United has just opened a giant new club in Denver and plans more
By Eileen Ogintz
It’s not even 9 am on a Sunday morning and there’s barely a seat to be had.
We’re not at a popular church or brunch place. We’re at the new 600-plus seat United Club Lounge in the B-East Concourse at Denver International Airport, the largest airline lounge in the world. An average 3,600 fliers visit daily.
Just opened late last year, the 35,000 square foot, three story club is part of United’s effort—and nearly billion dollar investment to improve the customer experience in Denver. More than two-thirds of United passengers connect through Denver.
Three buffets include breakfast tacos, a yogurt and fruit bar, an avocado toast bar, oatmeal with local Colorado honey, and a bar that offers beer flights featuring a seasonal rotation of 10 local beer on tap. Most drinks are complimentary.
There are large screen TVs at the bar featuring sports. There is free Wi-Fi and plenty of space to plug in devices throughout the club.
Airport lounges have become increasingly popular with travelers. Once the purview of first-class passengers, they are now used by families as well as those who have various credit cards perks and many who pay the $59 daily rate. (One unhappy young traveler is crying but nobody seems to notice.)
Alyssa Henderson certainly thinks so. She’s flying with her year old daughter and parents to Hawaii and gladly paid the fee. Her daughter can nap, she said, or run around safely. “And she loves the food,” said Henderson who lives in Montana. “This definitely makes travel easier with a baby.”
Henderson’s mom Debbie Henderson noted they would have spent more on food in the airport.
A group of friends who work for the same company said they always meet here on Sundays. They are special fans of the seats overlooking the runway where you can stretch out and take a nap, said Doug, a Coloradan. “The most coveted seats,” he and his pal Bee agreed.
They are not only run by airlines these days either. Some are private business venture, like the membership club Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounges with 250+ locations at more than 80 airports.
This club is the second new club in Denver. Another recently opened in the A Concourse featuring a ski lodge aesthetic. There are photos, paintings, sculptures, and more that reflect Denver and the Rocky Mountains to its west. That includes the giant sculpture in the entry way inspired by cones of Colorado Blue Spruce made by Will Schlough. It’s actually created from dozens of skateboards. Another mural by Colorado artists Jaime Molina and Pedro Barrios suggests Denver through street art.
United has also unveiled a United Club Fly in Denver where you show your boarding pass and you can grab food and beverages for their flight.
United plans to open an additional renovated club location here next year, bringing Club space to nearly the size of two football fields. “We’re growing our hub in the Mile High City and the expansion and renovation of United Club locations represents our commitment to Colorado,” said Alexander Dorow, head of United’s Clubs & Lounges.
“It makes travel a lot less stressful,” said Victoria Walsh, who lives in Montana. Well worth the daily $59 pass. “I like the quiet.”
“So much less hustle and bustle,” said Alyssa Henderson.
