Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) Flights & Flight Status

Dallas’s “second” airport, Dallas Love Field (DAL), has served the DFW Metroplex since 1917, and is now the busiest medium-hub airport in the country, despite only having 20 gates and no international travel. If you’re traveling through the Dallas–Fort Worth area and need to know the ins and outs of Dallas Love Field, my guide will help you find all the spots you need, from lounges and dining to shops and other amenities.

I’ll show you the best way to get to and from Dallas Love Field, whether you’re getting there by rail, a rideshare such as Uber and Lyft, a private car service or by car, as well as an overview of the security procedures at the airport.

Terminal information

Dallas Love Field consists of a single terminal with two wings and a central area. The central part of the terminal includes the security checkpoint, a conference center and a few restaurants. Baggage claim and check-in are located on the left and right wings, respectively. Past the central area is the departures area, which forms a “T” shape. In the departures area, there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and even a children’s play area.

Being a smaller airport, all of Dallas Love Field can be accessed on foot, so there are no shuttles or rail services within the terminal. All connections are made within the secure area so there’s no need to go through security again. Because of all this, I find it a relatively quick and easy airport to navigate, and I don’t mind a shorter connection time than what I’d usually book at a larger hub.

How to get to and from Dallas Love Field

Dallas Love Field is one of the closest airports relative to a city center in the United States. Just six miles from Downtown Dallas, getting quickly to and from the airport is a breeze. It will typically take you less than 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

While Dallas may seem like an unlikely place to use public transportation to get to the airport, I love how easy it is to get to the terminal. I always prefer taking public transportation when possible, so I appreciate this option for getting to the airport.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Love Link bus operates between Dallas Love Field and the Inwood/Love Field rail station while also providing links to the Green and Orange light rail lines for faster public transit into the city and surrounding suburbs. The Love Link is accessible near baggage claim and ticketing/check-in at the ground transportation level.

To rent a car, head to the ground transportation area on the lower level and take a courtesy shuttle. There are nine well-known rental agencies here and they each operate their own shuttles, but you can take any of them – they all go to the same place. There’s also a counter for each of them near baggage claim, but I’ve never seen an employee at any of these so just hop on a shuttle and handle your transaction when you arrive. It’s only about 3 minutes away.

Rideshare services and taxis both pick up from Parking Garage B, along with private cars and limos. The walk to this area is a little longer than it used to be, but only by a few minutes. While taxis offer flat rates from Dallas–Fort Worth Airport, fares from DAL are metered so it’s impossible to know ahead of time if rideshare or taxi will be cheaper. I usually base my decision on how long the rideshare wait will be and if there are taxis already in the queue ready to go.

Parking at DAL

There are three parking garages at Dallas Love Field: A, B, and C. Garage A is the most convenient of the three, as it is connected to the terminal building via a sky bridge on level 3. Garage B, while still connected via the level 3 sky bridge, is further away than A. C is located east of the terminal and connected to the ticketing wing.

The first 30 minutes at each garage are free, and Garage B is the least expensive overall. I opt for the uncovered level here because it’s even cheaper, but only by a few dollars, so feel free to treat yourself to some shade.

Visitors picking up passengers can wait for free in the cell phone waiting lot for up to 60 minutes. The lot is located on the northeast corner of Hawes Avenue and Herb Kelleher Way. A smaller cell phone waiting lot with 12 spaces is also available closer to the airport, just off Contrail Lane.

Security at Dallas Love Field

Dallas Love Field has a single security checkpoint in the central terminal area. It operates from 4 am until the last daily flight departure.

The security checkpoint has a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane and two dedicated CLEAR lanes: one for TSA PreCheck passengers and one for general boarding passengers. The CLEAR lanes and enrollment services are available daily from 4:30 am to 9 pm. I could quickly get through security by using CLEAR to jump to the front of the PreCheck line, but even general security will typically take less than 15 minutes.

Things to do during a layover at Dallas Love Field

If you have a few minutes (or maybe a lot of minutes) between flights, there are plenty of options to keep yourself busy while waiting for your next flight. The children’s playroom is a must-visit amenity if you have a kid. It features a Dallas Mavericks-themed basketball play area and plenty of other toys to keep little ones occupied while waiting to board.

There is a dog relief area just past security to let your furry friend have a chance to go before takeoff, and several private mothers’ areas are available for childcare. Other worthwhile amenities in the terminal include a prayer garden, smoking area, water refilling stations and vending machines for a quick bite.

Love Field has an art program that highlights Texas artists and features works ranging from sculpture to paintings and mixed media. I particularly enjoyed Flying Dreams, an installation featuring three life-size figures with propellers in their mouths suspended from the ceiling in front of a mural of similar figures in the sky.

Where to eat and shop at Dallas Love Field

If you arrive at Dallas Love Field hungry, you are in luck because there are plenty of restaurants within the terminal, with plenty of familiar food court faces like Auntie Anne’s, Baskin Robbins, and Moe’s Southwest Grill. If you’re going this route, opt for every Texan’s favorite: Whataburger. Try a whataburger, of course, and a sweet tea.

If you’re like me and prefer a more unique and local dining experience at the airport, there are several great options, including local Italian favorite Campisi’s and sandwich spot Texpress Gourmet. I love grabbing a couple slices of Campisi’s award-winning pizza, but if I want to take something onto my next flight, the packaged bites from Texpress are a safer bet.

Sports fans can catch a game at Cool River Cafe, the Dallas Cowboys Club, First Quarter Bar and Grill or Turco35, owned by former Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco. Those looking for a more peaceful pre-flight experience can have a drink at AV8 Bar and Cafe, Cru Wine Bar and Hops and Grapes.

Lounges and alternatives

The size of Dallas Love Field means there are no private airport lounges, although there is a USO Lounge available for members of the military and their families to access. The comfortable space includes couches and chairs to relax on, while family members can use one of the provided computers, watch a movie on the large-screen televisions, play games, use the kitchen or play in the children’s play area. Snacks, soft drinks, and water are complimentary inside the lounge.