For travelers in Dallas, navigating airport options with Southwest Airlines can be a bit unique. Historically, if you were flying Southwest in Dallas, your only gateway was Dallas Love Field (DAL). This airport has been Southwest’s stronghold, hosting 18 of its 20 gates. While Love Field remains crucial to Southwest’s operations, the airline is also considering a future presence at the significantly larger Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). However, the story of Southwest and Dallas airports is rooted in legal history, making the question of “Does Southwest Fly To Dfw” more complex than a simple yes or no.
The reason Southwest Airlines hasn’t traditionally flown from DFW Airport boils down to the Wright Amendment of 1979. This federal law was initially designed to protect the newly built DFW Airport by restricting long-haul flights from Love Field, which was intended to be phased out. Southwest, however, successfully fought to continue operating from Love Field, establishing it as their primary Dallas hub. Love Field’s proximity to Southwest’s corporate headquarters further solidified its importance to the airline.
An agreement involving Dallas, Fort Worth, American Airlines, Southwest, and DFW Airport further stipulated that for Southwest to gain gates at DFW, they would need to relinquish gates at Love Field – a trade-off Southwest was unwilling to make. Crucially, this restriction is set to expire in 2025.
Looking ahead, Southwest Airlines is indeed considering a “modest presence” at DFW, particularly with the development of a new Terminal 6, expected to open in late 2026. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan confirmed ongoing discussions about this potential expansion into DFW. However, DFW Airport officials have indicated that decisions are not expected until 2024 at the earliest, and Southwest’s immediate priority remains maintaining its strong position at Love Field.
For now, if you are flying Southwest in Dallas, you will almost certainly be flying from Dallas Love Field. While the future may hold Southwest flights at DFW, it is not currently an option. As 2025 approaches and discussions continue, the landscape of Dallas air travel, and Southwest’s role within it, is poised for potential change. Keep an eye on future announcements as Southwest navigates its Dallas airport strategy.
