DFW is American Airlines' mega-hub, with massive domestic coverage and expanding international reach.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is American Airlines' largest hub and one of the busiest airports on the planet by aircraft movements. Five terminals connected by the Skylink tram offer gate-to-gate transfers in about 10 minutes. American controls roughly 80% of DFW's traffic, but that dominance is tempered by Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest at nearby Love Field (DAL), which keeps domestic pricing competitive across the metro area.
Texas has no state income tax, which doesn't directly affect airfares but does draw a lot of business travel — keeping flight frequency high on key corridors. Pricing from DFW follows standard US patterns: Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most expensive, January is cheap, and the March through May shoulder window offers the best balance. European routes via DFW have expanded rapidly, with direct services to Dublin, Madrid, and Barcelona added in recent years.
Love Field (DAL) is 10 miles from downtown and exclusively serves Southwest Airlines and a few smaller carriers. It's quicker to reach from central Dallas but offers only domestic routes. DFW is 18 miles northwest and handles all international traffic. The DART Orange Line connects DFW to downtown in about 50 minutes for $3, while Love Field is on the Inwood/Love Field station of the Green Line.
DFW handles all international flights and most domestic carriers. Love Field is Southwest-only for most purposes and closer to downtown. Compare fares on both — Southwest's free checked bags can shift the value equation on domestic trips.
January is usually the lowest point for domestic fares. March through May offers good value with pleasant weather. Avoid Thanksgiving week and late December — pricing can double versus off-peak dates.
The DART Orange Line runs from DFW Terminal A to downtown Dallas in about 50 minutes for $3. Rideshares take 30-45 minutes depending on traffic and cost $25-40. Rental car counters are in a separate facility connected by shuttle.
