Exploring Dfw Airport's Massive Size Compared To Manhattan

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is larger than the entire island of Manhattan. At 17,207 acres (26.89 sq mi; 69.63 km2), DFW is the second-largest airport by land area in the United States after Denver International Airport. The airport, which is officially owned by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, is so big that it is sited within the city limits of four neighbouring cities: Coppell, Euless, Grapevine, and Irving.

DFW Airport is the second-largest airport in the US by land area

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the second-largest airport in the US by land area. At 17,207 acres (26.89 sq mi; 69.63 km2, it is larger than the entire island of Manhattan in New York City, which spans 23 sq mi of land. DFW Airport is so big that it is more than double the size of the next largest US airport, Dallas/Fort Worth.

The airport is located roughly halfway between the major cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and includes portions of Grapevine, Irving, Euless, and Coppell. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport, and was the third-busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements and the second-busiest by passenger traffic in 2022 and 2023.

DFW Airport has five terminals and 174 gates, designed in a half-circle shape to minimise the distance between a passenger's car and plane and to reduce traffic on the main airport roads. The airport also features the DFW Skylink, a modern bidirectional people mover system that allows passengers to quickly travel between gates inside the secured area, with an average travel time of seven minutes.

The airport's size has led to legal battles over expansion, with surrounding cities suing the airport over its extension plans. Despite this, DFW Airport has embarked on a series of expansion projects expected to last until 2028, including the construction of Terminal F, which will add 15 new gates.

Manhattan is home to around 1.6 million people

Manhattan is a borough of New York City and is home to around 1.6 million people. It is the smallest borough in terms of land area, but the third-largest in terms of population, behind Brooklyn and Queens. It is the most densely populated of the five NYC boroughs and the most densely populated county in the United States.

Manhattan is located almost entirely on Manhattan Island, near the southern tip of New York State. It is one of the most densely populated locations in the world, with a 2020 census population of 1,694,250 living in a land area of 22.66 square miles (58.69 square kilometres), or 72,918 residents per square mile (28,154 residents per square kilometre).

The population of Manhattan swells during the week, with an estimated 3.9 million people in the borough on weekdays due to commuters. The borough is the economic engine of New York City, with its 2.45 million workers drawn from the wider New York metropolitan area.

Manhattan is the smallest county in New York State by area, but it has the highest per capita income, at $186,848 in 2022. It is also home to the world's two largest stock exchanges by total market capitalization, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

The borough is well-served by public transport, with 151 subway stations, three commuter rail services, and numerous bus routes. Congestion charging was introduced in 2025 to reduce traffic and encourage the use of public transport.

Manhattan has a rich history, with European settlement beginning in 1624 when Dutch colonists established a trading post. The territory came under English control in 1664 and was renamed New York. Manhattan became a borough during the consolidation of New York City in 1898.

The borough has some of the most famous neighbourhoods in the United States, including Harlem, SoHo, TriBeCa, Midtown, Washington Heights, Chelsea, Alphabet City, Hell's Kitchen, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, and Chinatown.

DFW Airport is bigger than New York's LaGuardia airport

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is bigger than New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). DFW Airport covers an area of 17,207 acres (26.89 sq mi; 69.63 km2) or 78 sq km, making it the second-largest airport by land area in the United States after Denver International Airport. In comparison, LaGuardia Airport covers 680 acres or 2.75 sq km.

DFW Airport is the primary international airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the North Texas region. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport. The airport is located roughly halfway between the major cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and includes portions of the cities of Grapevine, Irving, Euless, and Coppell. It has its own post office ZIP code, police force, fire protection, and emergency medical services.

LaGuardia Airport, on the other hand, is a civil airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City. Established in 1929, it began operating as a public airport in 1939 and is named after Fiorello La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City. The airport is located on the northwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Flushing Bay. LaGuardia is a hub for both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, but its commercial service is governed by unique regulations, including a curfew, a slot system, and a "perimeter rule" restricting most non-stop flights to or from destinations greater than 1,500 miles (2,400 km) away.

In terms of size, DFW Airport is significantly larger than LaGuardia Airport. DFW Airport's land area is more than double that of LaGuardia Airport, and it serves a wider range of destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international destinations as of April 2023. LaGuardia Airport, on the other hand, primarily serves domestic destinations, with a smaller number of limited international destinations.

DFW Airport is the fourth-largest airport in the world

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the fourth-largest airport in the world. It is also the largest airport in Texas, and it occupies more surface area than the entire island of Manhattan in New York. The airport is officially owned by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, but it is located within the city limits of four neighbouring cities: Coppell, Euless, Grapevine, and Irving. This unique situation of multiple jurisdictions has led to legal battles over expansion since the airport opened in 1974, with the addition of new runways requiring a US Supreme Court decision in 1994.

The airport's vast size is evident when compared to Manhattan Island, which comfortably fits within its boundaries. With a total area of 17,207 acres (26.89 sq mi or 69.63 km2), DFW Airport is nearly double the size of New York's LaGuardia Airport, which spans only 680 acres. The airport's four primary north-south runways are each longer than 4,000 metres (13,123 feet), making DFW the only airport in the world with this distinction.

DFW Airport is a major hub for air travel, serving as the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered nearby. In 2022 and 2023, it was the second-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic and the third-busiest by aircraft movements. The airport offers an impressive range of destinations, with service to 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international locations. It also boasts the distinction of being the largest carbon-neutral airport in the world and the first in North America to achieve this status.

The airport's design is notable for its semicircular terminals, which efficiently isolate loading and unloading areas from the central highway while providing ample parking space. The DFW Skylink, a modern bidirectional people mover system, further enhances the airport's functionality, allowing passengers to quickly travel between gates within the secured area.

With its impressive size, busy flight schedule, and innovative features, DFW Airport truly stands out as one of the world's largest and most significant aviation hubs.

DFW Airport is the largest airport in Texas

DFW Airport: The Largest Airport in Texas

A Texas Giant

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is a true Texas giant. Sprawling across 17,207 acres, it is the largest airport in the Lone Star State and one of the biggest in the world. To put its size into perspective, DFW Airport covers more ground than the entire island of Manhattan in New York City.

A Hub of Activity

DFW Airport is more than just a vast expanse of concrete and runways. It is a bustling hub of activity, serving as the primary international airport for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the North Texas region. With five terminals and 174 gates, it offers a staggering 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international routes. In 2005, the airport handled over 59 million passengers and approximately 800,000 tons of cargo.

A Complex History

The history of DFW Airport is as complex as its ownership structure. Officially owned by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, the airport sits within the city limits of four neighbouring cities: Coppell, Euless, Grapevine, and Irving. This unique arrangement has led to legal battles over expansion since its opening in 1974, with the addition of new runways requiring a US Supreme Court decision in 1994.

A Traveller's Dream

DFW Airport is designed with efficiency and convenience in mind. Its semicircular terminals minimise distances between parking and aircraft, while the DFW Skylink automated people mover system ensures quick connections between gates. The airport also boasts an impressive range of amenities, including hotels, restaurants, and even the world's first emergency room located directly on airport property.

Looking to the Future

DFW Airport is not resting on its laurels. Expansion projects are underway, including the construction of Terminal F, adding 15 new gates. Renovations are also taking place across existing terminals, with Terminal A's revamp costing a billion dollars. With these developments, DFW Airport solidifies its position as not just the largest, but also one of the most dynamic and passenger-friendly airports in Texas and beyond.

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