Dallas-Fort Worth International (KDFW), Texas
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Dallas-Fort Worth International (KDFW) is a Class 1 hub airport roughly 2.9 nm from downtown, operating seven paved runways with the longest stretching 13,401 feet. FAA TFMSC data puts 2025 crossborder business aviation activity at 14,378 operations against total field traffic of 741,041, reflecting an airport built primarily around scheduled airline volume rather than general aviation. Access into the terminal complex and ramps is tightly compartmentalized, with prior permission and discrete ramp frequencies required for most gate areas.
Runways
Dallas-Fort Worth International has seven paved runways. The longest, 18L/36R, is 13,401 ft long and 200 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Dallas-Fort Worth International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Dallas-Fort Worth International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Dallas-Fort Worth International recorded 14,378 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in March, May and October. Business aviation traffic at KDFW peaks in March, May, and October, with the lowest volume recorded in November.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month March, 1,330 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Dallas-Fort Worth International averages 28.7 days above 90°F in July, 10.6 freeze days in January and 0.3 snow days in February. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 95.8°F, and January the coldest, at 56.5°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Dallas-Fort Worth International has published operating constraints in seven categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, construction, pavement strength and other notes.
Closed from 2200 to 0600 except with prior permission.
Prior permission is required from the primary tenant airlines to operate within the Central Terminal Area. Standard minimum object free area distances may not be maintained for ramp and apron taxilanes there.
Prior permission from Airport Operations is required for general aviation aircraft to proceed to an airline terminal gate, except at the general aviation facility.
Prior permission is required for general aviation operations between 0000 and 0500; contact Airport Operations.
A runway visual screen 20 feet above ground level is located 1,180 feet south of the runway 35C approach end.
A runway visual screen 22 feet above ground level is located 1,179 feet south of the runway 35L approach end.
Aircraft using Terminal E gates E2 through E17 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 131.0 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback. Aircraft using Terminal E gates E18 through E38 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 128.825 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Unless otherwise specified, all apron entrance and exit points are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet except with prior permission.
Aircraft using Terminal B gates B1 through B18 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 129.625 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Aircraft using taxiway HA north of taxiway B must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 129.825 prior to entering the ramp.
Aircraft using Terminal B gates B19 through B49 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 130.10 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Aircraft using Terminal A gates A8 through A39 and Terminal C gates C2 through C12 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 131.275 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Aircraft using Terminal C gates C14 through C39 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 131.80 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Aircraft using Terminal D gates D27 through D40 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 129.625 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Aircraft using Terminal D gates D25 through D1 must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 129.825 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Corporate Aviation apron entrance and exit points 1 and 2 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 89 feet except with prior permission.
Corporate Aviation apron entrance and exit points 1W and 3 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet except with prior permission.
Terminal A apron entrance and exit points 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet.
Terminal A apron entrance and exit points 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet.
Terminal C apron entrance and exit points 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 42 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet.
Terminal C apron entrance and exit points 23 and 43 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet.
Terminal E apron entrance and exit points 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet except with prior permission.
Terminal B apron entrance and exit points 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, and 109 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 95 feet.
Terminal B apron entrance and exit points 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 118, and 122 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet.
Terminal D apron entrance and exit points 123, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, and 144 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet.
Terminal D apron entrance and exit point 124 is closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 200 feet.
Terminal D apron entrance and exit point 142 is closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet except with prior permission.
Terminal D apron entrance and exit points 143 and 145 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet.
Taxiways JY and JZ are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet.
Taxiway S1 is closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet.
Taxiway S2 is closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet.
Aircraft using the South Ramp must obtain approval from Ramp on frequency 129.825 prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback.
Aircraft with a weight greater than 910,000 pounds are not authorized on taxiways Z, A, and B between taxiways G and K, or on taxiways EL and ER between taxiways P and Q. Aircraft with a weight greater than 1,327,000 pounds are not authorized on taxiway Y between taxiways G and K.
Standard sawed grooving 160 feet wide runs the full length of runways 13L/31R, 18L/36R, and 17R/35L. Standard grooving 130 feet wide runs the full length of runways 17L/35R, 18R/36L, 13R/31L, and 17C/35C.
Takeoff distance for runway 17R from taxiway EG is 13,082 feet, and from taxiway EH is 12,816 feet.
Land and hold short signs are in place on runway 17C at taxiway B, 10,460 feet south of the runway 17C threshold; on runway 18R at taxiway B, 10,100 feet south of the runway 18R threshold; on runway 35C at taxiway EJ, 9,050 feet north of the runway 35C threshold; and on runway 36L at taxiway Z, 10,650 feet north of the runway 36L threshold. These points are lighted and marked with in-pavement pulsating white lights.
Takeoff distance for runway 36R from taxiway WP is 12,815 feet, and from taxiway WQ is 13,082 feet.
Takeoff distance for runway 17L from taxiway Q2 is 8,196 feet.
Takeoff distance for runway 35R from taxiway Q9 is 8,196 feet.
Takeoff distance for runway 35L from taxiway EQ is 13,084 feet, and from taxiway EP is 12,811 feet.
Takeoff distance for runway 18L from taxiway WG is 13,082 feet, and from taxiway WH is 12,815 feet.
Takeoff distance for runway 17C from taxiway EG is 13,082 feet.
Takeoff distance for runway 18R from taxiway WG is 13,082 feet.
Runway status lights are in operation.
Aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet are not authorized to operate on runway 13R/31L, on taxiway K between taxiways K11 and B, on taxiway G between taxiways A and WR, on taxiway P between taxiway A and ER, north of taxiway EF, or south of taxiway ER. No aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet may pass another aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet in the NE, SE, NW, or SW hold pads.
Birds observed on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Airport under construction; personnel and equipment working in movement areas.
PCR VALUE: 1870/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1220/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 2080/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1730/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1620/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1130/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1540/R/B/W/T
Antenna mounted on a building.
Taxiways may require judgmental oversteering for large aircraft.
Taxiway edge reflectors are installed along all taxiways.
Aircraft using Terminal F hardstand spots T83 through T86 must contact Ground Control on frequency 121.85 prior to taxiing.
Aircraft should not execute the taxiway turn westbound to southbound from taxiway A to taxiway C.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Dallas-Fort Worth International has five airfields within 16 NM. The closest is Dallas Love Field (KDAL), 9.91 NM east.
Part of the Dallas and Fort Worth area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KDFW
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KDFW.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runway options does KDFW offer for large aircraft?
Dallas-Fort Worth International operates seven paved runways, four of which exceed 13,400 feet in length: 18L/36R, 18R/36L, 17C/35C, and 17R/35L. Two additional runways, 13R/31L and 13L/31R, run 9,300 and 9,000 feet, and 17L/35R measures 8,500 feet. Surfaces are a mix of concrete and asphalt, with widths ranging from 150 to 200 feet. Grooving specifications vary by runway, with standard sawed grooving 160 feet wide on 13L/31R, 18L/36R, and 17R/35L, and 130-foot-wide grooving on the remaining four. This runway layout supports simultaneous operations across a wide range of aircraft categories.
Does KDFW have general aviation ramp restrictions dispatchers should know about?
Yes, general aviation aircraft at Dallas-Fort Worth International require prior permission from Airport Operations to proceed to an airline terminal gate, except at the designated general aviation facility. Prior permission is also required from primary tenant airlines to operate within the Central Terminal Area, and normal minimum object free area distances may not be maintained on ramp and apron taxilanes there. General aviation operations between 0000 and 0500 also require prior permission from Airport Operations. Corporate Aviation apron entrance and exit points 1 and 2 are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 89 feet except with prior permission.
Are there wingspan limits on taxiways and aprons at KDFW?
Dallas-Fort Worth International restricts numerous taxiways and apron entry points by wingspan. Aircraft with a wingspan greater than 214 feet are not authorized on runway 13R/31L, on specific taxiway segments including portions of taxiways K, G, and P, and may not pass another aircraft with a wingspan over 118 feet in the NE, SE, NW, or SW hold pads. Taxiways JY, JZ, and S1 are closed to aircraft with wingspans greater than 118 feet, and taxiway S2 is closed to aircraft over 214 feet. Numerous terminal apron entrance and exit points across Terminals A, B, C, D, and E carry similar wingspan-based closures, some with exceptions available through prior permission.
Does KDFW have a maximum aircraft weight restriction on any taxiways?
Yes, Dallas-Fort Worth International restricts taxiways Z, A, and B between taxiways G and K, and taxiways EL and ER between taxiways P and Q, to aircraft weighing no more than 910,000 pounds. Taxiway Y between taxiways G and K carries a higher threshold, closed to aircraft weighing more than 1,327,000 pounds. Dispatchers planning heavy aircraft movements through these specific taxiway segments should account for these limits when building a ground routing plan. These restrictions apply to taxiway segments rather than the airfield as a whole.
What customs and border processing is available at KDFW?
Dallas-Fort Worth International has CBP inspection services available onsite, along with a USDA compliance agreement, supporting international arrivals without diversion to a separate customs airport. This onsite capability pairs with the airport's high overall traffic volume of 741,041 annual operations recorded in 2025. The airport's Class 1 tier and jet fuel availability, alongside 100LL, support a broad range of arriving aircraft types. Ramp access for aircraft using terminal gates still requires coordination with the appropriate ramp frequency prior to entering the ramp and prior to pushback, regardless of customs status.