Layover, delayed flight at DIA? Unique things to see in every concourse

DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver International Airport is an entertaining airport to spend time at with plenty of history and conspiracy theories, and unique things to see in every concourse.

DIA is one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world. Last year, the travel hub saw record-breaking traffic with over 82,000 people traveling through DIA.

Between heavy traffic, flight schedule adjustments and Colorado’s moody weather, thousands of flights are subject to delay every day. Recently, over 1,000 flights were delayed one day during a mid-April snowstorm that brought half an inch of snow to the airport.

Travelers may end up spending more time at DIA than intended with lengthy layovers and delayed flights. Luckily, there is a lot to see at DIA — from Blucifer greeting drivers as they approach the airport, gargoyles watching over the baggage claim, and unique art in each concourse and in between.

Here are some neat things you can find during your travels through DIA, no matter which gate your flight is in.

Jeppsen Terminal

If arriving at the airport by vehicle, you may notice a large bright blue mustang with glowing red eyes. That sculpture is Mustang, aka Blucifer, and it has become an iconic symbol and storied piece of the Mile High City. The artist, Luis Jimenez, was killed by a fallen piece of the 9,000 lb. sculpture in 2006 and his family completed the construction in 2008.

There is a lot of art to see in the main terminal. One traveler’s favorite includes the recently returned “Notre Denver” gargoyles that watch over baggage claim. The cast bronze sculptures are perched inside elevated suitcases located on level 5 between doors 506 and 508 on the west side and doors 507 and 509 on the east side.

Before you leave the main terminal, be sure to look up at the unique ceiling. The massive white tent was both a utility and aesthetic choice for the airport’s design and has been named both one of the ugliest buildings in the U.S. and one of the favorite American architectural landmarks.

In the tunnels

When traveling between concourses on the trains, travelers may notice fan-like objects along the tunnel walls. This is part of the Kinetic Air Light Curtain installation, which includes 5,280 propellers made of reflective stainless steel and about 12 inches in diameter each. They are laid in a grid system that changes configurations as the train passes, and the propellers spin and reflect light in the wind.

Another installation in the tunnels, Deep Time / Deep Space, is a mile-long light sculpture that adorns the walls with illuminated images inspired by Colorado’s industrial and social history.

Concourse A

Some art exhibitions around the airport are temporary and are changed out occasionally, and others are more permanent installations that travelers can count on seeing every visit.

The “Dual Meridian” installation, located in the center of Concourse A near the train station, reflects historic modes of transportation connecting with a vision of space-age future flight. It features curved train tracks and indigenous Colorado stones on one side and concrete landforms and a tiled global map projection on the other, with a titanium arch in between.

The “Spirit of the People: A Native American Exhibition,” located in the Y-Juncture Gallery on level 5, tells the story of the region’s Native Americans through 90 works of art, including paintings, photos, murals and music.

Concourse B

When travelers first get off the train in Concourse B, they are greeted by a statue of John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr., a star football player at the University of Colorado who became the command module pilot on the NASA moon flight Apollo XIII. He famously said “Houston, we have a problem here,” before maneuvering the crippled spaceship to a safe landing, according to DIA.

A hanging 26-foot-long colorful sculpture of nearly 200 upcycled luggage pieces donated by Coloradans was unveiled on the east side of the B gates near Gate B60 earlier this year.

“It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” is “inspired by the idea that life is always in motion, with our luggage symbolizing the cherished items we carry through our journeys,” the website states.

Watch your step when walking through the B Gates. Scattered on the floor throughout the concourse are small bronze images that make up the “21st Century Artifacts” installation, depicting indigenous fossils, Native American symbols and names of notable Colorado areas.

Concourse C

Right above the train station at the C Gates is an interior garden installation. It features plants, sculptural and architectural elements “to convey a connection to human history, the cycle of life and the natural world,” the DIA website states. The best view can be found on level 2.

Concourse C is also home to DIA’s first kids’ play area, located near Gate C48. It opened last year and has an outer space and alien theme, a nod to the airport’s many conspiracy theories.

Another installation hanging from the ceiling near Gate C28, “Vorticity,” uses geometry to transform physical and perpetual space, creating distinct and unique views from all different angles.

Where to find outdoor patios, pet relief areas at DIA

There’s a place to get some fresh air in every concourse of the airport. The outdoor deck spaces include seating, fire pits and a pet relief area, and are great for relaxing and watching airplanes. Smoking is not allowed in these areas.

Here’s a list of where the outdoor decks can be found throughout the airport. Click the links included below for walking directions.

• Concourse A: Far west side near Gate A15, level 2
• Concourse B: Far west side near Gate B7, level 2
• Concourse C: East side near Gate C67, level 2

DIA therapy animals

The Canine Airport Therapy Squad, or CATS, is a team comprised of over 90 furry friends, including therapy dogs and one cat. The airport said CATS is there to improve customers’ days and anyone is invited to ease travel stress by hugging and petting the animals.

Volunteer CATS handlers can be found in the main terminal or in the gates, depending on the day. Usually, the airport will post where and when CATS team members will be available on its social media pages, including on X.

Caroline Roach pets standard poodle Halston at Denver International Airport on Thursday, September 15, 2022. DIAs CATS program (Canine Animal Therapy Squad) is the nations largest airport animal therapy program. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

They are also available to help passengers with airport-related questions and sometimes they hand out trading cards.

Should you get stuck at DIA due to a delay, these sites could help keep you entertained. The airport has an interactive map on the website that travelers can use to get around each concourse and locate restaurants, stores, charging stations, restrooms and nursing rooms, pet relief areas, places to relax and more.

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