Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the primary international airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas, the busiest airport in the state, and the third busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic.
The airport opened in 1973 in order to consolidate air traffic for Dallas and Fort Worth and replace their separate airports: Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Fort Worth Meacham Field (FTW). The while latter only serves general aviation today, Love Field is a commercial aviation hub, most prominently used by Southwest Airlines, which you won’t find at DFW.
DFW offers nonstop service to over 250 destinations worldwide, of which over 60 are international. The airport spans over an area that is larger than the island of Manhattan, and is one of the few airports that has their own ZIP code.
In 2024, DFW saw over 87 million passengers and operated non-stop flights to more destinations than any other airport in North America.
Major Airlines - American Airlines
American Airlines operates the second-largest single airline hub in the world (only after Delta’s in Atlanta). It is the primary airline at Dallas/Fort Worth and operates flights from all 5 terminals. Together with their subsidiary brands, Envoy Air and American Eagle, they fly to over 200 destinations and capture 68% of the market at DFW.
DFW is an operating base for two prominent low-cost carriers: Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. They use Terminal E and fly to some of the busiest airports in the USA. Other low-cost airlines at DFW include the American JetBlue and Sun Country Airlines, as well as the Mexican Viva and Volaris.
Practically all US full-service airlines (except Southwest Airlines, which continues to use Dallas Love Field) have a presence at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. These include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. They all use Terminal E.
DFW hosts a wide array of international carriers, too. Some of the biggest are:
Air Canada: Uses Terminal E for its flights to Toronto and Montréal.
British Airways: Uses Terminal D for its flights to London-Heathrow.
Lufthansa: Uses Terminal D for its flights to Frankfurt.
Qatar Airways: Uses Terminal D for its flights to Doha.
Emirates: Uses Terminal D for its flights to Dubai.
Korean Air: Uses Terminal D for its flights to Seoul-Incheon.
Japan Airlines: Uses Terminal D for its flights to Tokyo-Haneda.
Air France: Uses Terminal D for its flights to Paris-CDG.
AeroMexico: Uses Terminal D for its flights to Mexico City.
In total, there are over 30 airlines that fly to a combined 260+ destinations in 5 continents.
See a full list of airlines here or discover destinations you can reach from DFW.
Terminal Layout and Gates of DFW
DFW comprises five terminals (A through E). They line up a central road (International Highway Spur 97) that roughly splits the airport in half, with Terminals A, C, and E on the east side and Terminal B and D on the west side. All terminals are designed in a semicircular layout, although Terminal D is slightly different.
Terminal A: Primarily serves the domestic flights of American Airlines. It has 26 gates.
Terminal B: Exclusively used by American Eagle for its regional flights. It has 45 gates, of which 10 are in a small satellite building.
Terminal C: Also used by American Airlines for domestic operations. It has 29 gates.
Terminal D: The main international terminal. It hosts most of the big global carriers as well as American Airlines’ international flights. It has 33 gates.
Terminal E: Accommodates multiple domestic (e.g., Alaska Airlines, Delta, Spirit, etc.) and Air Canada. An adjacent satellite building helps Terminal E. In total, there are 41 gates here, 15 of which are inside the satellite building.
A sixth terminal, Terminal F, is under development with an expected partial opening in 2027 and full completion by 2030.
This terminal will have 15 gates, new lounges, and enhanced connectivity with Terminal D via the Skylink light rail system. American Airlines has agreed to occupy all 15 gates for most of its international flights.
The airport is also rebuilding and expanding Terminal C and enlarging Terminal A.
Transport between the terminals
DFW's Skylink is a free, high-speed light rail system operating inside the secure area (i.e., airside), connecting all five terminals with trains arriving every two minutes and a maximum ride time of nine minutes between farthest points.
If you’re moving outside the secure area (i.e, landside), the Terminal Link free shuttle vans provide service between terminals. You can recognize the buses by their distinctive orange color. They run every 10 minutes between 5 AM and 12 AM. Their stops are on the upper level for all terminals except Terminal D, where the buses stop on the lower level.
Walking between terminals A, B, C, and D is possible (both airside and landside), with approximate times of around 20 minutes between adjacent terminals. Distances are great at DFW, so walking is a viable option only between terminals next to each other.
Connecting Flights and Layovers at DFW
The idea of a layover at an airport that’s larger than Manhattan may seem daunting, but it’s really not that difficult. The airport is well-organized, and interterminal transportation is frequent and fast (see above).
For domestic connections, when flying into and leaving via the same terminal, a minimum layover of 40 minutes is generally sufficient. Should you need to change terminals, you are probably looking at a minimum of 1 hour between flights. That being said, if your two tickets are booked together under the same PNR and operated by the same airline (most likely American Airlines at DFW), you shouldn’t worry about minimum connecting time as much.
Uniquely, US airports require all international arrivals to recheck luggage for onward domestic flights, even if operated by the same carrier. Similarly, there are no special transit facilities for international transfers at DFW. If you’re arriving from abroad (usually at Terminal D), you’ll end up outside the secure area (landside) after clearing Immigration and Customs.
Afterwards, you need to recheck your bags at the flight connections bag drop area (if applicable), reclear security, and take the Skylink to your connecting terminal or move between the terminals outside using the Terminal Link and enter your new terminal.
The minimum connecting time for international to domestic (or vice versa) flights is 1 hour.
Wi-Fi at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport
DFW provides complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout all terminals and common areas of the airport.
The two networks you can use are called "DFW Public 5G Wi-Fi" and "DFW Public 6E Wi-Fi".
Selecting either of them will automatically launch your web browser. To connect, simply accept the terms and conditions and enter your email address for the Airport's newsletter. You can easily unsubscribe later.
Dining Options at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport
DFW houses over 200 dining establishments, ranging from fast food to upscale restaurants. Note that there are very few options before Security (landside).
Terminal D stands out as one of the best places to eat at DFW due to its handling of most international flights. That said, we believe you can find something for any budget at each of the 5 (soon 6) terminals, so here’s one place per price range per terminal:
Terminal A
Budget-friendly: McDonald’s near Gate A17.
Midrange: Salt Lick Bar-B-Que near Gate A16.
High: Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen near Gate A24.
Terminal B
Budget-friendly: Smashburger near Gate B12.
Midrange: Chili's Too near Gate B20.
High: Hickory by Kent Rathbun near Gate B25.
Terminal C
Budget-friendly: Urban Taco near Gate C22.
Midrange: TGI Friday's near Gate C29.
High: Pappadeaux Seafood Bar and Kitchen near Gate C14.
Terminal D
Budget-friendly: Chick-fil-A in the dining area between Gates D11-D20.
Midrange: Cantina Laredo near Gate D24.
High: III Forks Prime Steakhouse near Gate D27, upper level.
Terminal E
Budget-friendly: Whataburger near Gate E27.
Midrange: TGI Friday's near Gate E17.
High: Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse near Gate E13.
There are, of course, dozens of coffee shops, pastry and dessert shops, small food kiosks, and other fast food outlets spread around the airport.
Lounges at DFW Airport
With so many flights, airlines, and multinational passengers flying into and out of Dallas/Fort Worth, it’s no surprise that there are almost 20 lounges at the airport, with at least 1 in each terminal.
Expectedly, American Airlines, the dominant airline at DFW, has an American Airlines Admirals Club branch at each of the 5 terminals. These premium lounges provide more comfortable places to relax than the outside areas, complimentary food and drinks, full-service bars, showers (except the lounge in Terminal E), conference rooms (except the lounge in Terminal D), and other amenities.
The AA Admirals Clubs are located as follows:
Near gate A24. Open from 4 AM to 10:15 PM.
Near gate B3: Daily from 5:30 AM to 10:15 PM.
Near gate C20: Daily from 5 AM to 10:15 PM.
Near gate D24: Daily from 5 AM to 10:15 PM.
On the mezzanine level of the Satellite building of Terminal E. Open Daily from 6 AM to 10:15 PM.
These lounges are accessible to anyone flying on American Airlines or a partner airline for 79 USD, though various premium memberships may grant complimentary access.
American Airlines also operates the Flagship Lounge in Terminal D, which offers an even more enhanced experience, especially when it comes to dining. At a day rate of 150 USD, you can expect a lot, and you still won’t be let down.
Other lounges at DFW include:
The Centurion Lounge in Terminal D, across from Gate D12. It’s open daily from 5:30 AM to 10 PM to serve holders of premium American Express credit cards.
Capital One Lounge in Terminal D, near Gate D22. It provides a modern space with curated dining options and is open to all passengers between 5 AM and 10 PM for a fee of 65 USD (3-hour pass).
The Club DFW in Terminal D, near Gate D27, is accessible to Priority Pass members. It’s open from 4 AM until 10:30 AM.
Delta Sky Club in Terminal E, near Gate E10, serves Delta passengers. Its opening hours are between 4:45 AM and 7:15 PM from Sunday to Friday, and from 4:15 AM until 6:30 PM on Saturdays.
United Club in Terminal E, near Gate E6, is available to United Airlines passengers. Open from 4:30 AM until 7:45 PM.
USO Center in Terminal B, opposite Gate B47, serves active military members and their families. It’s open between 8 AM to 10:30 PM but closes at 7 PM on weekends.
Several establishments provide an experience different than the standard premium airport lounge.
For example, the Minute Suites in Terminal A (near Gate A38) and in Terminal D (near Gate D23) offer showers and daybeds in suites that can accommodate up to 4 people. They are open 24/7 and present a suitable place for a nap between flights or during a layover.
An option that will appeal to the younger audience and those into video games is the Gameway Lounge. There are 2 locations - one in Terminal B near gate B42 and one in Terminal E, near Gate E16. If you want to kill time by playing a game on a large flat-screen 4K TV, this is the place to visit.
On the other end of the relaxation spectrum are the two Be Relax Spas, which you can take advantage of using Priority Pass. One is in Terminal B next to Gate B28, and the other is in Terminal D next to Gate D21. You can pick between a back, hand, or foot massage.
Transportation options at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport
Most people arrive or leave the airport by car. The International Parkway (State Highway 97 Spur) runs straight through the airport, connecting with Airport Freeway (State Highway 183) to the south and John W. Carpenter Freeway (State Highway 114) to the north. Carry cash to pay for the tolls.
On the other hand, not having your own car is not a cause for concern. Public transport is well organized at DFW, connecting the airport with various places in the metroplex, both eastbound towards Dallas and westbound towards Fort Worth.
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit): Provides light rail service to downtown Dallas. Bus Route 230 is also operated by DART and provides direct services to the Heritage Crossing Station in downtown Irving.
TEXRail: Connects DFW to downtown Fort Worth.
Trinity Railway Express (TRE): Offers service between Dallas and Fort Worth, stopping at the airport.
Taxis and ridesharing services are available on the lower level of all terminals. An attendant can help you take a taxi or find the pick-up locations for Uber or Lyft between 8:00 AM and midnight. A trip to downtown Dallas normally costs around 55-60 USD, or to Fort Worth, around 45-50.
Transfers and charters are also available, both on demand and when pre-booked. You can find more information about private transfers from DFW here.
Last but not least, DFW's Rental Car Center, located on the south side of the airport, houses 11 rental companies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Sixt, and Hertz. It is accessible via shuttle from all terminals. The center itself is open 24/7, although individual companies may observe separate working hours.
Parking at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport
Several options exist for convenient parking inside the territory of the airport. From terminal parking that brings you as close as possible to the terminals, to economical remote parking, there is something to suit any need and budget.
Here is a short summary of the available options:
Terminal Parking: One parking lot is adjacent to each terminal. These are as close as possible to the gates. The parking fee is 14 USD for the first 2 hours or 32 USD per day.
Express Parking: Located at both ends of the airport (although the south parking lot is closed for renovations), and provides covered and uncovered spaces with shuttle service to all terminals. It costs 3 USD to park here for the first 2 hours with a daily cap of 18 USD (uncovered) or 21 USD (covered).
Remote Parking: The best value option for longer stays. Also located on both ends of the airport, with an option for a shuttle service to all terminals. The daily rate is 14 USD.
Valet Parking: Available at all terminals with "scan and go" drop-off service (no cash accepted). Look for the 1-hour zones of the garages on the Arrivals level for Terminal A, B, C, and E, or curbside on the Departures level for Terminal D. A valet agent will meet you there. The daily rate is 45 USD.
Cell Phone Lots: Free parking areas for drivers awaiting arriving passengers. One is available at each end of the airport, with driving time to the terminals of approximately 5 minutes.
Save up to 50% if you pre-book your stay at any of the parking lots (minimum stay of 6 hours).
Off-site parking options are also available, with rates as low as $3.50 per day.
Hotels near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Two hotels are located inside the airport:
Grand Hyatt DFW: Located within Terminal D with direct terminal access and premium, 4-star amenities, including a rooftop pool, complimentary breakfast, free parking, and a bathtub in most rooms. Perfect if flying internationally.
Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport: Adjacent to Terminal C, with complimentary shuttle service to any of the other terminals. Also provides a high-class, 4-star experience with standout service, and the beds continuously receive high praise.
At the south end of the airport, you will find the Hyatt Place DFW. It offers a free shuttle to all terminals and presents itself as a little cheaper option to its namesake hotels inside the airport.
You will find dozens, if not hundreds, more hotels both north and south of the airport, most of which operate their own shuttles to the airport. To see more hotels near DFW, click here.
Dallas, TX, USA
