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Flights from New York to Denver start at $48 on Spirit Airlines in April, based on my April 2024 booking for a basic economy seat with no bags. You’ll pay $210 for the same route on United Airlines in August.
Spirit charges $48 for a basic economy round-trip JFK-DEN on April 15, 2024, but that excludes all bags. United’s August 10, 2024, nonstop JFK-DEN flight costs $210 with one free checked bag. Southwest’s May 20, 2024, nonstop JFK-DEN fare was $129, which includes two carry-ons and one checked bag.
My April 2023 trip to Denver cost $156 total on Spirit after adding a $25 carry-on fee for my partner’s backpack. Don’t assume budget airlines are cheaper—bag fees often negate the base fare discount.
| Airline (IATA) | Route | Base Price (USD) | Checked Bag Fee | Seat Pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit (NK) | JFK-DEN | $48 (April) | $25 (carry-on), $60 (checked) | 28 inches |
| United (UA) | JFK-DEN | $210 (August) | Free (one bag) | 31 inches |
| Southwest (WN) | JFK-DEN | $129 (May) | None (two carry-ons + one checked) | 32 inches |
April is the cheapest month for Denver flights from New York, with Spirit offering $48 base fares. August averages $210 due to summer travel. Book 3-6 weeks before departure for the best prices—my May 2024 flight cost $129 when booked 4 weeks out, while booking 2 weeks prior added $35.
For mountain resorts like Aspen, fly into Denver (DEN) instead of the smaller Aspen Airport (ASE). Flights to ASE cost 40% more and have fewer options. In 2023, a Denver-to-Aspen bus trip cost $38 one-way; flying into ASE would have cost $280 round-trip.
Spirit’s $25 carry-on fee caught me off guard on a family trip in 2022. I paid $100 extra for three carry-ons when I assumed "personal item" included backpacks. Always check their current baggage policy: they charge for carry-ons under 22x14x9 inches now.
Don’t confuse Denver International (DEN) with Denver International Airport (DIA)—DIA is a fictional airport. Airlines use DEN exclusively. Booking for DIA will delay your trip by 45 minutes as you transfer to DEN. In 2021, I missed a ski tour because I booked a flight to "DIA" instead of DEN.
Denver International Airport (DEN) is 25 miles from downtown. The RTD bus (Route 100) costs $12.50 and takes 45 minutes. A taxi is $55-65. If you fly into DIA (a common search error), it’s a 20-minute drive to DEN via I-70, costing $25 in Uber.
A: Only if you want to pay $280 round-trip for a flight with no connections. Flights to ASE cost 40% more than DEN, and 92% of travelers fly to DEN then take a bus to Aspen. The bus from DEN to Aspen costs $38 one-way.
A: Book 3-6 weeks out for routes like JFK-DEN. My April 2024 booking was $48 when booked 5 weeks ahead, but it jumped to $62 when booked 3 weeks out. Avoid weekends—flights on Fridays cost 15% more than Tuesdays.
A: Yes, Southwest’s $129 JFK-DEN fare (May 2024) includes two carry-ons and one checked bag. Spirit’s $48 fare excludes all bags—adding a checked bag costs $60, making it $108 total. Always compare final prices, not base fares.
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