We have a layover for a flight into Seattle in Denver this September. I am wondering how many people really have problems with the altitude in Denver. We only have a 40 min. layover going in and about 2 hours on the way back. I've just heard horror stories... Thanks!

I've never heard horror stories about altitude sickness from a short layover. The cabin in the plane is pressurized to 8000-10000 feet, and Denver is at around 5300 feet, so if you can handle the flight you can handle the Denver airport. You won't be there long enough to worry about it.

Denver really isn;t high enough to bother most people - unless they have underlying lung problems.

If you do start to feel a little breathless just slow down - and make sure you're hydrated. You'll only be there a brief time - and as noted - it's "lower" than the plane you're getting off of.

I've only noticed the Denver difference once (sort of)- and that was a really bad day of flying for me, anyway. But as TheWeasel said, you won't be there very long at all

Unless you have serious health problems or plan to exercise strenously during your layover, I can't imagine that you'd have altitude problems.

Jeez, I've driven from Seattle to DEN and didn't notice any problems. I agree that if you can handle a pressurized cabin, you can easily handle Denver's elevation.

I'm a Denver suburbanite and I can assure you that it's not an issue- you won't notice a thing.

Hmmm...I'm thinking, like I said before, my problem was it was just a bad day to fly. Didn't notice anything really different at Denver- Landings had been downright painful all day. And at Denver I simply...couldn't.... unplug....ugh.

Thank you for reassuring me. One of my coworkers was on a flight from Denver recently and a young man passed out just before the plane took off from what they believe was a change in the air pressure. So, I wanted to check with some other people who would have first hand experience.
Thanks again!

In fact, changing planes at DEN means one's going through less air pressure changes.

Say you fly out from Houston at sea level. During your first flight, you'll get to air pressure equivalent of 7,000-8,000 ft above sea level. When the plane lands at DEN and opens its doors, you're now at 5,300. Next fligth, you get up to 7,000-8,000 again, then down to 0 at SEA.

If you've have changed planes at say, LAX, you'd have gone through 0 - 7,000 - 0 - 7,000 - 0 instead.

I have had a mild lung problem since birth and noticed nothing unusual breathing-wise at Denver, where we spent about 3 hours. (But I also did not notice anything at Grand Canyon or Bryce).

Since it seems you have never been to Denver, I found it a nice airport with more food options than many others.

I like Denver airport too - well laid out, good food options, long straight terminals so you can get in a good walk between flights without having to weave your way around.

The only issue I ever have in Denver is with the dryness. Altitude doesn't bother me, and I live at sea level.

Why should one's attitude problem be any worse in Denver than anywhere else?

I have experienced altitude sickness in Colorado. I tend to dehydrate easily and had slacked off on my water drinking. Keep sipping water and you should have no problems.

Honestly, stop the madness! You will not get altitude sickness during a 40 minute Denver layover. I promise. Maybe MAYBE if you were staying overnight and live in a place barely above sea level but NOT during a very short layover.

when I saw this thread ttt'd, I also wanted to say "oh, please, let it go!" Unless you drive up to a ski area and ski all day (and drink booze!) or do strenuous hiking, chances are very very slim that you will ever notice anything but the dry air in Denver.

I didn't realize this would be such a tough question... I have never been to Denver and have heard a few stories from friends and coworkers the past few years who have personally had problems or knew of some people who have had problems when they've gone to Colorado. Granted it was not for just a layover, but I was just trying to be prepared (if that was possible) for the possibility if it existed.

It is not a tough question. Every single one here answered it the same way - it's not a problem. This means it's a super easy question to answer.