEN also advises travelers to leave enough time for ticketing, bag drop, security, and travel to the gate. Add extra time during holidays, severe weather, early-morning peaks, or when traveling with children, mobility needs, special items, or international documents.

3. Use the Correct Side of the Terminal

For Frontier ticketing or checked baggage, use the east side of Jeppesen Terminal on Level 6. Current DEN guidance places Frontier at Level 6 East, position 2. Drivers should follow airport signs for Terminal East and airline check-in rather than searching for a separate “Frontier terminal.”

4. Check Live Security Information

DEN uses East and West security checkpoints on Level 6. Both provide access to all concourses. Check DEN’s live security page before choosing a checkpoint because hours, lane types, and wait times can change.

5. Head to Concourse A and Keep Watching the Gate

After security, use the train or A-Bridge, then follow the gate number shown on your boarding pass. Keep the Frontier app notifications enabled and compare them with airport monitors. A gate can change after check-in, and walking times within Concourse A can be significant.

Frontier Check-In, Boarding, and Baggage Rules

Frontier’s unbundled fare model makes advance planning especially important. The base fare includes one personal item, while a carry-on bag, checked bag, seat selection, and other extras may cost more unless included in a bundle or fare product.

Measure bags with all wheels, straps, and handles included. Frontier states that baggage prices generally rise closer to departure, so purchasing needed bags during booking is usually cheaper than paying at the airport or gate. Rules and fees can change, so confirm them on Frontier’s official baggage page before travel.

Drop-Off, Parking, Pickup, and Ground Transportation

Passengers who need Frontier’s counter should follow signs to Terminal East departures on Level 6. As of summer 2026, DEN guidance directs passengers using the east security side toward doors 601–605. Travelers without checked bags can use either open security checkpoint, so the fastest drop-off point may depend on current traffic and wait times.

Arriving passengers collect Frontier baggage on the east side of Level 5. Pickup zones, rideshare areas, rental-car shuttles, public transit, and parking routes are separated by level and transportation type. Review DEN parking and transportation information before leaving home, especially during terminal construction or holiday periods.

Connections, Families, and Accessibility

Passengers connecting from Concourse B or C to a Frontier flight in Concourse A should use the Train to the Gates. Travelers already in Concourse A can remain inside security and walk to the new gate. Always allow time for the distance between the center train station and the far ends of the concourse.

Families can use nursing rooms, family restrooms, changing facilities, and the play area near A25. Travelers with pets or service animals can use Concourse A pet-relief rooms. Passengers who need wheelchair service should arrange it with Frontier in advance; DEN recommends contacting the airline at least 48 hours before departure. Electric carts may operate in the concourses, but availability and routes are not guaranteed.

DEN also offers accessibility services such as visual paging, interpreter support at information booths, and wayfinding assistance for blind or low-vision travelers. Ask an airport information booth or airline representative for help rather than risking a missed cutoff.

Future Expansion and Development at Frontier’s DEN Facilities

The original article described Frontier’s Concourse A expansion as a future possibility, but the major project is already complete. DEN and Frontier fully opened the 120,000-square-foot A-East ground-boarding facility on October 1, 2024. The $220 million project included 83,000 square feet of remodeled space, 37,000 square feet of new concourse space, six new waiting areas, nine remodeled gates, and five new gates, for 14 gate positions in the expanded area.

The project also added charging stations, a nursing room, a pet-relief area, a family restroom, a companion care room, dining, retail, airline offices, and a maintenance facility. Passengers reach the area by descending near Gate A53 and following signs for gates A54–A84.

Other DEN work continues, especially in the Jeppesen Terminal under the Great Hall Program. Counter locations, security access, roads, and walking routes may shift as construction progresses. However, DEN’s current airline directory continues to list Frontier at Level 6 East, position 2, with flights in Concourse A. Travelers should check official airport construction notices shortly before departure instead of relying on old terminal guides.

How Frontier’s Location Compares With Other Airlines at DEN

Frontier’s setup is different from a traditional “dedicated terminal.” Its ticket counter is in the main terminal, and its flights use Concourse A alongside several other airlines. United uses Concourses A and B, while Southwest uses Concourse C. The exact number of gates, restaurant choices, and walking distance vary by concourse.

Airline fare, baggage, boarding, and seating policies are separate from airport terminal design and can change more often than concourse assignments. Compare the total ticket cost and current airline rules rather than assuming one concourse offers a better airline experience.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Frontier Airlines at Denver International Airport

Frontier passengers at DEN should remember three locations: Level 6 East for check-in and bag drop, either Level 6 security checkpoint for access to the secure area, and Concourse A for departure. The train and A-Bridge both reach Concourse A, while the A-East extension serves many Frontier operations and offers upgraded passenger amenities.

The best way to avoid problems is to check in through the Frontier app, pay for needed bags in advance, arrive early, and continue monitoring the gate. DEN is large and still undergoing terminal improvements, so current signs, live airport information, and your boarding pass should take priority over any static online guide.

For travelers preparing personal items for a trip, this guide to the best travel toothbrushes offers additional packing ideas. Keep optional toiletries within TSA liquid limits when placing them in a carry-on bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

What terminal is Frontier Airlines at Denver International Airport?

Frontier uses DEN’s Jeppesen Terminal. Its check-in and bag-drop counters are on Level 6 East, position 2. Flights depart from Concourse A, which is a concourse rather than a separate terminal.

How do I get to Frontier’s gates at DEN?

After clearing East or West security on Level 6, take the Train to the Gates to Concourse A or use the post-security A-Bridge walkway. Follow your live gate number because Frontier may use different parts of Concourse A.

How early should I arrive for a Frontier flight from Denver?

Frontier recommends arriving at least two hours before departure. Add more time during peak travel periods or when checking bags. Check-in and bag drop close 60 minutes before departure, and boarding ends 20 minutes before departure.

Where is Frontier baggage claim at DEN?

DEN lists Frontier baggage claim on the east side of Jeppesen Terminal. Check the arrival monitors for the assigned carousel because carousel numbers can change.

What terminal is Frontier Airlines at Phoenix Sky Harbor?

Phoenix Sky Harbor’s current airline directory lists Frontier in Terminal 3. International handling or operational assignments can differ, so verify the terminal on your boarding pass before arriving.

What terminal is Frontier Airlines at Orlando International Airport?

Orlando International Airport lists Frontier in Terminal A. The airport’s airline page associates Frontier with security checkpoints serving gates 1–29 and 70–99, but passengers should confirm the live gate assignment.

What terminal is Frontier Airlines at Las Vegas airport?

Frontier uses Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport, formerly called McCarran International Airport. Frontier flights may use D or E Gates, so check the airport display and boarding pass.

Can Frontier’s gate at DEN change after check-in?

Yes. Gate assignments can change for operational reasons. Keep app notifications on and compare your mobile boarding pass with DEN flight-information displays until boarding begins.

Sources

1. Denver International Airport airline directory — Frontier ticketing, baggage-claim side, and Concourse A assignment
2. DEN security information — security checkpoints, live wait times, and arrival guidance
3. DEN Concourse A-East expansion announcement — opening date, gates, project size, and amenities
4. Frontier check-in and boarding guidance — check-in window, airport arrival recommendation, and cutoff times
5. Frontier baggage size and weight limits — personal-item, carry-on, and checked-bag limits
6. DEN airport facilities — train, A-Bridge, concourses, and passenger amenities