There are a number of airlines that fly out of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), including American Airlines, Delta, United, and Southwest. DFW is a hub for American Airlines, so there are a lot of flights available through them. You can also find direct flights to many destinations on other airlines. For example, Delta offers nonstop service to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and New York City. United has flights to Denver, Houston, Newark/New York City, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., among others. So no matter where you’re looking to go, chances are good that you’ll be able to find a flight out of DFW.
How Big Is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport?
The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the 2nd largest airport in the United States. It’s located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. The airport covers approximately 18,000 acres and has five terminals and a six-runway system.
DFW Airport is a major hub for American Airlines and serves as a key gateway to Mexico, Canada, and Central America. More than 60 airlines offer service to over 200 destinations worldwide from DFW Airport. In 2017, DFW Airport welcomed more than 66 million passengers.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Information
Airport type | Public |
Owner | Cities of Dallas and Fort Worth |
Operator | DFW Airport Board |
Serves | Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex |
Location | Grapevine, Irving, Euless, and Coppell In Tarrant and Dallas counties, Texas, United States |
Opened | September 23, 1973 |
Hub for | American AirlinesAmeriflightSouthern Airways Express |
UPS Airlines | |
Focus city for | Spirit Airlines Sun Country Airlines |
Built | 1969-1973 |
Time zone | Central Standard Time (CST) (-06:00) |
• Summer (DST) | Central Daylight Time (CDT) (-05:00) |
Elevation AMSL | 607 ft / 185 m |
Coordinates | 32°53’49″N 097°02’17″W |
IATA: | DFW |
ICAO: | KDFW |
FAA LID: | DFW |
WMO: | 72259 |
Passengers | 62,465,756 |
Aircraft operations | 651,895 |
Cargo | 1,006,122.6 tons |
How Far Is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from Downtown?
DFW International Airport is approximately 20 miles from Downtown Dallas and approximately 30 miles from Downtown Fort Worth. Driving times can range between 25-45 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Downtown Dallas is the main commercial and financial district of the city, while Downtown Fort Worth is largely residential with some tourist destinations. For travelers looking to rent a car and explore both cities, we recommend allocating at least 2-3 full days.
What Is the Code for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport?
The code for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is DFW. This code is assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The IATA is a trade association of the world’s airlines and other aviation-related businesses.
The code for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is DFW. The three-letter code (also called an IATA code) is assigned by the International Air Transport Association, which is a trade association that represents the world’s airlines, airports, and other aviation-related businesses. DFW was one of the first airports to be given an IATA code, back in 1947.
Airport codes are used for things like flight booking and reservation, and baggage handling.
Who Owns Dallas Fort Worth International Airport?
The City of Dallas owns the land on which Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is located. The airport is operated by the airport authority, a bi-state agency created by the states of Texas and Arkansas.
DFW was originally built as a regional airport serving the growing Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The original owner was the City of Fort Worth, but in 1974, the two cities turned over the operation of the airport to the newly created DFW Airport Authority. Since then, DFW has grown into one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 64 million passengers in 2017.
Largest Airlines at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) (April 2020 – March 2021)
Rank | Airline | Passengers | Share |
---|---|---|---|
1 | American Airlines | 18,981,000 | 62.27% |
2 | Envoy Air | 4,961,000 | 16.28% |
3 | Mesa Airlines | 2,036,000 | 6.68% |
4 | SkyWest Airlines | 1,394,000 | 4.57% |
5 | Spirit Airlines | 1,285,000 | 4.21% |
When Was Name Changed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport?
The airport was originally known as Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport when it opened in 1974. In January 1999, the airport’s name was changed to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to reflect its status as an international gateway.
How Much Does Parking Cost at Dallas Fort Worth Airport?

The current long-term parking rates at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Airport are $17 per day for uncovered parking and $22 per day for covered parking. Covered parking is also available on a monthly basis for a rate of $195.
DFW Airport offers several convenient options for travelers looking to park their cars while away from home. In addition to the long-term lots, the airport also has a short-term lot and an economy lot, both of which offer lower daily rates. Parking in any of these lots can be conveniently paid for using the Cashdrop machines located in each garage or lot, or with the DFW App available on iOS and Android devices.
How Far Is Dallas Fort Worth Airport from Cowboys Stadium?
The airport is about 9 miles from the stadium.
There are two terminals at the airport. Terminal A is for American Airlines and Terminal C is for all other airlines. Delta, United, and US Airways all have gates in both terminals. If you’re flying American Airlines, your flight will depart from Terminal A. If you’re flying any other airline, your flight will depart from Terminal C.
The airport has a free shuttle that runs between the terminals every 5-10 minutes. There’s also a free shuttle that runs between the terminals and the Cowboys Stadium parking lot. The stadium parking lot is about 2 miles from the airport, so it’s a pretty easy walk or ride on the shuttle.
Where to Sleep at Dallas Fort Worth Airport?

The best place to sleep at Dallas Fort Worth Airport is in one of the designated sleeping areas. These areas are located in Terminal D and in the C Gates area.
The sleeping areas are furnished with comfortable chairs, a number of which face a television. There is also a limited supply of electrical outlets for charging electronic devices. The areas are open 24 hours a day, and there are no time restrictions for using them.
Busiest Domestic Routes from DFW (June 2021 – May 2022)
Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Los Angeles, California | 1,030,000 | American, Delta, Spirit |
2 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 898,000 | American, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country |
3 | Atlanta, Georgia | 859,000 | American, Delta, Spirit |
4 | Chicago–O’Hare, Illinois | 788,000 | American, Spirit, United |
5 | Denver, Colorado | 776,000 | American, Frontier, United |
6 | Orlando, Florida | 701,000 | American, Frontier, Spirit |
7 | Miami, Florida | 679,000 | American, Frontier |
8 | New York–LaGuardia, New York | 672,000 | American, Delta, Spirit |
9 | Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Arizona | 632,000 | American, Spirit |
10 | Charlotte, North Carolina | 573,000 | American |
What to Do near Dallas Fort Worth Airport?
There are a few different things you can do near Dallas Fort Worth Airport. If you’re looking for something to do at the airport, there are a few restaurants and shops available. There is also a museum located in the airport.
If you’re looking for something to do outside the airport, there are a few different options depending on what you’re interested in. There are several museums and parks located near the airport, as well as an aquarium and a zoo. Additionally, there are several large shopping malls located close by.