Dallas Fort Worth Airport hasfivepassengerterminals. Each building is semi-circular in shape, which minimises the distance from car parks and public transport stations to check-in.

A motorway runs through the centre of the site, with the terminals and car parks built around it.

View all hotels near the airport

The terminals are organised by airline, although some major airlines use more than one terminal. The letter denoting your departure terminal will always be indicated on your boarding pass.

All international arrivals take place exclusively at Terminal D, which is the only terminal with an immigration control area.

Terminal layout

Which DFW airport terminal can you expect your flight to depart from?

• Terminal A: American Airlines
• Terminal B: American Airlines
• Terminal C: American Airlines
• Terminal D: AeroMexico, Air France, American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Sun Country Airlines, VivaAerobus, Volaris
• Terminal E: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, jetBlue, Spirit Airlines, United

Airport map

You can find an interactive map of the entire airport and the individual terminals on the airport’s official website:dfwairport.com/map.

Connecting flights

How does the transfer between connecting flights work?

Given the huge number of flights, American Airlines uses all the terminals, so moving between terminals is very common when connecting in Dallas.

Even so, transferring at DFW Airport is very straightforward and quick, as all terminals are connected by the SkyLink automated train (inside the security area) or TerminalLink buses (outside the security area).

What security checks do I go through when changing flights?

What are the exact procedures for each type of transfer?

• International →international: immigration and security checks
• International →domestic: immigration and security checks
• Domestic →international: no checks
• Domestic →domestic: no checks

Do I have to leave the transit area when transferring between terminals?

If you arrive in Dallas on an international flight, you must always leave the transit area, go through immigration, move between terminals via the outdoor areas and check in again.

If you are arriving from another destination within the US, you can proceed directly to your connecting departure gate.

If you need to move to another terminal, follow the ‘SkyLink’ signs, which will guide you to the automated train.

Do I need to collect my luggage?

If you’re arriving at DFW from abroad, you must always collect your luggage and check it in again at the check-in counter.

If you are flying from a destination within the US and your connection is no longer than 8 hours, your luggage will be automatically transferred. It does not matter whether you are continuing on an international or domestic flight.

Do I need to apply for an ESTA?

Whenever you transfer from an international flight, you must collect your luggage and leave the transit area.

You must therefore have an electronic ESTA authorisation in place to enter the United States (you can apply online at21 usdvia the official website:esta.cbp.dhs.gov).

How long does immigration control take?

If you arrive outside peak times, you may be through to the public area within 20 minutes; however, particularly during the afternoon peak for arrivals from Europe and Latin America, the queue at immigration can take up to 2 hours.

If you have less than 1.5 hours for your connecting flight, we recommend that you inform the staff before joining the queue that you have a tight connection. In that case, you may be directed to the priority queue.

If, due to the length of the immigration check, you miss your guaranteed connecting flight, the airline will arrange the next available flight for you free of charge. However, accommodation at the airline’s expense is not provided in such cases.

Is there a passport control on departure?

No. You do not go through immigration checks when departing from the USA.

SkyLink and Terminal Link

There are two types of transport available for travelling between terminals.

SkyLink

A free automated train connects all terminals via the transit area. It is therefore only accessible to passengers who have already passed through security.

• Frequency: every 2–4 minutes
• Operating hours: 24/7
• Journey time between neighbouring terminals – 5 minutes
• Journey time between the furthest-apart terminals – 15 minutes

Terminal Link

You can travel between terminals free of charge via the outdoor public area using the Terminal Link shuttle buses

• Frequency: every 5–10 minutes
• Operating hours: 5.00 am–midnight
• Journey time between neighbouring terminals – 5 minutes
• Journey time between the furthest terminals – 10 minutes