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DFWKDFW

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas, US

Airportist Score

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DFWGuide

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DFWKDFWNormal

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas, United States · North America

American’s sprawling hub with strong food and airside connectivity. Calendar 2025 traffic was 85,660,127 (−2.5%); Priority Pass is The Club D plus Plaza Premium E only.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.0
Comfort & amenities7.2
Food & retail7.8
Ground access7.5
Reliability7.0
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 DFW with another airport

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Cheapest

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DFWGuide

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All airports Official site

DFWKDFWNormal

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas, United States · North America

American’s sprawling hub with strong food and airside connectivity. Calendar 2025 traffic was 85,660,127 (−2.5%); Priority Pass is The Club D plus Plaza Premium E only.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.0
Comfort & amenities7.2
Food & retail7.8
Ground access7.5
Reliability7.0
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 DFW with another airport

Typical security
18 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
25-40 min
Uber/Lyft
Cheapest to city
DART Orange Line
$ · 50-65 min
Lounges
15
4 rated worth it
On time
76%
of departures
Terminals
5

11 photos

Alternatives

Nearby airports

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

DALDallas Love Field
Dallas
18 km
ADSAddison Airport
Dallas
21 km
AFWFort Worth Alliance Airport
Fort Worth
28 km
RBDDallas Executive Airport
Dallas
29 km
FTWFort Worth Meacham International Airport
Fort Worth
31 km
FWHNAS Fort Worth JRB/Carswell Field
Fort Worth
40 km

Compare DFW vs DAL

DALDallas Love Field
Dallas
7.718 km
ADSAddison Airport
Dallas
21 km
AFWFort Worth Alliance Airport
Fort Worth
28 km
RBDDallas Executive Airport
Dallas
29 km
FTWFort Worth Meacham International Airport
Fort Worth
31 km
FWHNAS Fort Worth JRB/Carswell Field
Fort Worth
40 km

DFWGuide

DFWGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

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

Timing

Arrive 2 hours domestic, 3 international

Check live security waits on dfwairport.com before heading to checkpoint.

Multiple checkpoints per terminal reduce bottlenecks but PreCheck/CLEAR lines move fastest.

Terminal

Use Skylink for airside connections

Skylink runs every 2-5 minutes between all terminals post-security.

Terminal Link bus handles landside moves; avoid if possible for speed.

Food

Capital One Lounge for best buffet

Strong reviews for variety and quality versus other independent lounges nearby.

Located Terminal D near D22; $90 day pass for Capital One cardholders only at DFW (Venture/Spark discounted $45); Priority Pass is not accepted.

Status

Monitor myDFW app for real-time updates

Live parking, security, and flight data beats generic advice.

Prebook parking for up to 50% savings and rewards points.

Live conditions

Right now at DFW

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

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

American Airlines connections
Lounge variety in D/E
Rail access to Dallas
Multiple security options

Watch out for

Terminal sprawl requiring Skylink transfers
Crowded PP rooms — only The Club D and Plaza Premium E remain on Priority Pass
Quoting the 73.0M domestic figure as if it were the airport total
Surge pricing on rideshares

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.

7.0

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.

7.5

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

7.0

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

7.5

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

85,660,127

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

76%

Typical security

18 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DFW.

Updated Sep 17, 2026

85,660,127 passengers in 2025 (DFW official December report / ACI-NA; −2.5% vs 2024). Domestic was 73,007,716 — do not quote that as the airport total
5 terminals (A–E) linked airside by Skylink; American Airlines primary hub with international focus in Terminal D
Multiple security checkpoints per terminal with live wait times on dfwairport.com
Priority Pass still covers The Club DFW (Terminal D) and Plaza Premium (Terminal E); Plaza Premium Terminal D left Priority Pass on 21 Jun 2026
Chase Sapphire Lounge (Terminal D near D25) no longer accepts Priority Pass/LoungeKey (ended 15 Aug 2026); Chase cardholders keep access
DART Orange Line (Terminal A): Local 3-hour pass $3 / Local day pass $6 to downtown; Silver Line also at Terminal B

8 official sources

https://www.dfwairport.com/
https://www.dfwairport.com/business/about/stats/
https://airportscouncil.org/press_release/airports-council-releases-2025-north-american-airport-traffic-rankings/
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/dallas-fort-worth-international
https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/lounges/
https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/transportation/transportation/
https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dart-announces-streamlined-fare-structure-effective-march-1--2025
https://www.chase.com/sapphire-cards/lounges

Full guide

Explore the DFW guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, 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 Orange Line
View Getting There
Lounges
15 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts. 4 rated worth it.
American Airlines Flagship LoungeCapital One LoungeChase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Skylink train every few minutes for quick terminal hops airside
12 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
6 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Capital One LoungeSkylink TrainDART Orange Line
View Amenities
Water
Where to refill for free, and where a bottle costs the least airside.
3 spots2 free or refill
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

☀️19°C / 66°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: 10:49 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Oct 21, 15:49 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.