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DFW Airport Newsroom

DFW Airport Gears Up for Busy Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period

DFW urges customers to arrive early, prepare for traffic and make the most of the airport’s digital tools

DFW AIRPORT, Texas (Nov. 20, 2025)

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is preparing for a busy Thanksgiving travel period, with an estimated 3 million customers projected between Nov. 20 and Dec. 2. Travelers should prepare for heavy traffic throughout the travel period, with the busiest time projected to be during the evening of Sunday, Nov. 30.

Roadway and curbside traffic will be especially busy during the travel period. Travelers can ensure a smoother experience by arriving early, planning ahead and following the airport’s best travel tips.

Prepare for the Busiest Travel Days at DFW

Large crowds are expected throughout the holiday period with four peak travel days anticipated for local departing and arriving customers. The airport’s roads and terminal curbs are anticipated to be the busiest on the following days:

  • Friday, Nov. 21
  • Wednesday, Nov. 26
  • Saturday, Nov. 29
  • Sunday, Nov. 30

Sunday, Nov. 30 is expected to be the busiest day with an estimated 269,000 travelers passing through DFW as customers return from the long holiday weekend.

Customers departing or arriving any day of the holiday season should expect heavy traffic across the airport’s roadways, particularly approaching the terminals from the north, and along the terminal curbs. These areas are likely to see higher levels of congestion than usual.

Heavy traffic is also expected at Terminal C due to ongoing construction in that area. Customers flying American Airlines have the flexibility to check in at any terminal, providing the opportunity to avoid traffic at Terminal C. Then, customers can easily connect to their gate with the Skylink train.

Arrive Extra Early This Thanksgiving

DFW strongly encourages travelers to arrive extra early during the Thanksgiving travel period, with a recommendation to add 60 to 90 minutes to their usual plans. At minimum, travelers should arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. The extra time will provide flexibility for customers navigating potential traffic, construction areas and parking availability, as well as check-in and security screening during peak times.

Additionally, customers should book parking in advance using the DFW website or mobile app, and use public transit when possible to reduce congestion and speed up their drop-off and pick-ups. When entering or exiting through DFW’s parking plazas, dedicated TollTag lanes are the quickest option.

Use DFW’s Digital Tools for Real-time Decision Making

The DFW Airport mobile app, available for iOS and Android, helps travelers plan ahead and stay informed with real-time features, including:

Customers can explore more holiday travel tips to make their journey easier.

Skip Airport Traffic with Public Transit

Public transportation offers a convenient alternative to avoiding roadway construction and detours with direct access to DFW’s terminals:

  • DART’s New Silver Line: This new service, launched in October, originates in Plano and stops in several cities along the way to DFW’s Terminal B, including Richardson, Addison, Carrollton and Coppell – bypassing downtown Dallas for a faster northern route.
  • DART’s Orange Line: Service extends from Plano, through downtown Dallas and Irving, before arriving at Terminal A.
  • Trinity Metro’s TEXRail: Starts in downtown Fort Worth, passing through North Richland Hills and Grapevine to Terminal B – offering an easy west-side connection.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE) connects Dallas and Fort Worth to the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, with easy terminal transfers via the TRE Link Shuttle.

Additionally, transit is a convenient option for customers landing at DFW. Travelers can take any of the transit options to a station closer to their destination, then coordinate a quick and easy pick-up to avoid the holiday crowds and curbside congestion at the airport.

Follow Curbside and Parking Protocol

To keep traffic flowing smoothly, curbside areas are reserved for active loading and unloading only. Customers waiting to pick up passengers are encouraged to use the airport’s cell phone lots or one-hour parking located in the terminal parking garages at no additional charge.

Navigate the New Entrance into Terminal B and Detours into Terminal A

One of DFW’s most complex construction projects, which is transitioning access into Terminals A, B and C to new right-hand exits from International Parkway, continues to make major progress with various detours underway to support the current phase of construction activity.

Customers flying out of Terminal B now access the terminal with new right-hand exits from International Parkway.

Customers departing out of Terminal A and arriving to the airport from the south will detour past the existing Terminal A entrance and take the left-hand U-turn before the North Exit Plaza to redirect to Terminal A’s southbound entrance. Signage along International Parkway will direct drivers through areas with adjusted traffic flow.

About Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the most connected and busiest airports in the world. Centered between owner cities Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major economic engine and job generator for the North Texas region. The airport’s historic $12 billion capital plan – DFW Forward – is set to transform the customer experience and plan for the future with monumental upgrades and expansions underway across DFW’s terminals, airfield and roadway infrastructure.

For more information, visit the DFW website or download the DFW Airport mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Follow @dfwairport on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.