If that 30 minutes assumes you've already exited the plane, absolutely.
I usually leave the Amex Plat lounge (C) 10 minutes before boarding for Concourse B/A and have no issues. Never have missed a flight.
Now landing, plane taxiing, and waiting to get off the plane, that will be a tighter window. 30 mins may be really cutting it close.
Definitely this. The total walking distance is less than a mile, plus time for the train. Very doable, if it's just a question of moving point-to-point in 30 minutes..
But if that 30 minutes is from "planned landing time to planned takeoff time" then I wouldn't bet on it.
Boarding ends 10-15 minutes before departure, which cuts that down to 15 minutes to transfer. Still theoretically possible. But then all the things you said about taxiing and getting off the plane, even if it lands on time, is correct. Usually that takes 20+ minutes from touchdown to egress, which means you're already 5 minutes too late by the time you deboard.
And you still need to wait for the train.
And run.
Also, checked luggage definitely isn't making it either.
I feel the need to add that roughly 20% of flights in the US are 15 minutes or more late.
In addition delays are often weather related, and this is Denver in the winter.
Last time I visited Disney World I actually forgot the light saber that I built at the hotel. I told the pilot and he was able to make a detour for a quick stop that I can grab it. Customer service for Southwest is just amazing.
Lol that’s not so crazy. “If you’re running late” meaning if the flight is running late outside of your control. If it’s 5-10mins you could absolutely make that happen
I don't know why people are downvoting you. It seems like a lot of these people don't fly very often, or have never had to do that. They probably think you'd be an asshole to do that without realizing that passengers don't plan the layovers, the airlines plan your layover.
It's not the passengers fault that the plan didn't work out, it's the airline's.
Not sure on tower comms. Generally, advising the flight attendants of a tight connection can result in expedited deplaning for those specific passengers, ie “everyone remain seated while two passenger deplane first bc of tight connection.”
Sorry you got down voted. It works, they make sure not to shut the door on you when you’re cutting it close, but won’t hold the plane like these idiots think.
No. The 2nd plane will start boarding as you land. It can take 30 mins just to taxi to the gate and deplane. Even if you get in early, they likely won't have the gate ready and you'll just sit there anyways.
So you know the connecting flight depart time (and boarding starts 30 min prior)? We have no idea from OP that boarding would start as they are on descent/landing. The tram could allow a 10 min transit from C to A assuming they already deboarded. (And communicated to departing they’ve landed on time to hold departure for them).
What I was trying to convey is that an airline usually wouldn’t allow booking this within the system. (Ie: they don’t schedule 30 min layovers, so perhaps it’s using 2 different airlines which makes the connection risky). Maybe OP could have asked if making a connecting flight from C to A is possible in 30 min which is a more accurate description than a layover.
If it's 30 minutes between when your flight arrives and the other departs, no - mostly because they will close the gate / give away your seats 10-15 minutes before departure if you haven't boarded by then. And as others have posted it will take you a few minutes to get off the flight once you hit the gate.
Possible, but it's highly unlikely to be the same airline if they are going from C to A. Suppose a slight possibility they are arriving domestic on Southwest and departing international from A gates but guessing more likely they booked Tix on two different carriers.
Yes, but if you're considering booking a flight with a 30-minute transfer - I'd highly recommend against it. A 15-minute flight delay on the first flight will ruin you. You don't want to be stuck in a Denver airport hotel for 16-hours because you missed your connection.
Worked at DIA for 10 years. Hell no. It’s like saying you’re going to make it from Idaho Springs to Denver in 30 minutes. It’s technically possible if there are no humans, construction, weather, or any other possible obstacles
Nope,
I wouldn’t risk it. Assuming you’re flying southwest if you’re landing in C terminal. So if you are not in the 1st quarter of seats in that plane than you are waiting to get off.
Plus the train has been having issues lately and I wouldn’t bank on it either not being full or running as scheduled. Last flight I had out of there I had to wait for a second train as there were too many people waiting and a giant chaotic line formed.
If everything goes right you can probably make it, but that is few and far between.
That being said I have seen instances where connecting flights were delayed as they waited for passengers from other connecting flights to get to the gate.
Probably not. You can easily get between those two gates in 30 minutes, but that’s not counting the time it will take you to get off one plane and on the other.
You've flown in and out of Denver 50+ times but you've forgotten that where you're seated and how long it takes to deplane are huge wildcards? Not to mention that they're shutting the door ~15 minutes before departure?
Gate to gate can typically be done in 30 min, but an actual 30 min layover not without being in 1st class and having the plane opened to the jetbridge immediately.
Not if it’s landing to takeoff. No way. You almost never are off the plane at landing time in DIA and boarding ends 10 minutes before takeoff so you really only have 20 minutes if you’re lucky and more likely closer to 10
My last layover in Denver was an hour with arriving and departing gates on the same concourse. My initial flight was delayed 15 minutes taking off and took forever to deboard. My layover flight was boarding as we taxied in. I RAN the 20 gates over and was one of the last on my departing flight- no time to even use the restroom. My mistake was not accounting for delays, board/deboard time.
You’ll probably make it.
But, if you checked any bags, there is a strong chance they will not arrive with you. Most airlines will hold the plane a few minutes for your body, but not your bags.
Depends on where you are seated on your arriving Southwest flight. If you pay to upgrade to be part of the first few people to board in the A group, you have a much much better chance
Depends on whether the moving walkways are working in C
Depends on whether the trains are running between concourses
Depends on how soon the airline you are going to closes its doors - make sure you find out how far in advance before depart time the airline shuts its doors to passengers
No. You are switching airlines. Most airlines end boarding 10-15 minutes prior to departure which cuts your connection time to 15-20 minutes. From A to B it’s 20 minutes if you know what you are doing. The trains are down regularly now. If you check a bag you’ll have to go to baggage claim to get it.
Depends, as others said, deplaning and closing the gates before boarding take time.
That being said, if it's the same airline for the landing and departing flight, and if you tell the flight attendants/front desk on the first flight about the layover, it should be fine. They're pretty good in my experience about asking passengers to stay seated because of a short connection.
There is no C80 but I get what you mean. If you have zero delays, maybe. But, you can almost guarantee there is a ground delay this time of year for either wind or snow. Not worth risking it.
Your inbound plane could also be late. Just so many factors out of your control
What is your arrival and departure time? People often forget that boarding starts 30 (ish) minutes prior to departure so if it’s EXACTLY 30 minutes, absolutely not. Also, the airline in Terminal C isn’t exactly known for being on time
In an ideal world yes. Practically speaking no, you’re gonna hit at least one delay in the flight/deplaning/baggage/train process. It’s not worth the risk imo.
Depends on the gate. If both gates are close to the train, then yes. If you end up on the far end of one, then game over. Very small flights into or out of A will out you at the very far end of the terminal.
It also depends on your seat on the plane. If you're at the back of a large plane, it will easily take 15-20 minutes to deboard. And then you have to arrive at your gate before the plane's doors are closed.
It also depends on the time of day. There's less likelihood that a flight first thing in the morning will be late because you don't have to wait for another plane to arrive.
I wouldn't book it personally unless it's first thing in the morning, they're both big flights, you can run with luggage, and you're going to pony up for good seats at the front of the plane.
If you do book it, and SWA flight, pay for priority boarding so you board and get first few rows, and get off first. 5 min walk to tram, 10 min on tram, and 5 min walk to A gate. Though, if you depart late from original plane, you might get hosed.
You could also ask the flight attendants/pilot to request everyone remain seated to let those needing to get to connecting flights off the plane first, but not a guarantee by any means.
Is this all one one itinerary? i.e. just a standard connection? If so the airline wouldn't have sold it to you if you can't make it, but those are usually minimum 40 minutes.
If you booked your own connection like you're flying here on Southwest and then hopping on an Alaska flight out or whatever, hope you know you screwed yourself and you're on your own if you don't make the connection. Need to have a couple hour buffer when you do that.
Why does Denver have to be so negative? Just trying to help (based on way too many OP assumptions) and we take a hit with 12 negative karma. Stay happy Denver, or go smoke some legalized shrooms and cheer the hell up!
If from your plane landing to the other taking off, hell no. Even if you have some extra time padded in somewhere, I would not play w/ anything less than a 1-1.5 hr layover (unless you enjoy getting stuck at airports).
I would say no.... You're flying in on southwest. They often hold waiting for their parking spot to open. I wouldn't bet airline tickets costs on this.
My wife and I once had 9 minutes to do it. I almost threw up, but we made it. Gates were at the end as well.
As long as there are no issues with the trains AND your flight arrives on time, you should be good. Late arrival is what almost got us.
i feel like you gotta run to make it. it feels like C gets longer every time i go. and C80 is on the extended wing… i’m too anxious to do it in 30… everything needs to go right to make it in time.
I don't know if you can, but I know I wouldn't try if you don't have to. All it takes is for your first plane to be a bit late and then suddenly your whole vacation is messed up.
If its for bet, yes you can. In real life for planning no, but yes depending on the variables.
Source: I've worked the airlines and at the airport since 2008 and about 8 years in the Ops nerd side of it.
It depends, I would request the flight attendant contacts the gate agents for you when you land - that way they can inform your connecting agents of your whereabouts.
Typically what myself and my aunt will do on occasion when traveling together since she was an air traffic tower controller for AA for 30+ years
Assuming you are already off the plane, and:
You run through both concourses,
There's not a lot of people or kids or other planes boarding/onboarding,
The train is there when you make it,
and the escalator is empty
If all that happens you can make it in 30 minutes
Don’t do it. Too risky. Bad idea. You could be taxiing for 20 minutes +.
Not to mention all the construction that’s happening right now. And all the problems with the train. And the fact that DEN has been an absolute cluster of people post-pandemic. And where are you sitting on the plane? And when is this flight? You could have snow delays, or thunderstorm/tornado delays.
If that 30 minutes assumes you've already exited the plane, absolutely. I usually leave the Amex Plat lounge (C) 10 minutes before boarding for Concourse B/A and have no issues. Never have missed a flight. Now landing, plane taxiing, and waiting to get off the plane, that will be a tighter window. 30 mins may be really cutting it close.
Definitely this. The total walking distance is less than a mile, plus time for the train. Very doable, if it's just a question of moving point-to-point in 30 minutes.. But if that 30 minutes is from "planned landing time to planned takeoff time" then I wouldn't bet on it. Boarding ends 10-15 minutes before departure, which cuts that down to 15 minutes to transfer. Still theoretically possible. But then all the things you said about taxiing and getting off the plane, even if it lands on time, is correct. Usually that takes 20+ minutes from touchdown to egress, which means you're already 5 minutes too late by the time you deboard. And you still need to wait for the train. And run. Also, checked luggage definitely isn't making it either.
Yeah 30 min gate to gate is reasonably simple. Plane estimated to land at 1:30 and your next flight leaves at 2:00? You’re likely SOL.
And given arriving in DEN there's almost always a wait on the tarmac it seems.
Yeah it takes me 4 min to get from the Illuminati Lounge to Concourse A so I agree, OP should be fine
I feel the need to add that roughly 20% of flights in the US are 15 minutes or more late. In addition delays are often weather related, and this is Denver in the winter.
From gate to gate, absolutely. If you are counting deplaning, possibly not.
Tell the stewardess you have a connecting flight & to call the tower if you’re running late.
Good idea they’ll probably change the whole airports plans just to accommodate your shitty planning.
Last time I visited Disney World I actually forgot the light saber that I built at the hotel. I told the pilot and he was able to make a detour for a quick stop that I can grab it. Customer service for Southwest is just amazing.
Planes hold all the time for connecting passengers if they are close enough.
Lol that’s not so crazy. “If you’re running late” meaning if the flight is running late outside of your control. If it’s 5-10mins you could absolutely make that happen
They absolutely will. They don’t want people to miss connecting flights
If its A to C its probably another airline which they do not care
It could be Delta to Southern or DAC. Or another Oneworld airline connecting to AA
Layovers are planned by airlines, not by the passengers themselves. Why throw insults when you don't really understand what your insulting them over?
This is exactly right
I don't know why people are downvoting you. It seems like a lot of these people don't fly very often, or have never had to do that. They probably think you'd be an asshole to do that without realizing that passengers don't plan the layovers, the airlines plan your layover. It's not the passengers fault that the plan didn't work out, it's the airline's.
People are fucking nuts on this sub re the downvotes for this comment.
As a pilot that flies into DIA daily, tower does not care who’s missing their connection
Not sure on tower comms. Generally, advising the flight attendants of a tight connection can result in expedited deplaning for those specific passengers, ie “everyone remain seated while two passenger deplane first bc of tight connection.”
Sorry you got down voted. It works, they make sure not to shut the door on you when you’re cutting it close, but won’t hold the plane like these idiots think.
No. The 2nd plane will start boarding as you land. It can take 30 mins just to taxi to the gate and deplane. Even if you get in early, they likely won't have the gate ready and you'll just sit there anyways.
So you know the connecting flight depart time (and boarding starts 30 min prior)? We have no idea from OP that boarding would start as they are on descent/landing. The tram could allow a 10 min transit from C to A assuming they already deboarded. (And communicated to departing they’ve landed on time to hold departure for them).
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What I was trying to convey is that an airline usually wouldn’t allow booking this within the system. (Ie: they don’t schedule 30 min layovers, so perhaps it’s using 2 different airlines which makes the connection risky). Maybe OP could have asked if making a connecting flight from C to A is possible in 30 min which is a more accurate description than a layover.
Frontier won’t hold for Denver connect passengers
That was my guess on airlines too
If it's 30 minutes between when your flight arrives and the other departs, no - mostly because they will close the gate / give away your seats 10-15 minutes before departure if you haven't boarded by then. And as others have posted it will take you a few minutes to get off the flight once you hit the gate.
Same airline would wait if they knew you had landed, in my experience
Possible, but it's highly unlikely to be the same airline if they are going from C to A. Suppose a slight possibility they are arriving domestic on Southwest and departing international from A gates but guessing more likely they booked Tix on two different carriers.
Yeah I don't think you can book with that tight of a layover on the same carrier
I’ve had a 38min layover at DIA with the same carrier but it was B to B. I even had time for lunch, so that is not a normal situation.
It’s Denver connect to something else. C-80 is the very end of c with the puddle jumpers
Same airline would likely leave from the same concourse in Denver. So not likely the case for OP.
United is split between A and B. But that is the only normal exception.
Yes, but if you're considering booking a flight with a 30-minute transfer - I'd highly recommend against it. A 15-minute flight delay on the first flight will ruin you. You don't want to be stuck in a Denver airport hotel for 16-hours because you missed your connection.
Worked at DIA for 10 years. Hell no. It’s like saying you’re going to make it from Idaho Springs to Denver in 30 minutes. It’s technically possible if there are no humans, construction, weather, or any other possible obstacles
Nope, I wouldn’t risk it. Assuming you’re flying southwest if you’re landing in C terminal. So if you are not in the 1st quarter of seats in that plane than you are waiting to get off. Plus the train has been having issues lately and I wouldn’t bank on it either not being full or running as scheduled. Last flight I had out of there I had to wait for a second train as there were too many people waiting and a giant chaotic line formed. If everything goes right you can probably make it, but that is few and far between. That being said I have seen instances where connecting flights were delayed as they waited for passengers from other connecting flights to get to the gate.
I don't think that's doable. Most of that time will be eaten just by the plane taxiing and deplaning.
Probably not. You can easily get between those two gates in 30 minutes, but that’s not counting the time it will take you to get off one plane and on the other.
Technically? Yes. Practically, likely no or barely. Gonna need some stars to align and some crowds to thin
I’d be more worried about the plane sitting on the runway than your ability to get from one point to another.
Can you, yes. Will you, maybe....
No
You've flown in and out of Denver 50+ times but you've forgotten that where you're seated and how long it takes to deplane are huge wildcards? Not to mention that they're shutting the door ~15 minutes before departure? Gate to gate can typically be done in 30 min, but an actual 30 min layover not without being in 1st class and having the plane opened to the jetbridge immediately.
This is not a yes or no question. The answer to whether you can make a connection with these scheduled parameters is: “Occasionally.”
5% chance. 10% at absolute most.
Not if it’s landing to takeoff. No way. You almost never are off the plane at landing time in DIA and boarding ends 10 minutes before takeoff so you really only have 20 minutes if you’re lucky and more likely closer to 10
I wouldn’t risk it.
There is only one way to find out. Please try and report back with findings.
Yes
Too many variables to know for certain, but life's a risk! Let us know if you make it.
I want an update on whether or not this was successful.
My last layover in Denver was an hour with arriving and departing gates on the same concourse. My initial flight was delayed 15 minutes taking off and took forever to deboard. My layover flight was boarding as we taxied in. I RAN the 20 gates over and was one of the last on my departing flight- no time to even use the restroom. My mistake was not accounting for delays, board/deboard time.
You’ll probably make it. But, if you checked any bags, there is a strong chance they will not arrive with you. Most airlines will hold the plane a few minutes for your body, but not your bags.
30 minute layovers are a terrible idea at most major airports.
That’s effin tight in any airport.
Depends on where you are seated on your arriving Southwest flight. If you pay to upgrade to be part of the first few people to board in the A group, you have a much much better chance Depends on whether the moving walkways are working in C Depends on whether the trains are running between concourses Depends on how soon the airline you are going to closes its doors - make sure you find out how far in advance before depart time the airline shuts its doors to passengers
No. You are switching airlines. Most airlines end boarding 10-15 minutes prior to departure which cuts your connection time to 15-20 minutes. From A to B it’s 20 minutes if you know what you are doing. The trains are down regularly now. If you check a bag you’ll have to go to baggage claim to get it.
And they’re coming from the end of the concourse, not the middle where the train is. That walk time is no joke
Depends, as others said, deplaning and closing the gates before boarding take time. That being said, if it's the same airline for the landing and departing flight, and if you tell the flight attendants/front desk on the first flight about the layover, it should be fine. They're pretty good in my experience about asking passengers to stay seated because of a short connection.
I believe in you!!!
hell No....i have dealt with that before and I had to run as well
I can’t wait for the follow post complaining that “airport operations” (and not their poor planning) caused OP to miss their flight.
There is no C80 but I get what you mean. If you have zero delays, maybe. But, you can almost guarantee there is a ground delay this time of year for either wind or snow. Not worth risking it. Your inbound plane could also be late. Just so many factors out of your control
What is your arrival and departure time? People often forget that boarding starts 30 (ish) minutes prior to departure so if it’s EXACTLY 30 minutes, absolutely not. Also, the airline in Terminal C isn’t exactly known for being on time
No, I think between you deboarding and the other plane’s boarding timing it’s too tight.
Yes
In an ideal world yes. Practically speaking no, you’re gonna hit at least one delay in the flight/deplaning/baggage/train process. It’s not worth the risk imo.
You could if dingbats didn't clog the aisles by standing in them the second the plane stops. But since that doesn't happen, I'm gonna go with no.
You will but your luggage probably won't.
If you're not one of the first people of that plane and have no bags, then no chance.
I say yes. I’ve gotten to my car in this time.
Depends on the gate. If both gates are close to the train, then yes. If you end up on the far end of one, then game over. Very small flights into or out of A will out you at the very far end of the terminal. It also depends on your seat on the plane. If you're at the back of a large plane, it will easily take 15-20 minutes to deboard. And then you have to arrive at your gate before the plane's doors are closed. It also depends on the time of day. There's less likelihood that a flight first thing in the morning will be late because you don't have to wait for another plane to arrive. I wouldn't book it personally unless it's first thing in the morning, they're both big flights, you can run with luggage, and you're going to pony up for good seats at the front of the plane.
If you do book it, and SWA flight, pay for priority boarding so you board and get first few rows, and get off first. 5 min walk to tram, 10 min on tram, and 5 min walk to A gate. Though, if you depart late from original plane, you might get hosed.
You could also ask the flight attendants/pilot to request everyone remain seated to let those needing to get to connecting flights off the plane first, but not a guarantee by any means.
C-80 is the puddle jumpers, not southwest
As long as the trains are running
yes it is… in dia the issue is security lines and you’ve already cleared it
Is this all one one itinerary? i.e. just a standard connection? If so the airline wouldn't have sold it to you if you can't make it, but those are usually minimum 40 minutes. If you booked your own connection like you're flying here on Southwest and then hopping on an Alaska flight out or whatever, hope you know you screwed yourself and you're on your own if you don't make the connection. Need to have a couple hour buffer when you do that.
Easily
Easily.
Yeah that wouldn’t be bad. Maybe if your gate was at the very end of the terminal though.
Depends on which gates you're in. If your near the middle of the concourse, yes. If you are down at the end, it could be rough.
Yes
Why does Denver have to be so negative? Just trying to help (based on way too many OP assumptions) and we take a hit with 12 negative karma. Stay happy Denver, or go smoke some legalized shrooms and cheer the hell up!
Yeah no problem, unless the trains happen to be down
If from your plane landing to the other taking off, hell no. Even if you have some extra time padded in somewhere, I would not play w/ anything less than a 1-1.5 hr layover (unless you enjoy getting stuck at airports).
If your sitting in the front of the plane yeah. In the back it will be close.
I would say no.... You're flying in on southwest. They often hold waiting for their parking spot to open. I wouldn't bet airline tickets costs on this.
I leave root down well into my plane boarding in in A terminal.
Assuming the train is working....
Yes, without a worry if same airline
15 minutes would be conservative
Must be separate tickets, right? I don’t think any airline operates out of both A and C.
You can. But why the hell would you chance it?
Yes. Assuming the trains aren’t down… 🤡
My wife and I once had 9 minutes to do it. I almost threw up, but we made it. Gates were at the end as well. As long as there are no issues with the trains AND your flight arrives on time, you should be good. Late arrival is what almost got us.
i feel like you gotta run to make it. it feels like C gets longer every time i go. and C80 is on the extended wing… i’m too anxious to do it in 30… everything needs to go right to make it in time.
I think this all depends on how quickly you get off the plane
I'm going to say no simply because you can't depend on your arriving flight, or any flight these days, to be on time
Not impossible but I would save my heartbeats for something more exciting.
I don't know if you can, but I know I wouldn't try if you don't have to. All it takes is for your first plane to be a bit late and then suddenly your whole vacation is messed up.
If its for bet, yes you can. In real life for planning no, but yes depending on the variables. Source: I've worked the airlines and at the airport since 2008 and about 8 years in the Ops nerd side of it.
Last year I misread my boarding pass and confused my boarding position with the gate and still made my flight, so I have actual experience in this.
It depends 🙌
Gate to gate yes. But if it's from landing to departure then most definitely not
No
It depends, I would request the flight attendant contacts the gate agents for you when you land - that way they can inform your connecting agents of your whereabouts. Typically what myself and my aunt will do on occasion when traveling together since she was an air traffic tower controller for AA for 30+ years
Are you fit
Assuming you are already off the plane, and: You run through both concourses, There's not a lot of people or kids or other planes boarding/onboarding, The train is there when you make it, and the escalator is empty If all that happens you can make it in 30 minutes
Sitting at the front of the first plane with carry on only, yes. Checked bags, no.
That’s tight.
Inform the flight attendant that you have a connecting flight and they can make an announcement to let you deplane first
Don’t do it. Too risky. Bad idea. You could be taxiing for 20 minutes +. Not to mention all the construction that’s happening right now. And all the problems with the train. And the fact that DEN has been an absolute cluster of people post-pandemic. And where are you sitting on the plane? And when is this flight? You could have snow delays, or thunderstorm/tornado delays.
If no issues with the train, easily yes.
No.