The Ever-Expanding Love Field Airport: Size And Future Plans

Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) is a city-owned public airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas. Covering an area of 1,300 acres (530 ha) at an elevation of 487 feet (148 m) above sea level, it is considered a large airport, serving about 16.8 million passengers in 2019. DAL is home to Southwest Airlines and features two runways, 40 hangars for general aviation, and large facilities for maintenance and overhaul. The airport has been recognised as one of the best large airports in North America, offering convenience and Texas-based favourites in dining options.

Dallas Love Field covers 1,300 acres

Dallas Love Field Airport, located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas, covers 1,300 acres (530 hectares) of land. It is a city-owned public airport, named after Moss L. Love, and sits at an elevation of 487 feet (148 metres) above mean sea level. The airport has two runways, with eight Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) catering to specific needs.

Dallas Love Field is the birthplace, corporate headquarters, and a major operating base of Southwest Airlines. As of August 2021, Southwest had a 95% market share at the airport. The airline was founded in 1971 and refused to move its operations to DFW Airport, which opened in 1974 and effectively replaced Love Field as Dallas' main airport. Southwest's decision to remain at Love Field kept the airport operational, and it continues to be a major employer, with an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 employees.

Love Field's smaller size compared to DFW International Airport, which is the world's fourth-largest airport, can be considered a benefit for passengers seeking convenience. The airport has been recognised for its positive trends in design and was ranked the best large airport in North America by J.D. Power in 2020. Love Field served about 16.8 million passengers in 2019, a significant increase from previous years due to the lifting of certain restrictions on passenger operations.

The airport has a variety of food options, including Texas-based favourites such as Whataburger, Jason's Deli, and Dickey's Barbecue Pit, along with other popular choices like Chick-fil-A and Starbucks. Love Field is easily accessible via the Love Link shuttle, operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which provides free service between the airport terminal and the nearby Inwood/Love Field station.

It is 6 miles from downtown Dallas

Dallas Love Field Airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas. The airport covers an area of 1,300 acres (530 hectares) at an elevation of 487 feet (148 meters) above sea level. It has two runways and is home to Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, which has its corporate headquarters and a major operating base at the airport.

Being just 6 miles from the city centre, Dallas Love Field is an urban airport, with the city of Dallas having grown up around it. This means that the airport is surrounded by residential homes, and as a result, it has had to consider the impact of its operations on the local community. In 2015, the airport launched the Good Neighbor Program to include the people outside the fence in its planning. The airport also has to balance the demands of being in a highly populated area with a limited number of gates and a cap on its operations due to federal mandates.

Despite these challenges, Dallas Love Field has been recognised as North America's best large airport. Its smaller size compared to other airports can be considered a plus for convenience, and it has been praised for its design and recent construction projects. The airport served about 16.8 million passengers in 2019, a significant number given its size and the restrictions on its operations.

Dallas Love Field is easily accessible from the city centre via the Love Link shuttle, which provides a free service between the airport terminal and the nearby Inwood/Love Field station, connecting passengers to the DART Orange and Green light rail lines. The airport's proximity to downtown Dallas makes it a convenient option for travellers looking to get in and out of the city quickly.

Southwest Airlines was born at Love Field

Southwest Airlines has a long history with Love Field Airport in Dallas, Texas. Love Field Airport, covering 1,300 acres of land, is located 6 miles (9.7 km; 5.2 nmi) northwest of downtown Dallas. The airport was named after Moss L. Love, a pioneer aviator and lieutenant in the U.S. Army. During World War I, the airport served as an army airfield, and in 1917, with the United States' entry into the war, it became an important military base.

In the postwar years, Love Field faced competition from Meacham Field in Fort Worth for air traffic. This competition led to the development of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which opened in 1974 and became the primary airport for the region. Despite the opening of DFW, Southwest Airlines remained committed to Love Field. Southwest Airlines began operating in 1971, and a court decision in 1973 allowed them to continue operating from Love Field, even as other carriers moved to the new DFW airport.

Southwest Airlines has had a significant impact on the identity and culture of Love Field. In the early 1970s, their distinctive mustard-colored 737s and hostesses in hot pants and go-go boots became synonymous with the airport. Over the years, Southwest faced legal challenges and competition from other airlines, but they continued to expand their operations at Love Field. In 2006, they agreed to a deal that allowed them to operate flights to any state as long as the airport maintained only 20 gates.

Today, Southwest Airlines maintains a strong presence at Love Field, with 15 of the 20 gates at the airport. The airline's headquarters are located at Love Field, and as of August 2021, they held a 95% market share at the airport. Southwest Airlines has been instrumental in shaping Love Field's reputation as a convenient and highly-ranked large airport in North America. The airline's history and success are deeply intertwined with Love Field, making it an integral part of the airport's story.

The airport is named after Moss L. Love

Dallas Love Field Airport, located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas, is named after Moss L. Love, a pioneering military aviator and member of the U.S. Army 11th Cavalry.

Born in 1879 or 1880 into a prominent family in Fairfax County, Virginia, Moss Lee Love initially worked as a teacher before joining the Army in 1901 at the age of 22. By 1906, he had been promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry. It was during his service with the 7th Cavalry in the Philippines that Love first became interested in aviation, receiving flight instruction from fellow army aviator Lt. Frank P. Lahm. Inspired by the Wright Brothers' historic flight in 1903, Love volunteered for the Army Air Service around 1911.

In 1912, Love began training for his military aviators' license. Unfortunately, his promising career was cut short when, in September 1913, the biplane he was piloting over North Island, San Diego, California, suddenly lost altitude and crashed. Love was killed instantly, becoming the eighth aviation fatality in history. The New York Times headline at the time read: "Army Aviator Killed — Lieut. Love Meets Death When His Aeroplane Falls 300 Feet."

Love Field, which opened in Dallas, Texas, in 1917, was named in his honour. At the time, it was customary to name new airfields after military aviators who had been killed in crashes. Today, Dallas Love Field Airport covers 1,300 acres (530 hectares) and, as of 2019, served about 16.8 million passengers. It has been recognised as one of the best large airports in North America, praised for its convenience, design, and recent construction projects.

It is the 32nd busiest airport in the US

Dallas Love Field Airport, located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas, is the 32nd busiest airport in the United States. It covers an area of 1,300 acres (530 hectares) at an elevation of 487 feet (148 meters) above sea level. The airport has a rich history in aviation, dating back to its early days as a major hub for airlines such as Braniff Airways, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Love Field served about 16.8 million passengers in 2019, a significant increase from previous years. This growth can be attributed to the repeal of the Wright Amendment in 2014, which had restricted passenger aircraft operations at the airport. Despite its medium size, Love Field is a busy and thriving airport, ranked as the busiest medium-hub airport in the country. It is a crucial transportation hub for the region, offering convenient and efficient travel options for passengers.

The airport has two runways and is known for its convenient and accessible location. Its smaller size compared to other major airports can be considered a benefit for passengers seeking a more efficient travel experience. Love Field may not offer the same extensive amenities and designer options as larger airports, but it boasts popular Texas-based favourites and well-known staples.

Love Field is also notable for being the birthplace and corporate headquarters of Southwest Airlines, which has a significant presence at the airport. As of August 2021, Southwest held a 95% market share at Love Field, solidifying its dominance at the airport. The airline's refusal to move its operations to DFW Airport in 1971 played a crucial role in keeping Love Field operational.

In summary, Dallas Love Field Airport's ranking as the 32nd busiest airport in the United States underscores its importance as a key transportation hub. With a long history in aviation, convenient location, and efficient operations, Love Field continues to serve a significant number of passengers each year, contributing to its busy and vibrant atmosphere.

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