DFW and American Ramp Up Terminal F Expansion
Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport and American Airlines have announced a major upgrade to the under-construction Terminal F, doubling its planned gate count and extending their partnership through 2043. Originally conceived as a $1.6 billion project with 15 gates and expected to open in 2027, Terminal F will now grow to 31 gates at a total cost of $4 billion. The airport and carrier signed a 10-year land-use agreement in 2023 that covered the initial build; on May 2, they extended that agreement by another decade and agreed to nearly double the terminal’s size.
American Airlines already operates 60 percent of DFW’s traffic, making the expanded Terminal F a centerpiece of the carrier’s hub strategy. “With this expanded plan for Terminal F, DFW has a clear path to become the largest airline hub in the world,” said American CEO Robert Isom. By adding capacity for widebody jets and enhancing international processing areas, the enlarged terminal will support American’s growing long-haul network from Dallas–Fort Worth, reinforcing its status as a global gateway.
DFW was the world’s third-busiest airport in 2024, handling 87.8 million passengers, up 7.4 percent year-over-year and 17 percent above 2019 levels. The airport’s five existing terminals house 171 gates and operate across seven runways, while Terminal F represents the sixth passenger terminal to be fully occupied by American. Construction on the original scope remains on schedule for 2027, with the additional gates to be delivered in phased rollouts following that date.
The decision to expand reflects North Texas’s robust economic growth and a long-term outlook for increased passenger demand. DFW officials stressed that the investment will bring new amenities, including state-of-the-art dining, retail, and public art installations, while streamlining immigration and customs for international arrivals. “This consequential investment will expand Terminal F’s scope to deliver additional capacity for widebody aircraft and international flight processing, and includes additional spaces for state-of-the-art amenities,” the airport said in a statement.
Outgoing DFW CEO Sean Donohue, who will retire in May, highlighted the airport’s 50 percent traffic growth over the past decade. “Thanks to our close partnership with Robert Isom, American Airlines remains a competitive advantage that continues to show the strength of the airport as a global hub,” Donohue said. By co-investing in Terminal F, DFW and American aim to accommodate surging domestic travel while laying the groundwork for continued expansion of international routes.
The expanded Terminal F will feature specialized facilities for large aircraft, enhanced baggage handling systems, and improved passenger flow between gates and concourses. Additional lounges and premium check-in areas are also planned to serve high-value customers. As American cements its presence at DFW, the carrier has committed to populate all 31 gates, ensuring that Terminal F becomes a seamless extension of its existing hub operations in Terminals A through E.
By aligning infrastructure development with projected traffic growth, DFW and American Airlines hope to meet rising demand for both domestic and international travel. The unprecedented scale of the Terminal F expansion underscores the strategic importance of Dallas–Fort Worth to American’s network and signals the airport’s ambition to solidify its role as one of the world’s premier aviation centers.
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