Ruth Haines
Skylink is an automated people mover (APM) system operating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The system uses a total of 64 Innovia APM 200 vehicles, coupled together into two-car trains. Each Skylink vehicle can accommodate up to 69 passengers and their carry-on luggage. The trains run every two minutes and travel at speeds of up to 35-37 mph, making it the quickest way to get between terminals at DFW. The Skylink system operates airside at DFW, serving passengers connecting between flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Skylink is an automated people mover (APM) system operating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). |
| Type of System | Innovia APM 200 |
| Manufacturer | Alstom |
| Opening Date | 21 May 2005 |
| Speed | 35-37 mph (56-60 km/h) |
| Frequency | Every two minutes |
| Travel Time | 8-9 minutes between the farthest terminals |
| Accessibility | Fully accessible at each station by elevator with dedicated seating for passengers with mobility impairments |
| Number of Stations | 10 (two per terminal) |
| Number of Vehicles | 64 |
| Capacity | 69 passengers per vehicle |
| Coverage | Connects all five terminals at DFW airport |
| Previous System | Airtrans APM system |
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What You'll Learn
Skylink is a free light rail train
Each terminal has two stations, with trains departing every two minutes and a maximum travel time of 8-9 minutes between the farthest points. The trains can accommodate up to 69 passengers with their carry-on luggage. Skylink is fully accessible at each station by elevator, and dedicated seating is available for passengers with mobility impairments.
The Skylink system is completely automated and uses 64 Innovia APM 200 vehicles, coupled together into two-car trains. The Innovia APM 200 technology is also used in other airport systems worldwide. The construction of Skylink began in 1999 and was opened to the public in 2005. It replaced the previous Airtrans system, which was slower and had been in operation since 1974.
In addition to Skylink, DFW Airport offers other transportation options, including the Terminal Link shuttle bus, which operates before security and is available outside of the regular shuttle hours upon request. Passengers can also choose to walk between terminals using the moving sidewalks and walkways, especially for shorter connections or when arriving at and departing from nearby gates.
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It connects all five terminals
The Skylink at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is an automated people mover (APM) system. It is a free light rail train service that connects all five terminals within the airport. Each of the five terminals contains two stations, with trains departing every two minutes and travelling at speeds of up to 35-37 mph. The maximum travel time between the farthest points in the terminals is around 8-9 minutes, making it a highly efficient mode of transportation within the airport.
The Skylink system operates airside at DFW and primarily serves passengers connecting between flights. It is fully automated and uses a total of 64 Innovia APM 200 vehicles, coupled together into two-car trains. Each Skylink vehicle can accommodate up to 69 passengers and their carry-on luggage. The system is accessible to passengers with disabilities and mobility concerns, with elevators providing access at each station and dedicated seating areas on board for those with mobility impairments.
The concrete and steel guideway for Skylink is elevated at an average of 50 feet and was constructed above the terminals on 375 columns in a 4.81-mile-long bi-directional loop. The inner track travels clockwise, while the outer track travels counter-clockwise, allowing for efficient travel between any two points within the five terminals.
Prior to the implementation of Skylink, DFW Airport utilised the Airtrans APM system, which connected airport facilities and parking lots. However, as DFW grew as a connecting hub for flights, Airtrans was noted for being slow with a top speed of 17 mph. Thus, Skylink was developed as a modern replacement, with construction beginning in 1999 and the system opening to the public in 2005.
In addition to Skylink, DFW Airport also offers other transportation options for connecting between terminals, including the Terminal Link shuttle bus and moving walkways. The shuttle bus operates outside of secure areas and is available for passengers who need to connect between terminals before going through security or after arriving on an international flight. The moving walkways within the terminals provide an alternative for travellers with minimal luggage, allowing them to walk between certain terminals without having to go through security again.
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Skylink is fully accessible
Skylink is an automated people mover (APM) system operating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). It is a free light rail train service that connects all five terminals and is the quickest way to get between terminals. Skylink is fully accessible at each station by elevator, with dedicated seating areas on board each train for passengers with mobility impairments.
The Skylink system uses a total of 64 Innovia APM 200 vehicles, coupled together into two-car trains. Each Skylink vehicle can accommodate up to 69 passengers and their carry-on luggage. The concrete and steel guideway for Skylink is elevated at an average of 50 feet (15 m) and was constructed above the terminals on 375 columns in a 4.81-mile-long (7.74 km) bi-directional loop.
The Skylink trains run every two minutes and travel at speeds of up to 35-37 mph (56-60 km/h). The maximum travel time between the farthest points is 9 minutes, making it highly efficient. Each terminal contains two stations, which are accessed on the secure (air) side. The inner track travels clockwise, and the outer track travels counter-clockwise.
The Skylink system is completely automated and made its public debut on June 25, 2004. It opened to the public on May 21, 2005, and has since transported over 141 million people and travelled over 32.4 million fleet miles (52.1 million kilometres).
In addition to Skylink, DFW Airport offers other transportation services for connecting/transferring, including the Terminal Link shuttle bus, which runs before security every 8 to 10 minutes from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. Walking between terminals with moving sidewalks is also feasible for shorter connections, and there are walkways to terminals B, C, and D from A.
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It is the quickest way to get between terminals
The Skylink at DFW Airport is a free light rail train that connects all five terminals. It is an automated people mover (APM) system, with trains running every two minutes and travelling at speeds of up to 35-37 mph. The maximum travel time between the farthest points is 9 minutes, making it the quickest way to get between terminals.
Each terminal has two Skylink stations, with trains moving in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. The inner track travels clockwise, and the outer track travels counter-clockwise. This bi-directional loop ensures efficient travel between terminals.
The Skylink system uses 64 Innovia APM 200 vehicles, coupled into two-car trains. Each vehicle can accommodate up to 69 passengers and their carry-on luggage. The system is fully accessible, with elevators and dedicated seating for passengers with mobility impairments.
While walking between terminals or using the Terminal Link shuttle bus are alternative options, Skylink remains the fastest and most convenient choice for passengers with tight connections. Its efficiency and speed make it the preferred option for navigating the vast DFW Airport, which is the second-largest airport in the US by land area.
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The train operates after security
The Skylink train at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is a convenient way to navigate between terminals. The train operates after security, connecting all five terminals and providing the shortest route to your stop. Each terminal has two Skylink stations, with trains departing every two minutes and travelling at speeds of up to 35-37 mph. The maximum travel time between the farthest points is only 8-9 minutes, making it a highly efficient mode of transportation within the airport.
The Skylink system is fully automated and uses Innovia APM 200 vehicles, with two-car trains accommodating up to 69 passengers and their carry-on luggage. The concrete and steel guideway is elevated at an average of 50 feet and forms a 4.81-mile-long bi-directional loop. The inner track travels clockwise, while the outer track travels counter-clockwise, ensuring efficient travel in both directions.
As the train operates after security, passengers can easily move between terminals without the need to go through additional security checkpoints. This is especially useful for those with layovers or connecting flights, as they can quickly reach their next gate without backtracking or navigating complex routes. The Skylink train is also fully accessible, with elevator access at each station and dedicated seating for passengers with mobility impairments.
Compared to other means of transportation within the airport, such as shuttle buses or walking via moving sidewalks, the Skylink train is often the quickest option. However, in some cases, walking between nearby gates or terminals may be faster, depending on their proximity to Skylink stations. Passengers can refer to the DFW airport map and consider their specific arrival and departure gates to determine the most efficient route.
The Skylink train is one of two primary free transportation services available at DFW Airport, along with the Terminal Link shuttle bus. While the shuttle bus operates before security and provides connections to the rental car centre or parking lots, the Skylink train facilitates seamless terminal-to-terminal connections for passengers who have already cleared security.
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Frequently asked questions
Skylink is an automated people mover (APM) system operating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). It is a free light rail train that connects all five terminals.
Skylink trains run every two minutes and travel at speeds of up to 35-37 mph.
Each Skylink vehicle can accommodate up to 69 passengers and their carry-on luggage.
The Skylink is fully accessible at each station by elevator, with dedicated seating areas on board each train for passengers with mobility impairments.
