Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Southwest Airlines serves the Dallas area, but it does not operate scheduled passenger flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Southwest’s Dallas flights use Dallas Love Field, which has the airport code DAL. Because DFW and DAL are separate airports, checking the three-letter airport code before leaving home is essential.
Last verified: July 31, 2026. Airline schedules, gates, fares, and baggage benefits can change.
Quick Answer
Southwest Airlines does not operate scheduled passenger flights at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). In the Dallas area, Southwest uses Dallas Love Field (DAL), where it serves the main terminal. Book DAL—not DFW—and allow a generous transfer window if another airline brings you into DFW.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest Airlines uses Dallas Love Field, airport code DAL, rather than Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, code DFW.
- Southwest has no scheduled terminal, ticket-counter, gate, or route operation at DFW as of July 31, 2026.
- At Love Field, Southwest operates from the main terminal and currently lists gates A1–A10, A12, and A14–A20.
- DFW and DAL are separate airports, so travelers transferring between them must use road transportation or DART.
- Southwest now uses assigned seating, and checked-bag benefits depend on the fare, status, credit card, or other eligibility.
At a Glance
| Southwest’s Dallas Airport | Dallas Love Field (DAL) |
| Southwest Service at DFW | No scheduled passenger service |
| Terminal at DAL | Main Terminal |
| Current Southwest Gates | A1–A10, A12, and A14–A20; verify the day of travel |
Warning: Do not travel to DFW for a Southwest flight when your confirmation shows DAL. The airports have different entrances, terminals, parking systems, and public-transit stops. Going to the wrong airport can result in a missed flight.
Does Southwest Airlines Operate at DFW Airport?
No. The official DFW airline directory does not list Southwest Airlines. Southwest’s own Dallas booking and airport-information pages direct passengers to Dallas Love Field instead.
This means Southwest has no regular DFW departure terminal, check-in counter, baggage-drop area, assigned gates, or published DFW route network. Terminal E serves several other airlines, but it is not a Southwest terminal.
The confusion usually happens because both airports serve the Dallas–Fort Worth region and are often described casually as “Dallas airports.” Their official codes provide the clearest distinction:
- DFW: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- DAL: Dallas Love Field
Pro Tip: Search for “Dallas Love Field” or enter DAL when booking a Southwest trip. Do not rely only on the city name “Dallas,” because booking sites may also display DFW.
History of Southwest Airlines in Dallas
Southwest’s Dallas history is tied to Love Field, not DFW. According to Southwest’s official history, the airline began service from Dallas Love Field to Houston and San Antonio on June 18, 1971.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport became operational on January 13, 1974. Southwest remained at Love Field rather than developing the large DFW operation described in the original article.
For many years, federal rules commonly known as the Wright Amendment limited certain long-distance operations from Love Field. Most of those restrictions ended in 2014, allowing Southwest to broaden its domestic network from DAL. That expansion occurred at Love Field, not at DFW.
Southwest’s Current Dallas Operations
Southwest currently identifies Dallas Love Field as its Dallas airport. The airline’s official airport-information page lists the main terminal and gates A1–A10, A12, and A14–A20 for DAL.
Gate assignments can change because of construction, aircraft movements, delays, or operational needs. Passengers should use the Southwest app, airport monitors, or their mobile boarding pass for the final gate assignment.
Southwest currently recommends arriving at Love Field about 120 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Travelers who must park, check baggage, travel with children, request assistance, or fly during a holiday period may benefit from allowing additional time.
The aircraft image above is illustrative and does not indicate that Southwest operates at DFW.
Routes and Destinations From Dallas Love Field
Southwest markets a broad range of trips from DAL. Its official flights-from-Dallas page highlights domestic destinations and also allows travelers to explore international itineraries.
The following are examples of popular destinations shown by Southwest for Dallas Love Field. Availability, frequency, seasonality, and whether a trip is nonstop can change, so travelers should verify their dates directly with the airline.
| Destination | Airport | Booking Reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | ATL | Check the current operating days and times. |
| Chicago Midway | MDW | Confirm that the Chicago airport is MDW rather than ORD. |
| Denver | DEN | Frequency may vary by travel date. |
| Las Vegas | LAS | Compare the complete fare, including optional charges. |
| Los Angeles | LAX | Review the schedule for the exact travel date. |
| New Orleans | MSY | Seasonal adjustments are possible. |
| New York LaGuardia | LGA | Confirm LGA rather than JFK or Newark. |
| Orlando | MCO | Holiday demand may affect fares and frequency. |
Note: A destination displayed on Southwest’s Dallas page is not a promise that every date has a nonstop flight. Some international trips may require a connection. Always inspect the full itinerary before paying.
Southwest’s Terminal and Facilities at Dallas Love Field
Dallas Love Field has one passenger terminal with 20 gates. This simpler layout can be easier to navigate than a large multi-terminal airport, but passengers should still allow time for parking, baggage drop, security, and walking to the gate.
Love Field provides dining, retail, ground transportation, rental-car services, baggage claim, accessible assistance, and passenger information. The airport’s official terminal map can help travelers locate security, concessions, baggage claim, and gate areas.
Southwest’s ticket counter opens before the first departure of the day. Exact counter hours and gate assignments can vary, so the airline’s app and airport displays should be treated as the final source on the day of travel.
Dallas Love Field Compared With DFW Airport
DAL and DFW serve different travel needs. Love Field is Southwest’s Dallas base, while DFW hosts a much larger mix of domestic and international airlines.
Dallas Love Field
- Airport code: DAL
- Southwest operates from the main terminal.
- The airport has one terminal and 20 gates.
- It is the correct Dallas airport for a Southwest-operated flight.
- Its smaller layout may reduce the amount of terminal navigation required.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- Airport code: DFW
- Southwest does not operate scheduled passenger service there.
- The airport has several terminals and a broad international network.
- It may be the correct airport for American Airlines and numerous other carriers.
- Passengers arriving at DFW for a separate Southwest flight must transfer to DAL.
Southwest aircraft serve Dallas Love Field; the image above is not evidence of service at DFW.
How to Transfer From DFW Airport to Dallas Love Field
There is no airside connection between DFW and DAL. A traveler must leave the arrival airport, collect any checked baggage, travel across the Dallas area, and complete the normal check-in and security process at the other airport.
Public Transportation
DART’s official airport guide directs travelers from DFW Airport Terminal A Station to the Inwood/Love Field Station on the Orange Line. From there, DART Bus Route 5, known as the Love Link, travels to the Love Field terminal.
Passengers arriving at another DFW terminal may need to use DFW’s terminal-transport system to reach Terminal A before boarding the Orange Line. Service schedules can change on weekends, holidays, and during maintenance.
Taxi or Rideshare
A taxi or app-based rideshare is usually more direct than public transit. Road travel time can vary widely because of traffic, weather, construction, and the pickup location within DFW.
Rental Car or Private Vehicle
A rental car or private vehicle may be practical for travelers who also need transportation during their stay. Parking charges, rental return time, fuel, tolls, and traffic should be included in the plan.
Warning: Do not plan a tight self-transfer between DFW and DAL. Airlines are generally not responsible for protecting a separately booked connection when the first flight is delayed, baggage is late, traffic is heavy, or the traveler goes to the wrong airport.
Passenger Experience and Southwest Policies in 2026
Some features long associated with Southwest changed before this article’s July 2026 verification date. Travelers should not rely on older guides that describe open seating or two free checked bags for every passenger.
Assigned Seating
Southwest introduced assigned seating for travel on or after January 27, 2026. Seat-selection timing and the types of seats included depend on the fare, Rapid Rewards status, eligible credit-card benefits, and available upgrades.
The airline’s fare-types page should be checked before booking because the lowest fare may assign a seat at check-in, while other fare bundles can include earlier seat selection or access to preferred seating.
Checked Baggage
Checked bags are no longer automatically free for every Southwest passenger. According to Southwest’s optional travel charges:
- Bag fees apply to Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares unless an eligible benefit or exception applies.
- Choice Extra includes two checked bags.
- A-List Preferred members receive two checked bags.
- A-List members and qualifying Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers can receive a first-bag benefit under the airline’s current terms.
- Size, weight, itinerary, partner-airline, and eligibility restrictions may apply.
Because benefits and prices can change, travelers should review the baggage total shown during checkout rather than relying on an older “bags fly free” statement.
Booking a Southwest Flight From Dallas
Southwest flights can be booked through the airline’s website, mobile app, customer-service channels, or an authorized travel provider. The origin should show Dallas Love Field (DAL). A confirmation showing DFW is not a Southwest-operated Dallas departure.
Benefits and Challenges of Using Southwest at Dallas Love Field
Potential Benefits
- A single-terminal layout can make airport navigation more straightforward.
- Southwest offers a broad network of domestic destinations from Dallas.
- Love Field provides public transportation, parking, rental cars, taxis, and rideshare pickup.
- Travelers can compare several fare bundles and seating options.
Potential Challenges
- A traveler who assumes every Dallas flight uses DFW may go to the wrong airport.
- DAL and DFW are not connected airside.
- Separate-airport transfers add time, cost, and missed-connection risk.
- The lowest Southwest fares may include bag charges and limited advance seat selection.
- Routes, frequencies, gates, and fare benefits can change.
Future Southwest Service at DFW Airport
As of July 31, 2026, neither Southwest’s airport directory nor DFW’s official airline directory shows scheduled Southwest service at DFW. No verified announcement supports the original article’s claim that Southwest is planning a DFW route expansion or investing in DFW passenger facilities.
Airline networks can change, but rumors should not be treated as confirmed service. A genuine launch would normally appear in Southwest’s booking system, Southwest’s airport-information directory, and DFW’s airline directory.
Conclusion: Southwest Uses DAL, Not DFW
Southwest Airlines does not fly from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Its Dallas flights operate from Dallas Love Field, airport code DAL, where Southwest uses the main terminal.
Before traveling, check that the reservation, navigation app, parking booking, and ground-transport plan all show DAL. Travelers arriving at DFW on another airline should allow a generous transfer window and plan separate transportation to Love Field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwest Airlines operate out of DFW Airport?
No. Southwest does not operate scheduled passenger flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Its Dallas flights use Dallas Love Field, airport code DAL.
Which Dallas airport does Southwest Airlines use?
Southwest uses Dallas Love Field. Search for Dallas Love Field or enter DAL when booking, arranging transportation, or reserving parking.
What terminal does Southwest use at Dallas Love Field?
Southwest uses the main terminal at DAL. Its official airport-information page currently lists gates A1–A10, A12, and A14–A20, although individual gate assignments can change.
What destinations does Southwest fly to from Dallas?
Southwest markets flights and itineraries from DAL to destinations such as Atlanta, Chicago Midway, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York LaGuardia, Orlando, Phoenix, and other cities. Operating days, frequency, and nonstop availability vary.
Does Southwest offer international trips from Dallas Love Field?
Southwest’s Dallas booking page allows travelers to explore international itineraries from DAL. Some trips may require a connection, and availability depends on the destination, season, and travel date.
How can I travel from DFW Airport to Dallas Love Field?
Travelers can use a taxi, rideshare, rental car, private vehicle, or DART. The public-transit route uses the Orange Line from DFW Terminal A to Inwood/Love Field Station, followed by Route 5 Love Link to the DAL terminal.
Does Southwest still have open seating and two free checked bags?
No. Southwest now uses assigned seating. Checked-bag benefits depend on the fare, Rapid Rewards status, qualifying credit-card benefits, and other eligibility. Bag fees apply to several fare bundles.
Sources
- DFW International Airport Airline Directory — verifies the airlines currently serving DFW and the absence of Southwest from the directory.
- Southwest Airlines History — verifies that Southwest began service from Dallas Love Field in 1971.
- Southwest Flights From Dallas Love Field — verifies DAL as Southwest’s Dallas airport and provides current destination examples.
- Southwest Airport Information — verifies the DAL terminal, gates, and recommended arrival time.
- Southwest Fare Types and Benefits — verifies assigned seating and fare-bundle differences.
- DART Airport Transportation Guide — verifies the public-transit route between DFW and Dallas Love Field.
