DFW arrival time
 

I have a flight out of DFW at the beginning of February at 05:20 am. The airline states "Passengers with bags to check must check in at least 45 minutes prior to departure." Even though I will not have any checked baggage, I still plan on being there at least this early. I have not flown in a couple of years. The last time I flew I was told to be there 2 hours early, but it seems like I was able to get through security and get my ticket easily, and ended up setting in the terminal a long time waiting for the flight. Is this necessary to get there this early at DFW for this time of night? What is the latest reasonable time I could arrive and still make my flight?

It depends on the terminal and specific checkpoint. And whether you intend to opt-out of the strip search.

It took me longer to go through security to get back into Terminal D than it did to get off the plane and clear customs 2 weeks ago (with Global Entry). But a couple of the other checkpoints (Terminal C) didn't seem to have much of a line.

I'd allow an hour, knowing it's probably way longer than you need.

YMMV.

Most DFW security lines are usually 5 minutes or less, maybe up to 10-15 or so during busier times like Monday mornings (occasionally longer on holiday weekends). Since you're not checking bags, if you're able to print your boarding pass at home, that early in the morning, you'll most likely get from curb to gate in 5-10 minutes total.

But it's always good to allow some extra just-in-case time.

Critical factors unmentioned....How are you getting to airport? Parking rquirement & process?

Absolutely check in early, printing BP the night before, and check updates for terminal & gate #.

If being dropped off, go to terminal entrance nearest your gate, and at that time of day (!!), already checked in, security ought to take no more than 5-10 minutes. To be safe, rather than sorry, plan to arrive at terminal not much less than an hour before scheduled take off.

TWIAVBP ("The world is a very big place!"), and DFW is too. Plan ahead to know where you need to be and the most convenient, timely mways to be there.

If your flight is at 5:20 a.m., then you'll be at the airport and going through security somewhere around 4:30 a.m. Be prepared that not everything will be open.

I'm not sure how it is in DFW but other airports I've been through at odd hours have shut down certain less-used security checkpoints and herded people toward main ones. Also, coffee was hard to find! Hopefully that won't be the case for you.

I have been through DFW many times at different hours and different days. I never had to wait more than 10 to 15 minutes for security.

A36 checkpoints seems to be the quickest though. No NOS (as of a couple months ago).

The big question is, "What airline?". AA has a 40-minute cutoff for checked bags, and they are the sole airline in A, B, and C, so you are probably in Terminal D or E.