Travelers Should Arrive Early to Navigate Crowds, Congestion and Construction
DFW AIRPORT, Texas (May 21, 2025)
The busy summer travel season kicks off this week as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) prepares to welcome an estimated 1.4 million passengers throughout the Memorial Day weekend period from Thursday, May 22 through Tuesday, May 27. The busy holiday weekend is also the official kickstart of summer travel with expanded flight schedules and increases in international flights.
Plan Ahead and Arrive Early
Major construction is underway across the airport. Customers are urged to include extra time in their travel journey to navigate construction areas and any congestion that summer crowds may cause.
- Arrive early: Travelers should arrive at the airport no later than two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Drivetime apps can help ensure proper planning of transit times based on live traffic conditions. Some airport roads have heavy construction taking place so it’s critical that passengers check drive-times.
- Prebook parking: Prebook parking online to save crucial decision-making time when getting to the airport. Plus, customers get the best rates when booking in advance. Terminal parking options are expected to fill up quickly this summer. Express and Remote parking lots are also available, which provide quick and convenient shuttle service to every terminal.
- Avoid roads with public transit: DART’s Orange Line provides direct access to Terminal A, while Trinity Metro’s TEXRail connects riders to Terminal B. Additionally, Trinity Railway Express (TRE) offers service from Dallas and Fort Worth to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, with terminal access via the TRE Link shuttle. For details on transit schedules and fares, visit DART, Trinity Metro or TRE.
Make Informed Decisions with the DFW Airport Mobile App
Travelers can make informed decisions along every step of their journey at DFW with the tools and information available in the DFW Airport Mobile App. Available for iOS and Android, app users can:
- Check parking availability: Decide where to park based on live parking availability in the terminal garages, as well as Express and Remote lots.
- View security wait times: Make savvy decisions on where to arrive, park and check-in based on live security wait times.
- Construction updates: Explore a categorized list of construction updates for travelers, including changes to parking, updates to security checkpoints and more.
- Sign up for push notifications: Get notified with important information by enabling push notifications before arriving at the airport.
- Customize your preferences: Create a MyDFW account to utilize customized features and opt-in to personalized preferences.
Increase in International Travel and Construction Means Busier Terminals
All terminals are expected to be busy this summer; however, if you’re flying out of Terminal C or Terminal D, it’s important to keep international travel and construction in mind.
- Terminal C construction underway: Major construction activity is taking place to rebuild and expand Terminal C, which has resulted in reduced parking availability and changes to check-in, security and more. Travelers are advised to arrive early to navigate the construction areas and view terminal updates ahead of time at dfwairport.com/construction.
- Terminal D international travel uptick: This summer, peak times for check-in and security checkpoints at Terminal D are anticipated in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Departing passengers on international flights are encouraged to arrive at least three hours before departure.
Use One-Hour Parking and Follow Curbside Rules to Keep Traffic Flowing
Curbside areas are designated for active passenger drop off and pick up only. Vehicles stopping in traffic lanes or waiting on the terminal curb until their party is ready will prohibit the flow of heavy traffic. Convenient one-hour parking options in terminal garages, as well as cell phone lots at the north and south end of the airport, allow vehicles to wait until passengers are ready for curbside pickup without impeding traffic. Police and security staff will be at the curbs to help move traffic along.
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 Mobile App for iOS and Android devices. Follow @dfwairport on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.