Dallas Love Field Airport [DAL] – Ultimate Terminal Guide

Key Takeaways

• Dallas Love Field (DAL) is a convenient airport located close to downtown Dallas, with 1 terminal offering domestic flights.
• The compact airport features modern amenities, including dining, shopping, and various ground transportation options, making it easy to navigate and accessible.
• DAL has 1 security checkpoint, a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane, and 2 CLEAR security lines.

Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) is one of the fastest-growing U.S. airports and operates flights to domestic destinations only. In 2023, it served 17.5 million passengers. Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Southwest are the only major airlines to run out of DAL, with the occasional seasonal route from smaller operators.

Quick Info

Airport: Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
Terminals: 1 terminal
Airport Address: 8008 Herb Kelleher Way, Dallas, TX 75235
Distance From Downtown Dallas: 6 miles (10 km)
Websites: dallas-lovefield.com
Phone Number: 214-670-5683
Annual Passengers: Over 16.7 million
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found on the airport’s website

Airlines Operating From DAL

• Alaska Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines

DAL Airport Terminals

DAL has 1 terminal that sits at the northern end of the airport. Access roads loop around the parking garages and run in front of the terminal entrance on 2 levels for departures and arrivals. Rental car offices are located at the southern end of the airport, off of Herb Kelleher Way.

Main Terminal

The terminal consists of a central area and 2 wings:

• The central area has a few cafes, a conference center, and the security checkpoint
• The ticketing wing is to the east and has curbside check-in and the airline desks
• The baggage claim wing is to the west

Parking garage A is directly in front of the terminal and is connected via a sky bridge that also provides access to parking garage B. Parking garage C is the newest parking garage connected to the ticketing wing.

Departures Area

The departures area is T-shaped, with passengers clearing security at the southern end. Shops, restaurants, and a children’s play area line the initial corridor, and the departure gates run along the top of the T-shape.

Large seating areas are located in the central area, and further seating can be found at the 20 departure gates, numbered 1 to 20.

Inter-terminal Transport

All areas of the airport can be reached by foot, so there are no shuttle buses or rail services required to get around DAL. Passengers can connect inside the secure area, provided they are not required to collect luggage between flights, and the parking garages are all within walking distance from the terminal.

Passengers renting a car will need to catch a courtesy shuttle bus from the ground transportation area on the lower level to the rental office a couple of miles away.

Security and Customs at DAL

DAL has 1 security checkpoint located in the central area of the terminal. The security checkpoint is open from 4 a.m. to the last daily departure.

TSA PreCheck

There is a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane at the security checkpoint. Check the TSA website for the schedule as opening hours vary.

There is no TSA Enrollment Center at DAL, with the closest located around 12 miles away from the airport at 5801 Marvin D. Love Fwy., Ste. 405, Dallas, TX 75237-2319.

CLEAR Security Program

DAL has 2 dedicated CLEAR security lines: 1 for CLEAR TSA PreCheck and 1 for general boarding. CLEAR lanes and enrollment are available daily from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

DAL Airport Lounges

A USO Lounge is located within the secure area near the Dallas Cowboys Club and is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Hot Tip: If you want to avoid paying for lounge day passes at other airports, check out these credit cards for airport lounge access that’s included as a cardholder benefit.

Dining and Drinks at DAL

DAL has 27 restaurants, cafes, and grab-and-go food counters, with only 3 located before security. Once inside security, there are places to eat throughout the departures area.

DAL Wi-Fi and Charging Points

Free Wi-Fi is provided at DAL, and customers have the option to purchase a faster connection. Choose “DAL Free WiFi” from the available connections.

Charging Stations: DAL has thousands of charging plugs and USB ports throughout the airport.

DAL Airport Lost and Found

The DAL Lost and Found Office is located outside of the secure area on the second level of the terminal, near the A/B parking garage sky bridge. Any items found within the public areas of the terminal or the security checkpoint will be sent here, and you can contact the office at 214-670-4227.

If you lose an item on an aircraft, you need to inquire with the relevant airline.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

Information booths can be found in baggage claim, near Bruegger’s Bagels at the entrance to the terminal, and in the central area of the departures concourse.

Children’s Play Area

DAL has a children’s play area after security in the stem area of the departures concourse.

Hot Tip: Explore the most kid-friendly U.S. airports and see why DAL was one of the worst airports on our list.

Baby Facilities

A nursing room is located next to Sky Cannon restaurant on the right side after clearing security.

Traveling With a Pet

DAL has 3 pet relief areas located:

• Outside the baggage claim area
• Outside the parking garage A
• Just after security, on the left

Smoking Areas

Smoking is only permitted in a designated area outside the terminal on the upper level. There are no smoking areas inside the secure area.

Money

There are 3 ATMs within the secure area and 3 outside of the secure area.

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at DAL.

Important DAL Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 214-670-5683

Parking: 214-670-5683

Lost and Found: 214-670-4227

Travel to and From DAL

Transport Options

Train

The closest DART light rail station is approximately 2 miles from the terminal building. Passengers can ride the Love Link 55 bus between the airport and the DART station for connections to the Green and Orange Lines. The bus journey takes 8 minutes with services from either end of the lower level ground transportation area.

The DART light rail runs to downtown Dallas, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and many other destinations within Dallas.

Bus

Intercity and charter buses operate from DAL. The bus stop is located behind the ticketing wing of the terminal building, and passengers must follow signs for garage C passing the parking entrance.

Shuttles and Limousines

Rideshare shuttles are available along row E on the lower level of parking garage A. Some services may require an advance reservation.

Limousine and black car services can be booked on the lower level of baggage claim.

Taxi

The taxi stand is located across the street from the terminal on the lower level of the ground transportation area.

A taxi from DAL to downtown Dallas is around $20, excluding tip.

Rideshare

Rideshare operators may pick up from the lower level of baggage claim at designated areas marked with light blue signs. Passengers may be dropped off on the upper ticketing level.

Directions by Car to DAL

Arriving From Downtown Dallas

Take I-35 E north until exit 432A towards Inwood Road. Merge onto North Stemmons Freeway and turn right onto Inwood Road. Turn left onto Cedar Springs Road and continue straight onto Herb Kelleher Way for access to the terminal.

Arriving From Downtown Fort Worth

Take TX-121 N towards DFW Airport. Merge onto I-820 N/TX-121 N and stay right at the fork to continue on I-820 N/TX-121. Merge onto John W. Carpenter Freeway and turn left onto West Mockingbird Lane. Turn left onto Herb Kelleher Way for access to the terminal.

DAL Airport Parking Information

Garage A

Garage A is connected to the terminal building via a sky bridge on level 3, and offers some of the most convenient parking at the airport. The first 30 minutes are free, after which the following rates are charged:

• 30 minutes to 1 hour: $4
• 1 to 2 hours: $6
• 2 to 3 hours: $10
• 3 to 5 hours: $13
• 5 to 24 hours: $16

Garage B

Garage B is further from the terminal than garage A but is still connected via the level 3 sky bridge. The first 30 minutes are free, after which the following rates are charged:

• 30 minutes to 1 hour: $3
• 1 to 2 hours: $5
• 2 to 3 hours: $7
• 3 to 5 hours: $10
• 3 to 24 hours (covered parking): $13
• 3 to 24 hours (uncovered roof parking): $10

Garage C

Garage C is located east of the terminal and is connected to the ticketing wing, offering close and convenient parking. The first 30 minutes are free, after which the following rates are charged:

• 1 to 2 hours: $6
• 2 to 3 hours: $10
• 3 to 5 hours: $13
• 5 to 24 hours: $16
• 3 to 24 hours (uncovered roof parking): $13
• 5 to 24 hours (third-level premium parking): $25

Valet Parking

Valet parking is available south of the ticketing wing and charges the following rates:

• 0 to 1 hour: $8
• 1 to 2 hours: $13
• 2 to 3 hours: $16
• 3 to 5 hours: $19
• 5 to 24 hours: $28

Hot Tip: 6 electric vehicle charging stations are available in all 3 parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Pick-up and Drop-off Parking

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

Off-site and Hotel Parking

Price-conscious travelers will want to check out the options for off-site parking, with cheaper daily rates available.

When booked with airportparkingreservations.com, off-site parking is available from $5 per day with external parking lots operating shuttle buses to and from the airport.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Parking for passengers with disabilities can be found in all official airport parking lots. DAL offers complimentary parking to veterans displaying a disabled veteran license plate.

Parking Contact Number

General Inquiries: 214-670-5683

Car Rental at DAL Airport

When you arrive at DAL, you can visit one of the rental car counters in the corridor leading to baggage claim. The rental car offices are located at the southern end of the airport about 2 miles from the terminal. Courtesy shuttles transport passengers to and from the car rental offices from the ground transportation area on the lower level.

The following rental companies are available on-airport property:

Hot Tip: Consider a credit card that covers car rental insurance and avoid paying hefty insurance fees with the rental agency.

DAL Airport Hotels

The closest accommodation is located 1.3 miles away from DAL and includes a range of 2 to 4-star hotels and motels.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Dallas Central Market Center is just minutes from Dallas’ Central Market Center and the airport. The hotel offers a business center and meeting space, along with a fitness center, indoor pool and whirlpool, and a free Express Start breakfast bar each morning. Better yet, the hotel has a very reasonable redemption rate with award nights starting at 19,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas-Love Field offers both space and comfort to those needing to stay near Dallas Love Airport. In addition to being just 1.2 miles from the airport, the hotel is 20 minutes from downtown Dallas and a half-hour from AT&T Stadium. Amenities include free daily made-to-order breakfast, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a complimentary airport shuttle. For those looking for an award stay, Hilton no longer publishes an award chart, but you can expect award nights to cost around 40,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

The Aloft Dallas Love Field has a unique feature not often found in hotels — a robotic butler, Botlr, which can be called to your room at any time day or night for room service. The hotel is also pet-friendly, and guests can enjoy amenities like the outdoor pool, fitness center, and an airport shuttle. Award nights start at 15,000 to 20,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways to earn more Hilton Honors points, IHG One Rewards points, or Marriott Bonvoy points.

Final Thoughts

DAL has seen rapid growth over the last decade, thanks to the repeal of the Wright Agreement in 2014. Previously, this had restricted large aircraft from operating beyond Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

The airport puts a real emphasis on customer service, having won the Airport Service Quality Award for customer experience last in 2020, as awarded by the Airports Council International.

It may not provide the extensive route options that Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) offers, but DAL is a popular airport near downtown Dallas and offers cheap fares throughout the U.S.