
Love Field Airport, formerly the main airport of Dallas, Texas, was built 6 miles northwest of the city centre. It was Dallas' primary airport until 1974 when the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport opened. Love Field Airport is named after Moss L. Love and currently serves around 15.5 million passengers annually, connecting Texas with all other states in the USA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dallas Love Field Airport |
| Location | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Distance from Downtown Dallas | 6 miles (9.7 km; 5.2 nmi) northwest |
| Elevation | 487 feet (148 m) above mean sea level |
| Area | 1,300 acres (530 ha) |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Former Main Airlines | American Airlines, Braniff International Airways, Central Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Trans-Texas Airways |
| Former Secondary Airlines | Pioneer Air Lines |
| First Airport Moving Walkways | Yes |
| Turbine-powered Flights | Began April 1, 1959 |
| Jet Flights | Began July 12, 1959 |
| Direct Flights to Europe | Began 1963 |
| Former Status | Main airport of Dallas until 1974 |
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Dallas Love Field Airport was built 6 miles northwest of Dallas, Texas
Dallas Love Field Airport was built 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Dallas, Texas. It was named after Moss L. Love and was Dallas' main airport until 1974 when Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) opened. The airport covers an area of 1,300 acres (530 ha) at an elevation of 487 feet (148 m) above sea level and has two runways.
Love Field is the birthplace, corporate headquarters, and a major operating base of Southwest Airlines. Several full-service fixed-base operators (FBOs) provide general aviation services such as fuel, maintenance, hangar rentals, and air charters. The City of Dallas Department of Aviation headquarters is also located on the airport grounds.
The airport's history can be traced back to 1950 when Pioneer Air Lines moved its base from Houston to Love Field. In 1953, Fort Worth opened Amon Carter Field, later renamed Greater Southwest International Airport, to compete with Love Field. Despite Fort Worth's attempts to negotiate with Dallas for collaboration on a new airport, Dallas declined. As a result, all passenger airlines were transferred from Fort Worth's previous airport, Meacham Field, to Greater Southwest, leaving Love Field and Greater Southwest as the only air transportation options for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Love Field's third terminal, designed by Donald S. Nelson, opened in 1958 with three one-story concourses and 26 ramp-level gates. It featured the world's first airport moving walkways. Turbine-powered flights began in 1959, with Continental Airlines introducing the Vickers Viscount turboprop. Jet airline flights commenced the same year, with American Airlines operating Boeing 707 flights to New York. By 1963, Love Field offered direct, no-change-of-plane Boeing 707 jet service to London and Frankfurt, jointly operated by Braniff International and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am).
In 1965, the 8,800-foot (2,700 m) parallel Runway 13R/31L opened, despite safety concerns and opposition from nearby residents. The expansion of the airport continued in the 1960s, with American Airlines expanding its concourse in 1968, and Braniff opening its "Terminal of the Future," featuring the first rotunda concourse and jet bridges.
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It was named after Moss L. Love
The Dallas Love Field Airport, formerly the main airport of Dallas, Texas, is named after Moss L. Love. Located about 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of the city centre, it covers an area of 1,300 acres (530 ha) at an elevation of 487 feet (148 m) above sea level.
Love Field Airport was Dallas' primary airport until 1974 when the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport opened. The airport has played a significant role in aviation history, with several notable airlines, such as American Airlines, Braniff International Airways, and Central Airlines, operating from its premises.
Love Field witnessed the introduction of turbine-powered flights in 1959, with Continental Airlines' Vickers Viscount turboprop, marking a pivotal moment in aviation technology. Jet airline flights commenced shortly after in July 1959, with American Airlines' Boeing 707 service to New York. By 1963, the airport offered direct, no-change-of-plane Boeing 707 jet service to international destinations like London and Frankfurt, in collaboration with Braniff International and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am).
The airport holds historical significance as United States President John F. Kennedy arrived at Love Field on Air Force One on November 22, 1963, and was assassinated less than an hour later during his motorcade's journey to the Dallas Trade Mart. Following this tragic event, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the new president aboard Air Force One before departing from the same airport.
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It was Dallas' main airport until 1974
Dallas Love Field Airport, located about 6 miles northwest of Dallas, Texas, was the main airport serving the city until 1974. During the 1950s, the airport underwent significant expansion, with several airlines, including American Airlines, Braniff International Airways, and Central Airlines, operating out of the airport. Turbine-powered and jet airline flights began in 1959, and by 1963, the airport offered direct, no-change-of-plane Boeing 707 jet service to London and Frankfurt.
Love Field's new terminal, designed by Donald S. Nelson, opened in 1958, featuring three one-story concourses, 26 ramp-level gates, and the world's first airport moving walkways. The airport continued to expand in the 1960s, with American Airlines and Braniff investing in new infrastructure. On April 2, 1965, a new 8,800-foot parallel runway opened, despite facing legal challenges due to safety concerns and noise complaints from nearby residents.
Love Field holds a significant place in history as United States President John F. Kennedy arrived there on Air Force One on November 22, 1963, less than an hour before his assassination in Dealey Plaza. Following his assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president aboard Air Force One at the airport.
In 1974, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) opened, replacing Love Field as Dallas's primary airport. Love Field remains operational today, serving about 15.5 million passengers annually and catering exclusively to domestic flights within the United States.
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Southwest Airlines was born at Love Field
Love Field covers an area of 1,300 acres (530 ha) at an elevation of 487 feet (148 m) above sea level and has two runways. Southwest Airlines was born at Love Field, which is also its birthplace, corporate headquarters, and a major operating base. As of August 2021, Southwest Airlines had a 95% market share at the airport.
Several full-service fixed-base operators (FBOs) provide general aviation services such as fuel, maintenance, hangar rentals, and air charters at Love Field. The airport's history is closely tied to the development of aviation in the region. In 1950, Pioneer Air Lines moved its base from Houston to Love Field. Three years later, in 1953, Fort Worth opened Amon Carter Field, which later became Greater Southwest International Airport, to compete with Love Field.
Despite Fort Worth's attempts to negotiate with Dallas for collaboration on a new airport, Dallas declined. As a result, all passenger airlines were transferred from Fort Worth's Meacham Field to Greater Southwest, leaving Love Field and Greater Southwest as the only air transportation options for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Love Field continued to expand and innovate, introducing the world's first airport moving walkways in its third terminal, which opened in 1958. Turbine-powered flights began in 1959, and jet airline flights soon followed, with American Airlines launching Boeing 707 flights to New York in the same year.
By 1963, Love Field offered direct, no-change-of-plane Boeing 707 jet service to London and Frankfurt, jointly operated by Braniff International and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). Southwest Airlines was born and thrived in this dynamic and innovative aviation environment at Love Field, solidifying its presence and influence in the region.
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President John F. Kennedy arrived at Love Field on November 22, 1963, and was assassinated less than an hour later
Love Field Airport, located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas, was Dallas' main airport until 1974 when Dallas Fort Worth International Airport opened.
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, seeking support for his New Frontier policies and with an eye on the 1964 elections, arrived at Love Field Airport in Dallas, Texas, on Air Force One. He was accompanied by his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. They had travelled from Fort Worth, where the President had spoken to a crowd in a parking lot and then to a dressier audience at a chamber of commerce breakfast at the Hotel Texas.
Upon arrival at Love Field Airport, President Kennedy and his wife immediately walked towards a fence where a crowd of well-wishers had gathered, and they spent several minutes shaking hands. The First Lady received a bouquet of red roses, which she brought with her to the waiting limousine. They were joined in the motorcade by Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, who were already seated in the open-top 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible limousine. The procession left the airport and travelled along a ten-mile route towards the Trade Mart, where the President was scheduled to speak at a luncheon.
However, less than an hour after arriving at Love Field Airport, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dealey Plaza while his motorcade was travelling from the airport to the Trade Mart. He was riding in the presidential motorcade with his wife, Governor Connally, and Mrs. Connally when he was fatally shot from the nearby Texas School Book Depository by Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine. The motorcade rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where Kennedy was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the shooting. Governor Connally was also seriously wounded in the attack but recovered.
The assassination of President Kennedy had a significant impact and led to various changes. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was hastily sworn in as president aboard Air Force One at Love Field Airport before departing for Washington, D.C. The FBI launched an investigation into the assassination, and Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and identified as the assassin. The Secret Service overhauled its procedures, eliminating open limousines, increasing staffing, and establishing specialized teams like counter-sniper units.
The nation and the world were left reeling, struggling to make sense of the senseless act and mourning President Kennedy's life and legacy. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963, with heads of state and representatives from numerous countries in attendance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Love Field Airport in Dallas, Texas, was opened in 1958.
The Love Field Airport was Dallas' main airport until 1974 when the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport opened. It covers 1,300 acres of land and is located 6 miles northwest of downtown Dallas. The airport is named after Moss L. Love and is the birthplace of Southwest Airlines.
On November 22, 1963, United States President John F. Kennedy arrived at Love Field on Air Force One and was assassinated less than an hour later while his motorcade was traveling to the Dallas Trade Mart.











































