America's Third-Busiest Airport Is A Hub Of Nonstop Action (Here's How To Survive It)

In case y'all haven't heard, everything's bigger in Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is no exception. DFW is the third-busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger and flight operations and currently has non-stop flights to over 200 scheduled destinations, including all 50 states and even the cities with the world's longest lazy river and the world's best coffee scene. Since opening to commercial flights in January 1974, the airport has grown to an area larger than Manhattan, complete with its own police force, fire department, EMS, and zip code. Today, it has five terminal buildings (A, B, C, D, E), and is currently developing a sixth, Terminal F, opening in 2027.

DFW became a fortress hub by design and intention. In the first half of the 20th century, the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth could not agree on a joint airport and built their own (Dallas Love Field and Amon G. Carter, later renamed Greater Southwest International Airport). The former Civil Aeronautics Board stepped in to mediate in 1964, forcing both cities to design a joint airport in 180 days. Nearly 10 years later, DFW opened to much fanfare, including the arrival of the first Concorde jet in the United States. Airline deregulation and the passing of the Wright Amendment resulted in the booming growth of DFW as a worldwide transit center. 

The airport's location and the strong local economy make DFW an ideal hub for non-stop flights across the U.S. Developers in the 1960s and early 1970s recognized the future need for the movement of people and cargo by air. The Metroplex's geography being within a four-hour flight from every major city in the country, along with the region's long-standing economic growth, made it a prime candidate for a global airport and even the headquarters of American Airlines.

Don't forget your walking shoes if you are flying out of DFW. Clocking in at over 2 miles, DFW has the longest entry-to-gate walk in the United States. Thankfully, the airport has a well-developed app for iPhone and Android, making it easy to navigate. If you still have trouble once you're at the airport, ask any of the friendly airport ambassadors in bright orange vests and Texas-sized smiles.

When the airport was first developed, DFW's original four semi-circle terminal buildings made it easy for originating and destination passengers to drive to the airport and quickly get to their gates. For connecting passengers, this means taking the DFW Skylink train inside security. This easy-to-find, convenient automated people mover system makes two stops at every passenger terminal, shortening the amount of walking passengers have to do during a tight connection. Trains leave every 2 minutes and travel both clockwise and counter-clockwise, with the furthest distance between two points taking just nine minutes. Since everything is interconnected, you can breeze through with PreCheck or use the DFW airport's interactive security map to find the shortest line, then hop on the Skylink to your gate. 

If you're flying through DFW, note that the airport is prone to delays due to bad weather. DFW was ranked by the Weather Channel as having the fifth-most (174,510) flights delayed due to bad weather. Summer thunderstorms and a few inches of snow and ice can shut down the airport and cause a cascade of flight delays across the country. The airport's largest tenant, American Airlines, provides compensation for passengers delayed due to operational issues, but offers little more than a refund or rebooking due to bad weather. Before you book, check your credit card's benefits as many travel cards pick up the slack where airlines don't.

DFW's five terminals offer a tremendous variety of food and drinks from all corners of the world, one of the best airport lounges in America, extensive shopping, and oases in each terminal to destress and relax while you wait for your flight. Whether you fancy a juicy burger from TGI Fridays, wings and a cold beer from Buffalo Wild Wings, classic Texas BBQ, or a Banh Mi, DFW has what you and your traveling companions are in the mood for. If you are in a rush or have a tight connection, you can order food through the DFW Marketplace as soon as you touch down and grab it as you walk toward your next gate.

If you have a credit card with airport lounge access, you can likely find a place to unwind here. American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Amex, Capital One, and especially Priority Pass members are all spoilt for choice across the entire airport complex. If you don't have a membership, head over to the newest area of Terminal D, and stroll past the iconic displays of paintings, sculptures, digital art, and other creative expressions to inspire and entertain travelers passing through or returning home.

DFW also is one of the few airports in the country to have underrated and unique amenities, including a world-class art collection, a chiropractor, and even therapy dogs excitedly wagging their tails and welcoming you to Texas. Moreover, the airport is currently undergoing a $9 billion upgrade to improve the overall passenger experience at DFW. And not to be outdone by its past, the airport continues to set ambitious goals: serving over 100 million passengers annually, hitting a net-zero carbon target by 2030, and further improving to become not only one of the biggest–but one of the finest airports in the United States.