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DFW Airport Newsroom

DFW Airport Prepares for Busy Spring Break Travel

Customers are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive early and use digital tools during the travel period

DFW AIRPORT, Texas (March 6, 2026)

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is preparing for a busy spring break travel period, with approximately 4.7 million customers expected to travel to, from and through the airport between March 5 and March 24.

The busiest days for travel during the holiday period – when curbsides and roadways will be most congested – are expected to be the weekends of March 13-16 and March 20-23. With many North Texas school districts observing spring break during the same week of March 16–20, travel demand will be more concentrated than usual, making it especially important for customers to plan ahead – including prebooking parking, allowing extra travel time and using DFW’s digital tools to help navigate peak conditions.

DFW recommends that travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights to allow ample time to reach their gate. Building in extra time can help customers navigate heavier traffic, busy terminal curbs, parking demand and elevated activity at check-in and security screening areas.

Prepare for DFW’s Busiest Spring Break Travel Days

Travel demand is expected to remain elevated throughout the spring break period, but certain days are anticipated to be busier than others.

The top three overall* busiest days during the holiday period are expected to be:

  • March 15: 262K
  • March 22: 259K
  • March 13: 253K

*Overall busiest days include all customers traveling to, through or from DFW.

While the top five busiest days for local customers** during the holiday period are anticipated to be:

  • March 22: 126K
  • March 13: 125K
  • March 15: 123K
  • March 12: 118K
  • March 19: 116K

**Local customers are those beginning or ending their trip at DFW.

The busiest local travel days will bring heavier traffic to airport roadways and terminal curbs, so customers are encouraged to plan ahead, confirm their departure terminal and allow extra time when traveling during peak days.

Some terminal areas are expected to experience record traveler numbers during the holiday period. Terminal curbs and access roadways are anticipated to experience the highest congestion from late morning hours into the early evening throughout the period.

Navigate Busy Terminals and Airport Roadways

Customers traveling during spring break should prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic across airport roadways, especially when approaching terminals from the north and along all terminal curbs.

Terminal C roadway detours remain in place on International Parkway as bridge construction continues. Terminal C is only accessible via the southbound entrance from International Parkway. Customers arriving from the south, will be required to travel northbound past all terminal entrances and take the left-hand U-turn exit before the North Exit Plaza to return to southbound International Parkway. Then, all customers will take the existing left-hand exit to Terminal C.

Customers flying American Airlines may check in at any terminal and proceed through security at the location with the shortest wait times, then connect to their gate using Skylink. Based on live traffic conditions, access into Terminals A, B and C are typically quickest from the north, while Terminals D and E are generally easiest to access from the south.

Plan with Real-Time Insight and Tools

DFW offers a suite of tools designed to help customers move efficiently from roadway to gate. Whether you’re entering a parking plaza or navigating security, planning ahead can make a significant difference during peak travel periods.

Drivers using TollTag can speed up entry and exit at parking plazas by utilizing dedicated TollTag lanes for automatic scanning.

The DFW Airport mobile app, available on iOS and Android, provides even more real-time tools to help customers plan ahead, including:

Use Public Transit to Skip Airport Traffic

Public transit remains a convenient option for avoiding roadway congestion during spring break, offering direct access to airport terminals:

  • DART Silver Line: Connecting Plano to Terminal B with stops in Richardson, Addison, Carrollton and Coppell.
  • DART Orange Line: Direct service from Plano, downtown Dallas and Irving to Terminal A.
  • Trinity Metro TEXRail: Service from downtown Fort Worth through North Richland Hills and Grapevine to Terminal B.
  • TRE + TRE Link Shuttle: Connections between Dallas, Fort Worth and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.

Transit is also a helpful option for arriving customers who can coordinate pickups away from terminal curbs to reduce congestion.

Follow Curbside and Parking Protocols

Terminal curbs are reserved for active loading and unloading only. Customers waiting to pick up passengers should use designated cell phone lots or one-hour parking inside terminal garages, available at no additional charge.

Additional spring break travel tips and resources are available at dfwairport.com/springbreak/.

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, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.