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DALKDAL

Dallas Love Field

Dallas, US

Airportist Score

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Security

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DALKDALNormal

Dallas Love Field Airport

Dallas, United States · North America

Efficient, friendly single-terminal Southwest fortress close to downtown with good food and free transit links, but limited lounges and one checkpoint that clogs during banks.

Airportist Score

7.7/ 10

Very good

Ease of use8.5
Comfort & amenities7.2
Food & retail7.8
Ground access8.0
Reliability6.5
Lounges7.5

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

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DALKDALNormal

Dallas Love Field Airport

Dallas, United States · North America

Efficient, friendly single-terminal Southwest fortress close to downtown with good food and free transit links, but limited lounges and one checkpoint that clogs during banks.

Airportist Score

7.7/ 10

Very good

Ease of use8.5
Comfort & amenities7.2
Food & retail7.8
Ground access8.0
Reliability6.5
Lounges7.5

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare DAL with another airport

Typical security
15 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
15-25 min
Uber / Lyft
Cheapest to city
DART Love Link (Route 5) + rail
$ · 25-40 min
Lounge
1
1 rated worth it
On time
78%
of departures
Terminals
1
terminal (20 gates)

12 photos

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

ADSAddison Airport
Dallas
14 km
DFWDallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas
18 km
RBDDallas Executive Airport
Dallas
19 km
AFWFort Worth Alliance Airport
Fort Worth
46 km
FTWFort Worth Meacham International Airport
Fort Worth
48 km
FWHNAS Fort Worth JRB/Carswell Field
Fort Worth
56 km

Compare DAL vs DFW

ADSAddison Airport
Dallas
14 km
DFWDallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas
7.318 km
RBDDallas Executive Airport
Dallas
19 km
AFWFort Worth Alliance Airport
Fort Worth
46 km
FTWFort Worth Meacham International Airport
Fort Worth
48 km
FWHNAS Fort Worth JRB/Carswell Field
Fort Worth
56 km

DALGuide

DALGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Beat the Southwest banks

Arrive 90-120 min early for morning (5-9am) and evening (4-7pm) banks when the single checkpoint spikes.

Off-peak and PreCheck/CLEAR keep waits under 10-15 min most of the day; checkpoint opens 4am.

Terminal

Stay airside after security

Everything is walkable in one T-shaped concourse—no trains or long hauls.

Gates 1-20 line the top of the T; Concession Village and stem have the bulk of food and seating.

Food

Skip chains for local Texas spots

Hit Cool River Cafe, Campisi's, Cantina Laredo or Dickey's for better-than-average airport eats.

Whataburger and Chick-fil-A draw the longest lines; pre-security Applebee's-IHOP works for greeters.

Status

Check live TSA on the official site

Use dallas-lovefield.com security page or MyTSA for real-time waits before leaving home.

On-time hovers ~77-78%; weather and Southwest crew/ATC issues are the usual culprits.

Live conditions

Right now at DAL

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Southwest flyers wanting downtown proximity
Quick domestic hops with minimal walking
Families (play lounge + easy layout)
Budget transit users via free Love Link + DART

Watch out for

Single checkpoint spikes hard on Southwest banks
Almost no traditional Priority Pass/airline lounges
No 24-hour food; concessions wind down by 10pm
Rideshare pickup relocated—follow new Garage C signs

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.2

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.8

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

8.0

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.5

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

7.5

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

16,899,203

Terminals

1 terminal (20 gates)

On-time departures

78%

Typical security

15 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DAL.

Updated Sep 14, 2026

Single modern terminal with 20 gates; all domestic
Southwest dominates (~95%+ traffic); also Delta and Alaska
2025 total passengers 16,899,203 (Dallas Regional Chamber / Love Field 2025 stats); 2023 peak was higher
One main security checkpoint with PreCheck and CLEAR; typically 10–20 min
6 miles / 10–20 min to downtown Dallas
Love Link (DART Route 5) is free from the airport to Inwood/Love Field Station; $2.50 inbound to the airport; rail beyond needs a DART fare

11 official sources

https://www.dallas-lovefield.com/
https://www.dallas-lovefield.com/passenger-services/ground-transportation/public-transportation
https://www.dallas-lovefield.com/passenger-services/restaurants
https://www.dallas-lovefield.com/passenger-info/amenities
https://www.dallas-lovefield.com/airlines-flights/security
https://dfw.uso.org/usolovefield
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airports/dallas-love-field-dal-airport/
https://www.theparkingspot.com/airport-guides/dal-airport-guide
https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/dallas-love-field-airport-guide.htm
https://www.dart.org/guide/transit-and-use/rail/travelling-to-and-from-dallas-love-field-airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Love_Field

Full guide

Explore the DAL guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Dallas Love Field, the Dallas city center, and 3 other airports in the city
City center3 other airports
View Map
Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: DART Love Link (Route 5) + rail
View Getting There
Lounges
1 lounge with access rules, hours, and verdicts. 1 rated worth it.
USO Lounge Dallas Love Field
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Ride free Love Link (Route 5) from lower-level ground transport to Inwood/Love Field DART station, then pay a normal DART fare ($2.50 local single / $3 3-hour / $6 local day as of 2026) for Green/Orange rail—including toward DFW.
13 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
6 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Free Wi-Fi + abundant outletsLil' Love Lounge + play areaLocal Texas dining
View Amenities
Water
Where to refill for free, and where a bottle costs the least airside.
4 spots2 free or refill
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

☀️26°C / 79°F

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 15:38 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Oct 21, 20:38 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.