Dallas' Two Airports: Everything You Need To Know

what are the 2 dallas airports

Dallas, Texas, is served by two airports: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). DFW is the fourth-busiest airport in the US, serving over 73 million customers annually and supporting international and domestic flights. DAL, on the other hand, is a smaller, regional airport with fewer flights and is located closer to downtown Dallas. Both airports offer a variety of amenities, including lounges, dining options, and ground transportation.

Characteristics Values
Name Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Location Between Dallas and Fort Worth
Distance from Downtown Dallas Less than seven miles
Area 17,500 acres
Number of Terminals Five
Number of Gates 174
Number of Dining, Shopping and Service Options 200+
Number of Passengers More than 73 million
Name Dallas Love Field Airport
Location Northwest of downtown Dallas
Distance from Downtown Dallas Six miles
Area 1,300 acres
Number of Terminals N/A
Number of Gates 20
Number of Passengers More than 15.7 million

shunhotel

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the busiest airports in the US

The airport is located roughly halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, with portions of it in Grapevine, Irving, Euless, and Coppell. It has five terminals and 174 gates, designed in a half-circle shape to minimize the distance between a passenger's car and plane and to reduce traffic on the main airport roads. Terminal D is the primary international terminal, with Customs and Border Protection facilities for arriving international passengers and a gate capable of accommodating an Airbus A380. The DFW Skylink automated people mover system allows passengers to quickly travel between gates inside the secured area, with an average travel time of seven minutes.

DFW Airport offers service to 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international destinations, from 28 passenger airlines. It has a variety of lounges, including the American Airlines Admirals Club, which has locations in all five terminals. Other lounges include the Centurion Lounge, the Club DFW, the United Club, and the British Airways Club. The airport also has hotel options, such as the Grand Hyatt DFW in Terminal D and the Hyatt Regency DFW adjacent to Terminal C, as well as several hotels located within a few miles of the airport.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has been recognised for its sustainability initiatives and commitment to creating a more sustainable world. It has also been named the best large airport in North America for customer service by Airports Council International (ACI) World for two consecutive years.

shunhotel

Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) is a smaller, regional airport

As a smaller airport, Dallas Love Field offers a more intimate and convenient travel experience compared to larger airports. It is known for its efficient operations and easy navigation. The airport has a variety of amenities and services to meet the needs of travellers, including fuel, maintenance, hangar rentals, and air charters.

Dallas Love Field is the birthplace, corporate headquarters, and a major operating base of Southwest Airlines. As of August 2021, Southwest Airlines had a significant market share of 95% at the airport. Other airlines serving Dallas Love Field include American Airlines, which offers flights to destinations outside the Wright zone.

In terms of ground transportation, the Dallas Love Field Airport is well-connected to the city of Dallas and the surrounding areas. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides convenient travel options to and from the airport, including the light rail service and bus connections. The light rail connects the airport to downtown Dallas, offering a quick and affordable way to get to and from the city.

Dallas Love Field Airport, with its convenient location, efficient operations, and variety of amenities, offers a comfortable and accessible travel experience for passengers travelling to and from the Dallas region. Its smaller size and regional focus make it a preferred choice for those seeking a more streamlined and personalised travel journey.

shunhotel

DFW has five terminals, an array of lounges, and many dining options

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is a large airport that sits between the two cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. It is the fourth-busiest airport in the US, serving an estimated 80 million passengers in 2023, and has five terminals, 174 gates, and 18-19 lounges. The terminals are designed in a half-circle shape, which minimises the distance between a passenger's car and the plane, and reduces traffic on the main airport roads. The DFW Skylink automated people mover system allows passengers to quickly travel between gates inside the secured area of the airport, with an average travel time of seven to nine minutes.

Terminal D is the airport's primary international terminal, with CBP facilities to process arriving international passengers and a gate capable of accommodating an Airbus A380. It also has the most lounges, including the highly-rated Capital One Lounge, which offers a modern and relaxing space with a gourmet grab 'n' go deli near the entrance, as well as seating areas with delicious food and drinks, including craft cocktails and wine selections. The lounge is located near Gate D22 and is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm.

Other lounges at DFW include the Centurion Lounge, which is free to enter on the day of travel for those with certain American Express cards, the Delta Sky Club (Terminal E, Gate E10), the United Club, the British Airways Club, and the American Airlines Admirals Club, which has locations in all five terminals. Some lounges are membership-only, while others allow you to pay per use or offer single-visit passes.

In addition to lounges, DFW also offers a variety of dining options and hotel accommodations. The Grand Hyatt DFW is located inside the airport in Terminal D and is easily accessible from all terminals via SkyLink and Terminal Link. The Hyatt Regency DFW is located adjacent to Terminal C and offers a free 24-hour shuttle service to all terminals.

Explore related products

Love Field

$5.95

Georgia Rule

$3.99

Love Field

$48.99

Love Field

$37.99

Love Field

$52.99

shunhotel

DAL is the birthplace and headquarters of Southwest Airlines

Dallas has two airports: Dallas Love Field Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. DAL, or Dallas Love Field Airport, is the birthplace and headquarters of Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines was founded in 1966 by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King, and it was incorporated as Air Southwest Co. in 1967. The company was established as an intrastate airline, flying a Texas Triangle network between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. By operating only within the state of Texas, Southwest Airlines could undercut its competitors by being exempt from regulation by the federal Civil Aeronautics Board.

In 1971, Southwest Airlines changed its name from Air Southwest Co. and began operating as an airline wholly within the state of Texas, first flying between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. In 1974, Dallas Love Field Airport ceased to be Dallas' main airport when Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) opened. However, Southwest Airlines continued to operate from Love Field, arguing that the Civil Aeronautics Board had no jurisdiction over intrastate flights. The airline received an air operator's certificate from the State of Texas, allowing it to operate from any airport in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

In the years that followed, Southwest Airlines faced opposition from other airlines and political interests, including American Airlines, which did not want direct low-fare competition from Southwest at DFW. Despite these challenges, Southwest Airlines continued to expand its operations and now serves over 100 destinations in 42 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and several near-international countries.

Today, Southwest Airlines' headquarters are located on the grounds of Dallas Love Field Airport in Dallas. The airline has a strong presence at the airport, with a 95% market share as of August 2021.

shunhotel

DFW was the largest airport in the world when it opened in terms of land area

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of two airports in Dallas, Texas, and it is located between the two cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. When it first opened in 1974, it was the largest airport in the world in terms of land area, covering 17,500 acres (27.3 sq mi; 7,100 ha; 71 km2). To put that into perspective, this area is larger than the size of Manhattan in New York City.

The airport's size is due in part to its five terminals, which are designed in a half-circle shape to minimize the distance between passengers' cars and planes, as well as to reduce traffic on the main airport roads. The large area also accommodates four primary north-south runways, which are all over 4,000 meters (13,123 ft) in length, making DFW the only airport in the world with this feature.

In addition to its vast land area, DFW also boasts an extensive range of facilities, including multiple hotels, a post office, shops, and restaurants. The airport has continued to develop over time, with the addition of new terminals, runways, and an automated people mover system, known as the DFW Skylink, which allows for quick travel between gates.

Today, DFW remains one of the busiest airports in the world, serving more than 73 million customers annually and offering nonstop flights to 193 domestic and 67 international destinations. It is also the largest carbon-neutral airport in the world and the first in North America to achieve this status.

Frequently asked questions

The two major airports in Dallas are Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL).

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is located between the two cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport offers several airport and airline lounges, including the American Airlines Admirals Club, which has locations in all five terminals. The airport also offers hotel options, including the Grand Hyatt DFW and Hyatt Regency DFW, as well as a variety of dining, shopping, and service options.

Dallas Love Field Airport was Dallas' main airport until 1974 when Dallas Fort Worth International Airport opened. It is named after Moss L. Love and is the birthplace, corporate headquarters, and a major operating base of Southwest Airlines. The airport has seen significant events such as an aircraft hijacking in 1972 and the arrival of President John F. Kennedy on Air Force One in 1963.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment