new students - at DIA

DIA is one of the friendliest airports you will ever experience. DIA is also one of the most modern and technologically advanced airports in the world. But after September 11th (9/11) the things have changed. People other than passengers can not go to the gate area (concourses) and no video shooting is allowed without permission.

Port of Entry

If you have a direct flight to Denver from outside US then you arrive at Concourse A and clear customs en route to the main terminal. For students taking a connecting flight from a US port of entry, your customs checking will be done at the point of entry. You have to fill out form I-94 and customs declaration, which you get in the plane before landing.

Customs Inspection

Mainly you will be asked if you are carrying any food or not. After 9/11 the baggage can be examined for bio-hazardous material and Indian food items which are difficult to explain in English may be thrown away without any explanation given or sought. The food should be canned or sealed. It is illegal to bring any fruits or seeds because it may affect local flora and/or fauna.

Coming to the Terminal
So, you will land at concourse A or B or C. From your gate, walk or take moving walkways to the center of the concourse. Restrooms (Toilets), phone booths, beverages, food etc. are available throughout the concourses. Take an elevator or escalator down to the train station. The train trip from the farthest concourse (Concourse C) to the Jeppesen Terminal takes less than five minutes, with trains departing about every two minutes. Enjoy the train ride !!!

Getting around in the Terminal

Once you are at the terminal do not get confused. Just in case you are confused, ask people at the information counter and they will be willing to answer all your questions but also be polite and friendly to them. Always keep some change in hand just incase you need it (e.g. 35 cents to make a call, $3 for the trolley that u may need to carry your luggage). Do not carry more cash. There are change machines which give you change for $1 or $5 bills. The machine will give you a combination of quarters (25 cents), dimes (10 cents) and nickels (5 cents). A local telephone call will cost 35 cents.

Baggage Claim

Baggage claims are located on the east and west sides of Terminal Level 5, according to airlines. Passengers arriving on America West, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Midwest Express, Mountain Air Express, TWA, US Airways, or Vanguard or pick up their baggage on the east side. Air Canada, ATA, Northwest, United and United Express passengers pick up their baggage on the West Side of the Terminal. Denver has one of the quickest baggage delivery system. If your baggage is lost, do not panic. Contact the airline, give them your address and phone number in Boulder and they will deliver the bags to you.

Baggage Information - Airline Baggage Rules

These are generalizations of many different airlines' specific baggage rules. Please ask the airlines about specific airlines and flights if you are close to any of these limits.

Domestic Flights:(US & Europe)

Checked Bags: The general rule for domestic flights is you can check 3 bags and carry-on none, check 2 bags and carry-on one, or check one bag and carry-on two. The checked bags cannot exceed 70 pounds per bag, and the dimensions cannot exceed 45" x 55" x 62" for the largest bag. The second largest bag cannot have a dimension that exceeds 55", and the third checked bag cannot exceed 45".
Carry-on Bags: The total weight of all the carry-on bags combined cannot exceed 40 pounds on some airlines, but others allow a single bag to weigh up to 50 pounds. The maximum allowable dimensions are 22" x 9" x 14". A briefcase is considered one carry-on bag, but a normal sized woman's purse is not. Some airlines allow coach class travelers only one carry-on bag.

Domestic Flights:(India)

Checked Bags: The current baggage allowance is 20Kg in Economy class and 30 Kg in Business class for INR passengers and 30Kg in Economy and 40 Kg in Business class for USD passengers. Passengers traveling from USA / USA territories / Canada and connecting onto a domestic airline flight can avail of the 2 Piece concept where in passengers are allowed to carry 2 pieces of baggage weighing a total of 64 kgs. Each piece not weighing more than 32 kgs - the total dimension of both bags should not exceed 106 inch.
Carry-on Bags: The maximum allowable dimensions are 65 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm(LxWxH).
Note:Passengers travelling on flights originating from certain stations will not be allowed to carry any hand baggage. Please ask the airlines regarding this.

International Flights:

Checked Bags: 2 pieces, maximum weight of 70 pounds per bag. The largest piece of luggage cannot exceed 62" in any dimension, and the second piece of luggage cannot exceed 55" in any dimension..
Carry-on Bags: Some U.S. carriers allow 2 bags weighing up to 50 pounds per bag, and not to exceed 22" x 9" x 14". Airlines based outside of North America may only allow one carry-on bag not to exceed 11 pounds and 22" x 9" x 14".
Note: Slight Difference will be there between Business Class, First Class and Economy Class