“Spanning portions of four cities,” a fitting description for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. It’s more than just a transportation hub. It’s a sprawling metropolis of its own. We’re standing at the edge of one of the world’s busiest airports. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a testament to Texas-sized ambition.
Dallas and Fort Worth initially declined to build a joint airport. Each city opened its own. Dallas had Love Field. Fort Worth had Meacham Field. By the 1960s, it became clear a regional airport was needed. The FAA refused to invest more money into separate airports. In 1966, the cities purchased land almost equidistant from both city centers. Construction began in 1969. The first phase cost an estimated 700 million dollars.
Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport held a dedication ceremony in September 1973. A supersonic Concorde made its first U.S. landing here. The airport opened for commercial service on January 13, 1974. It cost 875 million dollars. At the time, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport was the largest in the world by land area. American Airlines Flight 341 from New York was the first to land. The name changed to Dallas/Fort Worth International in 1985.
Initially, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport had four terminals numbered 2W, 2E, 3E, and 4E. Braniff International Airways operated a hub from Terminal 2W. It had international flights to South America and Mexico. It flew to London from 1978. Flights to Europe and Asia began in 1979. Braniff ceased all operations in 1982.
American Airlines established its first hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on June 11, 1981. By 1984, the American hub occupied most of Terminal 3E and part of Terminal 2E. Delta Air Lines also built a hub operation at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. It occupied most of Terminal 4E through the 1990s. Delta closed its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport hub in 2004.
The airport authority announced plans to rebuild the existing terminals and add two runways in 1989. The seventh runway opened in 1996. The four primary north-south runways were lengthened to 13400 feet. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the only airport with four paved runways longer than 4000 meters.
Terminal D opened in 2005 for international flights. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Skylink people mover system also opened. The Airbus A380 made its inaugural arrival at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in September 2014. It was handled at Terminal D.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport completed a 2.7 billion dollar Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program. Terminal A renovations finished in January 2017. Terminal E followed in August 2017. Terminal B finished in December 2017.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport continues to grow. The airport is embarking on expansion projects expected to last until 2028. This includes constructing Terminal F. It will have 15 gates.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has five terminals and 174 gates. The terminals are designed in a half-circle shape. This minimizes the distance between a passenger’s car and airplane. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Skylink allows passengers to travel quickly between gates.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is more than just runways and terminals. It is a symbol of connection. It represents the ambition and growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth region. As we conclude our tour, remember that Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a gateway to the world.