Dec 14, 2014, 9:42 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
DFW / Dallas - Ft. Worth International Airport Connections (master thread)
Link to DFW airport website
See AA Guide: DFW / Dallas - Fort Worth Int. Airport & MCT / Connection (master thread) (AA hub airport guide in the American Airlines | AAdvantage forum for expanded information).
NOTE: DFW Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP): DFW is undergoing a fairly extensive terminals refurbishment program, and parts of terminals A, B and E have been under construction/ refurbishment, as are some parking garages, so changes in security screening, etc. are common. See here for further information and updates.
DFW all Terminals , SkyLink and DART Exit Map
Animal Relief Areas: Terminals A, B, C - Lower level grassy areas.
Terminal D - Lower level, outside the D30/D31 Baggage Claim area. Cross the roadway to the parking garage.
DFW is a fairly easy airport to connect though. If you have any difficulty, look around for kiosks / booths staffed by volunteer Ambassadors - they can usually be spotted wearing "ten gallon" cowboy hats.
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DFW Ambasadors - look for the "Ask Me" button
The skylink train connects all terminals airside (once one has passed through security). Ten minutes between gates is possible, even in different terminals. "Skylink’s bi-directional system connects all five terminals and is the shortest route to your stop while inside security."
- Free service
- Trains arrive every two minutes
- Average ride time of five minutes
- Maximum ride time of nine minutes between farthest points
- Easy access to other terminals’ shops and restaurants
Can be boarded or disembarked at:
- Terminal A: Between A13 and A16 and between A29 and A34
- Terminal B: Between B9 and B12 and between B28 and B31
- Terminal C: Between C8 and C12 and between C27 and C32
- Terminal D: Between D11 and D20 and between D24 and D34
- Terminal E: Between E8 and E11 and between E31 and E32
(Note bottles of duty free liquor larger than 3.4 ounce / 100 ml bottle by volume will be confiscated, UNLESS they are enclosed in a Duty Free STEB (Sealed Tamper Evident Bag) with bottle visible and receipt inside visible or at least at hand as of early 2014.)
If you're not sure what you need to visit the US, use this page for TimaticWeb, which is what your airline probably uses. If you need an ESTA (Electronic System Travel Authorization), see here; ESTA and US Visa Waiver FAQ here. ESTA costs USD $14; you can get it online form the link here, and do not have to pay an intermediary a processing fee (e.g. TraVisa charges $39 for their services plus the $14).
The terminal link system (vans and busses) connect terminals land side (outside security).
- Free service
- No ticket or pass of any kind is needed to board
- Van pick-up between the hours of 5 a.m. and midnight
- To request van pick-up between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., call 972 574 LINK (5465)
- All vans are wheelchair accessible
Two, easy-to-locate green pick-up/drop-off areas are located outside bag claim areas of each terminal. Follow the Terminal Link signs to reach the nearest pick-up/drop-off area:
- Terminal A: Between A15 and A16 and between A25 and A26
- Terminal B: Between B12 and B13 and at B23
- Terminal C: Between C12 and C15 and between C24 and C27
- Terminal D: At D17 and at D24
- Terminal E: Between E9 and E13 and between E18 and E21
- American Airlines Admirals Club - A24, B5, C20, D24. (A24 has the best showers and a small gym.)
- American Express Centurion - D17
- British Airways First and Business Lounges - D21
- Delta Sky Club - E10
- Korean Air Lounge - D21
- Lufthansa Lounge - D21
- Priority Pass - D21 (The Club at DFW)
- Qantas Lounge - D21
- Qatar Lounge - D21
- The Club at DFW - D21
- The United Club - E7
- Hyatt Regency - Adjacent to Terminal C
- Grand Hyatt - Terminal D
- Minute Suites (hourly rental private microsuites) - D23 (Link) (coming to Terminal A)
Many nearby hotels offer free van transportation to / from DFW.
(Don't forget to ask for a "distressed traveler rate" if you are stuck at DFW because you missed your connection, your flight was cancelled, etc. You can get a distressed traveler voucher from your airline, but you can often get it from a hotel if you cal land can present proof of delay, etc. upon check-in.)
Link to Terminals/Connections page
Link to Connections Guide downloadable PDF
Link to Terminals and Amenities page 1 (links to terminals guides)
Link to DFW Flight Information page
Link to main DFW International Airport website.
FT thread: DART light rail to downtown opens station at DFW 8 Aug 2014 thread link
FT thread: DFW has modified two gates at Terminal D to accept the A380; I took QF A380 to SYD Nov 2014. thread link.
FT thread: Thieves targeting cars parked at DFW thread link.
Updated March 2016, JDiver
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DFW - Dallas Ft Worth flight connections
Jan 31, 2016, 8:05 am
#47
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No need to exit security. Check in online or at an airside kiosk. The airside train connects ask terminals.
With that long a layover I'd also consider omitting the Waco segment and just driving. With a 5:35 arrival, you could get to the rental cars by 6:30 and be in Waco by 8:30.
With that long a layover I'd also consider omitting the Waco segment and just driving. With a 5:35 arrival, you could get to the rental cars by 6:30 and be in Waco by 8:30.
Jan 31, 2016, 8:09 am
#48
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Jan 31, 2016, 8:09 am
#49
Join Date: Jul 2013
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You should be fine. The only issue here is getting out of customs, and getting your checked bag, which can take a while at Terminal D.
When I come in from wherever into D, (I live here in DFW), it takes me about 30 minutes total to get out. I have had it as bad as 1 hour if the line is really long and global entry is closed on the other side of the baggage claim.
AA will pick you off at the gate when you come in though so you are expedited through. Just look for the big orange stickers and a gate agent when you get off the plane.
Jan 31, 2016, 8:24 am
#50
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OP - Also, are you a USN, traveling on an ESTA, visa? Any immigration issues? Checked luggage, GE?
All of these are major variables in processing time.
Lastly, what is Plan B? If you misconnect, when is the next flight? If it's a 6-hour wait, that's unpleasant, if it's 1-hour, do you really care?
All of these are major variables in processing time.
Lastly, what is Plan B? If you misconnect, when is the next flight? If it's a 6-hour wait, that's unpleasant, if it's 1-hour, do you really care?
Jan 31, 2016, 8:26 am
#51
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Not necessarily. I have taken YYZ bound flights from the last few gates of terminal C on a couple of occasions. These get dubbed the default Canada gates (as told to me by a GA - usually cause a minor headache with the duty free guy taking forever to get there at door closing).
Case in point - this afternoon's flight is departing C27. I have actually taken more flights to YYZ from gate C than gate D.
Either ways, as others have mentioned, 50 minutes still should be plenty.
Case in point - this afternoon's flight is departing C27. I have actually taken more flights to YYZ from gate C than gate D.
Either ways, as others have mentioned, 50 minutes still should be plenty.
Jan 31, 2016, 4:21 pm
#52
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Apr 1, 2016, 9:43 am
#53
Join Date: Sep 2015
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DFW Connection
Is 40 minutes enough time to get to terminal B for an Eagle Flight? The arriving flight arrives at 9:20pm. The next flight leaves at 10pm which is the last flight out where I am going too. Is there any chance that if I ask American if they can delay the 10pm flight in order to make the connecting flight?
Apr 1, 2016, 1:42 pm
#54
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Is 40 minutes enough time to get to terminal B for an Eagle Flight? The arriving flight arrives at 9:20pm. The next flight leaves at 10pm which is the last flight out where I am going too. Is there any chance that if I ask American if they can delay the 10pm flight in order to make the connecting flight?
If you arrive late, you can ask the agent at the arrival gate to let the departure gate know you're on the way, but I wouldn't expect them to hold the flight. Just this past Sunday at DFW, I watched a late-connecting passenger coming in from London arrive at the gate for the last flight of the night to STL 8 minutes before scheduled departure. Despite the jet bridge still being attached, they didn't re-open the door.
Apr 1, 2016, 9:41 pm
#55
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If I had any choice at all, I would never book less than a 90 minute connection at DFW. But then I'm risk-averse.
Apr 2, 2016, 8:57 am
#56
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40 minutes is sufficient, if your inbound is on time. If you are delayed, maybe not.
If you arrive late, you can ask the agent at the arrival gate to let the departure gate know you're on the way, but I wouldn't expect them to hold the flight. Just this past Sunday at DFW, I watched a late-connecting passenger coming in from London arrive at the gate for the last flight of the night to STL 8 minutes before scheduled departure. Despite the jet bridge still being attached, they didn't re-open the door.
If you arrive late, you can ask the agent at the arrival gate to let the departure gate know you're on the way, but I wouldn't expect them to hold the flight. Just this past Sunday at DFW, I watched a late-connecting passenger coming in from London arrive at the gate for the last flight of the night to STL 8 minutes before scheduled departure. Despite the jet bridge still being attached, they didn't re-open the door.
Apr 2, 2016, 6:22 pm
#57
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Apr 10, 2016, 11:27 pm
#58
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Holding flights whilst waiting for connecting bags
I had a tight connection at DFW today due to my inbound flight being late. From gate arrival of inbound flight to advertised departure of outbound flight was just over 20 minutes and I was connecting onto the last flight home that night.
I got on the plane 14 minutes prior to advertised departure (after a lot of running). Another couple of people got there a few minutes later.
The door was closed several minutes prior to the departure time but we pushed back 2 minutes late. I was looking out the window and saw the countdown display counting down the minutes then at departure time it said HOLD. A little later a pick-up truck arrived, the connecting bags were loaded, the display went to -2 and we left.
I've noticed flights being held for connecting passengers but had never noticed them being held for connecting bags before. Kudos to AA for this. Is it common at DFW?
I got on the plane 14 minutes prior to advertised departure (after a lot of running). Another couple of people got there a few minutes later.
The door was closed several minutes prior to the departure time but we pushed back 2 minutes late. I was looking out the window and saw the countdown display counting down the minutes then at departure time it said HOLD. A little later a pick-up truck arrived, the connecting bags were loaded, the display went to -2 and we left.
I've noticed flights being held for connecting passengers but had never noticed them being held for connecting bags before. Kudos to AA for this. Is it common at DFW?
Apr 11, 2016, 11:16 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, AA Advantage, and HHonors
Posts: 38
I had a tight connection at DFW today due to my inbound flight being late. From gate arrival of inbound flight to advertised departure of outbound flight was just over 20 minutes and I was connecting onto the last flight home that night.
I got on the plane 14 minutes prior to advertised departure (after a lot of running). Another couple of people got there a few minutes later.
The door was closed several minutes prior to the departure time but we pushed back 2 minutes late. I was looking out the window and saw the countdown display counting down the minutes then at departure time it said HOLD. A little later a pick-up truck arrived, the connecting bags were loaded, the display went to -2 and we left.
I've noticed flights being held for connecting passengers but had never noticed them being held for connecting bags before. Kudos to AA for this. Is it common at DFW?
I got on the plane 14 minutes prior to advertised departure (after a lot of running). Another couple of people got there a few minutes later.
The door was closed several minutes prior to the departure time but we pushed back 2 minutes late. I was looking out the window and saw the countdown display counting down the minutes then at departure time it said HOLD. A little later a pick-up truck arrived, the connecting bags were loaded, the display went to -2 and we left.
I've noticed flights being held for connecting passengers but had never noticed them being held for connecting bags before. Kudos to AA for this. Is it common at DFW?
May 21, 2016, 9:46 am
#60
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Hi, quick question. I am flying BA into DFW and connecting to Canada on a BA codeshare on AA.
It is not clear to me what this means (not is there anything on my BA manage my Booking) in terms of connections, so do I still need to enter the USA and collect my bags and check in again?
I am concerned because (though I have 1 hour 50 mins between flights, there are stories in the BBC News about very long delays due to lack of TSA staff.
Any insights/help much appreciated.
It is not clear to me what this means (not is there anything on my BA manage my Booking) in terms of connections, so do I still need to enter the USA and collect my bags and check in again?
I am concerned because (though I have 1 hour 50 mins between flights, there are stories in the BBC News about very long delays due to lack of TSA staff.
Any insights/help much appreciated.
