Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Terminals

The airport consists of five opposite semicircular terminals (A, B, C, D, E), with International Parkway and other road systems in between. Inside each semicircle, there is parking. Terminals C and D also have hotels.

Photo by Briana Tozour on Unsplash 

User impressions of the airport are mixed. While some highlight the convenience of the transportation services between terminals and the wide range of shops and restaurants, others mention difficulties related to signage, maintenance of facilities, and managing connections. The opinions reflected here come from multiple reviews on Google, Yelp, and other frequent traveler sources.

Below, terminal features and user experiences are detailed, highlighting the positive and negative aspects of each terminal.

Connecting Between Terminals

Pre-Security

All terminals are connected outside the secure area by the free Terminal Link shuttle service, which stops at all terminals from 5:00 am to 12:00 am. Outside these hours, it is only available by calling +1 972 574 5465. The buses run every 10 minutes from the upper level of each terminal, except at Terminal D, where boarding and disembarking take place on the lower level. All vehicles have wheelchair access.

Passengers report that the free Terminal Link shuttle service is a useful way to move between terminals before passing through security. However, some mention that the buses can be crowded and that waiting times can be long, which raises concerns, especially for tight connections.

Terminal Link shuttle buses operate from:

• Terminal A
  • Gate A10 to gates A1-A20 and the airport's DART train station
  • Gate A29 to gates A21-A39
• Terminal B
  • Gate B17 to gates B1-B25
  • Gate B46 to gates B26-B49 and the airport's TEXRail station
• Terminal C
  • Gate C4 to gates C1-C20
  • Gate C35 to gates C21-C39
• Terminal D
  • Gate D17 to gates D1-D22
  • Gate D25 to gates D23-D40
• Terminal E
  • Gate E10 to gates E2-E18
  • Gate E35 to gates E20-E38

Post-Security

The free Skylink light rail allows passengers to connect between terminals while remaining within the secure area (if your flight arrival permits, based on immigration and customs requirements).

The train operates 24 hours a day and departs every 2 minutes from two stations within each terminal. With trains running clockwise and counterclockwise, the maximum travel time between the most distant points is only 9 minutes.

The Skylink train is praised for its efficiency and speed in moving within the secure area. However, at certain times, passengers experience delays or technical issues that extend travel times between terminals. Still, many consider this system an important airport advantage.

On the other hand, ground transportation is accessible from the pre-security internal areas of each terminal.

Terminal A

Terminal A has 3 levels:
Level 1 (lower), Level 2 (boarding and check-in), Level 3 (Skylink stop, gates A13/A16 and A29/A34)

This terminal has 26 boarding gates and is exclusively used by American Airlines. It is connected to Terminals B and C by walkways in the secure area.

To reach Terminal B on foot, take the escalators or elevator in front of gate 39 to the Skylink walkway. To reach Terminal C, the walkway is located just after gate 39, on the same level as the exits. Both routes have moving walkways.

Positive Aspects: Many passengers appreciate the smooth connection of this terminal to Terminals B and C through walkways. The varied range of shops and restaurants also makes waiting times more pleasant.

Negative Aspects: Some travelers mention that seating areas may be insufficient during peak hours, and certain comments suggest that the terminal can become congested during high-traffic times.

Terminal B

Terminal B has 3 levels:
Level 1 (lower), Level 2 (boarding and check-in), Level 3 (Skylink station, gates B9/B12 and B28/B31)

Comprising 45 gates, it also exclusively serves American Airlines flights for domestic routes. Terminal B is connected to Terminals A and D through walkways in the secure area.

To reach Terminal A, continue past gate B4 and take the elevator or stairs up to the Skylink platform, where there are moving walkways.

To connect to Terminal D, go past gate B1 and turn right. There are no moving walkways on this route.

Positive Aspects: Frequent travelers appreciate the relative quiet of this terminal compared to busier ones and note that security lines are often quick and efficient.

Negative Aspects: Reviews indicate issues with signage and a lack of clear assistance, which can cause confusion when moving between terminals or to ground transportation.

Terminal C

Terminal C has 4 levels:
Level 1 (lower), Level 2 (boarding and check-in), Level 3 (mezzanine), Level 4 (Skylink stop, gates C8/C12 and C27/C32)

This terminal has 29 gates and, like the previous two, is also exclusively used by American Airlines. It is connected to Terminal A by a walkway in the secure area, accessible past gate C2, on the boarding level.

To connect to Terminal D, take the elevator or escalator just after gate C2 to the Skylink platform on level 3, where moving walkways will take you to your destination.

Positive Aspects: Terminal C offers a good connection with Terminal A and easy access to Skylink, making flight connections easier. Many passengers find the layout of shops and restaurants convenient.

Negative Aspects: Several users mention that the terminal facilities need renovation, especially in areas like bathrooms and rest areas, which are seen as old or poorly maintained.

Terminal D

Terminal D has 4 levels:
Level 1 (baggage claim), Level 3 (boarding and check-in), Level 4 (mezzanine), Level 5 (Skylink station, gates D11/D20 and D24/D34)

It has 33 gates and is the main international terminal at DFW, with a variety of airlines operating various routes. It also serves some domestic arrivals and departures.

Past gate D40, turning the corner on the same level, you can reach Terminal B, and by taking the escalator or elevator to the Skylink connector bridge, you can access Terminal C.

Positive Aspects: Many international travelers appreciate the variety of shops and dining options in this terminal. Users also highlight the efficiency of Skylink for quick connections.

Negative Aspects: Some passengers complain about the confusion caused by last-minute gate changes, which adds stress to connections. Additionally, there are reported issues with organization in customs and security areas during peak hours.

Terminal E

Terminal E has 3 levels:
Level 1 (lower), Level 2 (boarding and check-in), Level 3 (Skylink stop, gates E8/E11 and E31/E32)

This terminal has 41 gates that serve flights across the United States and Canada. As the only terminal not directly connected to another by walkways, all connections to and from Terminal E must be made via the Skylink to stay within the secure area or by using the ground shuttle service Terminal Link and going through security again at the connecting terminal.

Positive Aspects: Passengers highlight that Terminal E is one of the least crowded, allowing for faster security checks and less congestion. Many also appreciate the relative calm of this terminal compared to the others, especially for domestic flights.

Negative Aspects: Some users have reported difficulties connecting with other terminals, as Terminal E is not directly connected via walkways. This requires reliance on Skylink or Terminal Link, which can be confusing and stressful when dealing with tight connections.