Dallas Love Field Map & Terminal Guide 2026

Dallas Love Field Airport Map

The Dallas Love Field airport map below shows the full layout of Dallas Love Field (DAL/KDAL) — the birthplace, headquarters and major hub of Southwest Airlines, located just 6 miles northwest of downtown Dallas. DAL served a record-breaking 18 million passengers in 2024, making it the busiest medium-hub airport in North America. It won the Airports Council International “Best Airport” award for its size category two years running (2023–2024).

As you can see on the Dallas Love Field airport map, the layout is remarkably simple: a single T-shaped terminal with 20 sequentially numbered gates. Unlike larger airports, there are no trains, shuttles or people movers — everything is walkable. Federal law restricts DAL to domestic flights only, with Southwest Airlines operating roughly 97% of departures to over 80 US destinations.

Dallas Love Field Location Map

Dallas Love Field is located 6 miles (10 km) northwest of downtown Dallas in the Love Field neighbourhood. The Dallas Love Field location map below shows DAL’s position relative to the city centre. The airport is accessed via Herb Kelleher Way (formerly Cedar Springs Road), connecting to Mockingbird Lane, the Dallas North Tollway, US-75 Central Expressway and Interstate 35E.

Dallas Love Field Terminal Layout

Dallas Love Field has a single terminal building shaped like a T. The stem of the T contains ticketing, the security checkpoint and the baggage claim areas. The crossbar at the top holds all 20 departure gates, numbered sequentially from 1 to 20. Everything is on one level past security, and the entire terminal is walkable in under 10 minutes end to end.

Terminal Areas

Dallas Love Field Security Checkpoint

Dallas Love Field has one central security checkpoint located in the middle of the terminal, between the ticketing and baggage claim wings. All passengers pass through this single checkpoint to reach the gate area.

Dallas Love Field Airlines & Gates

Only two airlines operate scheduled passenger service at Dallas Love Field in 2026: Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Alaska Airlines discontinued Love Field service in May 2025. Gate 13, previously leased by Alaska, is now available as a common-use gate with Southwest currently operating some flights from it.

Dallas Love Field Dining & Amenities

Despite its compact size, DAL offers a solid selection of food, drink and passenger amenities throughout the terminal. Most options are located inside the secure gate area along the corridor leading to the gates.

Getting to Dallas Love Field

All ground transportation is accessed from the lower level of the terminal. Dallas Love Field’s location close to central Dallas makes it quick to reach by car, ride-share or public transit.

Dallas Love Field Parking

DAL has approximately 12,000 parking spaces across three garages. All are within walking distance of the terminal — no shuttles needed. Garages frequently reach capacity, so arrive early or consider off-site lots. Check availability and rates at dallas-lovefield.com.

Dallas Love Field Map — Arrivals

If you are arriving at Dallas Love Field or meeting a passenger, head to the lower level (west side) of the terminal. After landing, passengers walk from their gate through the secure corridor, exit past security and proceed to the baggage claim wing on the west side of the terminal. Baggage carousels are clearly signed by flight number.

Ground Transportation from Arrivals

From baggage claim, exit to the lower-level kerb for taxis, ride-shares, rental car shuttles and the DART Love Link bus. The ride-share pick-up area was relocated in January 2025 to the valet pavilion on the terminal’s southeast side. If picking someone up by car, use the 60 short-term parking spaces in Garage A (free for up to 30 minutes) since the former cell phone waiting lot closed permanently in August 2025.

Dallas Love Field Map — Departures

Departing passengers should enter the terminal on the upper level via curbside drop-off or the parking garage walkways. Check in at the ticketing wing on the east side — Southwest offers curbside check-in (with a $3 per-bag service fee). Proceed to the central security checkpoint, clear screening, and walk to your gate (1–20) in the departure area.

Recommended Arrival Times

All airlines recommend arriving at least two hours before your scheduled departure. With only one security checkpoint, wait times can spike during early-morning and late-afternoon peaks. Southwest ticket counters open 120 minutes before the first departure of the day. Gate assignments appear on flight information screens throughout the terminal and on the Southwest or Delta apps.

Insider Tips

Dallas Love Field is one of the easiest major airports to navigate in the US — one terminal, 20 gates, no trains. Arrive two hours early anyway because the single security checkpoint can bottleneck during rush hours. Whataburger near gate 10 is a Texas must-try if you have time. Charging stations are scattered throughout the gate area, with a particularly convenient cluster near gate 5. The Lil’ Love Lounge play area is great for families with young children. If you’re connecting to or from DFW Airport, allow at least 90 minutes and budget for a taxi or ride-share — the DART connection takes roughly an hour. Refer to the Dallas Love Field airport map above to orient yourself before you arrive.