Dallas Airport Live Departures
Dallas Airport Check-in and Departures Information
With nearly 300 domestic and international destinations on offer, one of your biggest challenges when departing from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will be deciding where to go!
On the day of your flight, you’ll find the Dallas Airport Departures Hall on the upper level of your terminal. If you haven’t already checked in online, you can use a self-service kiosk on arrival or speak to an airline staff member at your dedicated check-in counter.
For online check-in, you’ll be given a mobile boarding pass, or you can print one out along with any bag tags at a self-service kiosk. Any bags will need to be taken to the “Bag Drop” counter, with some airlines, such as Spirit Airlines, offering a fully automated biometric process.
Online check-in generally opens up 24 hours in advance, while opening times for airline counters can vary. In any case, the cut-off time for dropping off your bags is usually 1 hour before take-off.
Lastly, some airlines offer curb-side check-in near the terminal entrance. Airlines often charge a small fee for this service, but it may save you time if you’re running a little late. To find exactly which terminal you are departing from, check out our live flight tracker above for a list of all Dallas Airport departures for today.
Terminal A
Location: Check-in counters and airline lounges are located on Level 2.
Terminal B
Location: Check-in counters and airline lounges are located on Level 2.
Terminal C
Location: Check-in counters and airline lounges are located on Level 2.
Terminal D
Location: Check-in counters are located on Level 3.
Lounges: The Centurion Lounge is located on the Mezzanine Level. All other lounges are located on Level 2.
Terminal E
Location: Check-in counters and business lounges are located on Level 2.
When to arrive at Dallas Airport?
The airport recommends that all Dallas-Fort Worth departures arrive at least 2 hours ahead of their scheduled flight. However, it’s best to follow your airline’s guidelines and to check the current wait times for Security to help plan a stress-free journey.
What’s next?
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is very stringent about what you can and can’t pack in your hand luggage, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with their list of prohibited items before arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Departures.
As a standard rule, liquids, gels, and aerosols (LAGs) that are under 100 mL can be taken through, so long as they are placed in a clear resealable bag with a total volume of 1 liter or less. The exception to this is medications and baby foods.
Sharp objects and flammables should also be avoided, or placed in your checked luggage at home. If you’re wearing a jacket, hat, or belt, you’ll need to remove them before passing through the X-ray scanner, along with your shoes and any loose metallic objects such as coins, keys, and phones.
Security wait times vary depending on the time of day and which terminal you’re departing from, but you should be prepared for lines of more than 20 minutes. TSA PreCheck is available in Terminals A, C, D, and E, which can reduce your wait times, and CLEAR is also available in Terminal E.
*DFW trialed a dedicated fast lane, but it is no longer in place.
What to do in Departures at Dallas Airport?
Each of the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Departures areas offers something different, although you won’t be short of places to eat or shop while you wait to board. Enjoy favorites such as Starbucks and Whataburger, or grab some merchandise at the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop.
Keep those steps up with a marked walking path nearly a mile long at Terminal D, or seek out the different art exhibitions scattered around each terminal. If you need to work or prefer to relax in peace, visit one of the business lounges or seek out a quiet zone.
Across each terminal, passengers will find complimentary WiFi, accessible bathrooms, information counters, ATMs, vending machines, and duty-free stores (international only).
Thanks to the free Skylink, you can easily move between terminals and explore even more of Dallas Airport. For a complete overview of what’s on offer, download the DFW Airport App or check out our Dallas Airport Guide!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended arrival time at DFW Airport?
Dallas-Fort Worth Airport departures should aim to arrive at least 2 hours in advance, preferably 3 if you are flying overseas.