Denver International Airport (DEN) has emerged as one of the busiest and most well-connected airports in the world. Ranking as the third busiest airport in the United States, after Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Denver serves as a key hub for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.
While Denver’s central location makes it ideal for domestic flights, the airport has also seen significant growth in international and long-haul routes. Several global airlines, including Air France, Turkish Airlines, and Aer Lingus, have expanded their services, connecting Denver to key destinations across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
According to Cirium, an aviation analytics provider, Denver now has 11 routes that exceed 3,000 miles, operated by both U.S. and foreign carriers. Here’s a look at these longest flights from Denver, ranked by distance.
Denver International Airport’s 11 Longest Routes
| Rank | Route | Distance (Miles) | Airlines | Aircraft Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Denver – Kahului (OGG) | 3,303 | United Airlines | Boeing 777-200ER |
| 10 | Denver – Kona (KOA) | 3,329 | United Airlines | Boeing 777-200 |
| 9 | Denver – Honolulu (HNL) | 3,365 | United Airlines | Boeing 777-200ER |
| 8 | Denver – Lihue (LIH) | 3,414 | United Airlines | Boeing 757-200 |
| 7 | Denver – Reykjavík (KEF) | 3,568 | Icelandair | Boeing 737 MAX 8 |
| 6 | Denver – London Heathrow (LHR) | 4,671 | United Airlines, British Airways | Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-1000 |
| 5 | Denver – Paris (CDG) | 4,880 | Air France | Airbus A350-900 |
| 4 | Denver – Frankfurt (FRA) | 5,039 | United Airlines, Lufthansa | Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-900 |
| 3 | Denver – Munich (MUC) | 5,225 | United Airlines, Lufthansa | Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-900, Airbus A380 (seasonal) |
| 2 | Denver – Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 5,788 | United Airlines | Boeing 787-9 |
| 1 | Denver – Istanbul (IST) | 6,130 | Turkish Airlines | Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-900 |
Overview of Denver’s Longest Flights
1. Denver – Istanbul (IST) | 6,130 miles
- Airline: Turkish Airlines
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-900
- Flight Frequency: 16 flights per month, increasing to daily service in summer 2025
- Seats Available: 5,264 each way
This is Denver’s longest flight, launched in 2023. Operated by Turkish Airlines, it connects Colorado travelers to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia via Istanbul’s vast network. The route will transition to daily service in summer 2025, making it an increasingly important long-haul route.
2. Denver – Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 5,788 miles
- Airline: United Airlines
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
- Seats Available: 7,967 each way
United Airlines operates daily flights between Denver and Tokyo, offering seamless connections to Asia through its partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA).
3. Denver – Munich (MUC) | 5,225 miles
- Airlines: Lufthansa, United Airlines
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900, Airbus A380 (seasonal), Boeing 787-9
- Seats Available: 6,746 each way
Lufthansa is the primary carrier on this route, operating 22 flights per month. During the summer, Lufthansa will upgrade one of its daily flights to an Airbus A380, making it the largest aircraft operating from Denver.
4. Denver – Frankfurt (FRA) | 5,039 miles
- Airlines: United Airlines, Lufthansa
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-900
- Seats Available: United (7,967), Lufthansa (1,967)
Frankfurt is one of Denver’s busiest transatlantic routes, serving as a key hub for connections across Europe and beyond.
5. Denver – Paris (CDG) | 4,880 miles
- Airline: Air France
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
- Seats Available: 4,212 each way
Air France is the sole operator on this route, offering 13 flights per month. Unlike other European routes, United Airlines does not operate direct flights to Paris from Denver.
6. Denver – London Heathrow (LHR) | 4,671 miles
- Airlines: United Airlines, British Airways
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 (United), Airbus A350-1000 (British Airways)
- Seats Available: British Airways (8,937), United (7,967)
Both United Airlines and British Airways compete on this route, with British Airways offering the most seats.
7. Denver – Reykjavík (KEF) | 3,568 miles
- Airline: Icelandair
- Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
- Flight Frequency: 18 flights per month
Icelandair offers a seasonal service between Denver and Reykjavík, providing connections to Europe through Icelandair’s hub. The airline recently partnered with Southwest Airlines, which could boost demand for this route.
United uses Boeing 777-200ERs for most flights, except for Lihue, which is served by the smaller Boeing 757-200. The Denver-Honolulu route offers the highest seat capacity, with 14,000 seats per month.
Denver International Airport has evolved into a major long-haul hub, offering direct flights to key destinations in Europe, Asia, and Hawaii.
- United Airlines dominates long-haul travel from Denver, operating 7 out of the 11 longest routes.
- European expansion continues, with British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France increasing services.
- Turkish Airlines’ Denver-Istanbul route is now the airport’s longest flight, and its upcoming daily service will further boost connectivity.
- Hawaiian routes remain strong, with United Airlines exclusively serving the market.
As more airlines expand in Denver, the airport’s long-haul network is expected to grow, making it one of the most important U.S. aviation hubs.
