Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the main international airport for the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and North Texas region in Texas. It is located about 16 miles northwest of Downtown Dallas and 20 miles northeast of Downtown Fort Worth.

The airport is the largest hub for American Airlines, which has its headquarters nearby. In 2022 and 2023, DFW was the second-busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic. It serves as an important gateway for international travel, being the eighth-busiest international gateway in the United States and the busiest in Texas.

Spreading across parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties, DFW covers 17,207 acres, making it the second-largest airport in the United States by land area. The airport offers flights to 269 destinations from many airlines and is the largest carbon neutral airport in the world.

History

Planning

In the 1920s, Dallas wanted to build a shared airport with Fort Worth, but Fort Worth chose to build its own, called Love Field in Dallas and Meacham Field in Fort Worth. In 1940, money was set aside to build a new regional airport, but plans changed over the years. After World War II, Fort Worth built a new airport called Amon Carter Field. By the 1960s, Dallas had much more air traffic than Fort Worth, leading to discussions about a joint airport.

Finally, in 1966, the cities bought land for a new airport. Construction began in 1969, and the airport was named after the North Texas Commission. Voters approved the plan, but many in Dallas were happy with Love Field and didn’t want to change. After talks, the cities created a board to run the new airport.

Opening and early operations

DFW opened its doors on January 13, 1974, after costing $875 million to build. It was the largest airport in the world at the time, covering 17,500 acres. The first flight landed from New York, stopping in Memphis and Little Rock along the way. The airport had four terminals and many airlines began using it right away.

Deregulation era

After rules changed in the airline industry, American Airlines made DFW its main hub in 1981. The airline moved its headquarters closer to the airport. Delta Air Lines also used DFW as a hub but later reduced its operations.

The Wright Amendment

For many years, rules known as the Wright Amendment limited flights from Love Field to nearby states only. This helped American Airlines at DFW by reducing competition. Over time, these rules changed, allowing more flights from Love Field. In 2014, the rules ended, but DFW still saw growth in passengers.

20th century expansion

Delta added a small satellite terminal to its area in 1989. The airport also added new runways and extended existing ones. By the late 1990s, DFW had 118 gates and was busy with many flights.

21st century operations

In 2000, the airport renamed its terminals. American Airlines built a new satellite terminal for smaller flights. Delta closed its hub at DFW in 2004 and focused on other airports. In 2005, Terminal D opened for international flights, and a new people mover system began operating.

DFW completed major renovations of its terminals between 2011 and 2017. In 2018, the airport opened its first emergency room. In 2023, the airport served over 81 million passengers, a new record.

Future

DFW is planning new terminals and improvements to keep up with growing numbers of travelers. Terminal F, the sixth terminal, will open between 2024 and 2026. More changes are planned through 2028 to make sure the airport can handle even more passengers in the future.

Composition and facilities

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport spreads over four cities: Grapevine, Irving, Euless, and Coppell, covering about 8,000 acres.

Terminals

DFW has six terminals with 224 gates, all located in Grapevine. These terminals are arranged in a half-circle to help travelers get to the planes faster and reduce traffic on the main roads. The Skylink automated people mover connects all terminals, taking about seven minutes to travel between them.

American Airlines uses all six terminals. Most other U.S. airlines use Terminal E, while international airlines mainly use Terminal D. Terminal D is the main international terminal and has special facilities for international travelers. It also has a gate large enough for the Airbus A380 airplane.

Hotels

There are several hotels near DFW. The Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport has 811 rooms and is next to Terminal C. The Grand Hyatt DFW opened in 2005 and is directly above Terminal D, making it easy for guests to reach the airport. Another Hyatt hotel, Hyatt Place, is located on the south side of the airport.

Ground transportation

DFW has many ways to get around. There are highways like International Parkway, Texas State Highway 183, Texas State Highway 114, Texas State Highway 121, Interstate 635, and the Sam Rayburn Tollway that connect the airport to nearby areas.

Public transportation includes trains and buses. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Trinity Metro operate several rail lines to and from the airport. There are also bus services to help travelers get around. A consolidated rental car facility at the south end of the airport opened in March 2000 and is connected to all terminals by shuttle buses.

Other facilities

The airport has its own police, fire, and emergency medical services. There is also a cargo facility where companies like China Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo do business. The airport’s headquarters is located nearby.

Founders’ Plaza, an observation park, was opened in 1995 to honor the people who started DFW Airport. It was moved to a new location in 2008, where it now has a monument, sculptures, and places to sit and relax. In 2010, a memorial for Delta Air Lines Flight 191 was dedicated there.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Cargo

Statistics

Top destinations

Airline market share

Annual traffic