DFW Airport makes changes to curb Christmas congestion. Here’s what to know

The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport has made some changes to help offset increased traffic and longer wait times for fliers traveling during the holidays.

Still, travelers should expect substantially increased traffic in and around the airport and increased wait times in TSA lines. Nearly 5 million people are expected to fly to, from and through DFW Airport between Dec. 18 and Jan. 6, according to a DFW Airport news release. Overall passenger traffic during the holiday travel period is also projected to increase by more than 3% compared to last year.

DFW Airport changes ahead of holiday travel rush

Because of construction in the area, Terminal C is expected to have the heaviest traffic. Construction at Terminal C includes a pier-style expansion of 115,000 square feet, nine new gates, new concessions and a new parking garage. A new 15-gate Terminal F, set to open in 2027, is also under construction in the area which could complicate parking and traffic flow.

The airport has reconfigured traffic patterns for the next several days through Terminal C to alleviate congestion. Signs have been installed to guide traffic through the most highly congested areas of the airport.

Because of the construction, Terminal C has just two garages open — the North and Central garages — rather than three, as the south garage remains closed for reconstruction.

The airport has also launched an access point to Terminal A to alleviate traffic congestion for the holidays. The new right-hand access point, opened Dec. 19, removes detours that were previously in effect. The access point opened sooner than the airport anticipated and was fast tracked due to the holiday season.

When are the busiest travel days?

Dec. 19 through Monday, Dec. 22, is projected to be the busiest travel period. Dec. 23, 24 and 25 are still expected to be busier than normal as well. DFW also marked Dec. 26 through Dec. 28 as another one of the busiest periods of the holiday season.

DFW projected that more than 265,000 passengers flew to and from the airport on Dec. 19, and a similar number is expected on Dec. 28. The airport marked those two days as the busiest individual days of the holiday travel period.

Daily volumes throughout the holiday travel period are expected to be more evenly distributed than during the Thanksgiving travel period. But terminal curbsides are expected to be near the levels they were during Thanksgiving. The busiest periods for curbside pickups are projected to be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26 and Dec. 27.

The airport recommends travelers arrive at least two hours before their flight boards for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.

“Ensuring enough time will assist customers that encounter traffic, construction impacts, congested parking areas, and busy check-in and security screening areas,” the news releases reads.

What to know about public transit

Airport officials encourage travelers to use public transportation.

The most convenient public transit option from downtown Fort Worth is the Trinity Metro TEXRail, which runs from downtown Fort Worth, Haltom City, North Richmond Hills and Grapevine. The TRE line from downtown Fort Worth stops at the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, where passengers can the take the TRE Link Shuttle bus from the stop to the airport, with transfers at each terminal.