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American Airlines and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Thursday unveiled an expanded $4 billion plan for Terminal F, aimed at modernizing the travel experience and strengthening DFW’s standing as a global aviation hub.
The upgraded vision will double the number of gates, expand international operations, add premium lounges and amenities, and include a new check-in experience and dedicated parking.
The project accelerates timelines from the original 2023 agreement and extends American’s lease at DFW through 2043, signaling long-term growth and cost predictability for both the airline and the airport.
“DFW is American’s largest and most critical hub,” said American CEO Robert Isom. “This expanded plan gives DFW a clear path to become the largest airline hub in the world.”
Originally announced as a $1.6 billion project with 15 gates, Terminal F will have 31 gates exclusively occupied by the Fort Worth-based airline with its own ticketing area, baggage claim, high-end retail and dining options. Terminal F will connect directly to Terminal D via a new walking path and Skylink station, and will feature a widebody aircraft facility, international processing capabilities.
The first phase of Terminal F — the original 15 gates — is scheduled to open in 2027, with the newly announced enhancements projected to come online by 2030.
The project is the most consequential expansion in two decades, since the opening of Terminal D in 2005, outgoing airport CEO Sean Donohue said. “I‘ve always called Terminal D the crown jewel of DFW Airport. When Terminal F opens, it’s going to take that over," Donohue said.
The announcement was made during a joint press event with leaders from American, DFW, and the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.
“Fort Worth-based American Airlines continues to double down on DFW,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “This ensures DFW will be ready for the historic growth happening in Fort Worth and all of North Texas.”
DFW Airport is in the midst of a sweeping, multibillion-dollar capital improvement plan that will reshape much of its infrastructure.
A $3 billion expansion of Terminal C is underway, with the first phase — an added gate pier — set to be completed in time for the arrival of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By the time the full plan is complete, DFW will have rebuilt, renovated, or added 68 gates, reinforcing its status as the second-largest airport in the U.S.
Fort Worth and Dallas officials agreed to build the airport in 1965. It opened in 1974, with the first flights taking off on Jan. 13 — a Sunday. Today, it is the world's third-busiest airport with traffic growing to 87.8 million passengers in 2024, making it the world’s third busiest airport, according to Airports Council International. Upwards of 82% of that came from American passengers, more than 71 million.
Donohue said he expects the number of passengers coming through the airport to swell to 100 million annually by decade’s end.
Said Donohue: "In the last decade, DFW has grown its passenger traffic by 50% and exceeded the wildest expectations of our founders.”