Dallas/Fort Worth Transit Times

[ozscot]

DFW Immigration was terrible yesterday 4 June. QF7 arrived just a little late and we were behind another couple of flights in the immigration hall. No more than half a dozen booths were manned for each of the US and non-US queues and it took a couple of hours to clear, probably another hour again for those behind me at the back of the line. I was connecting to AA4501 @ 1735 and only had half an hour spare in terminal C prior to the scheduled boarding time - as it happened 4501 was late anyway.

Staff were efficient and friendly -ish, just not enough of them. I'd rather take the 388 to LAX if this is normal in Dallas these days.

 

[jamesatfish]

I had my first flight into DFW on QF7 yesterday - it was an absolute nightmare. Flight touched down at 1:45pm, cleared immigration at 3:30pm, no baggage to collect so straight into customs queue for another 30 mins. Finally ground-side at 4:00pm - more than 2 hours after arrival. We were in Business so were amongst the first off the aircraft.

By contrast at LAX a few weeks ago off QF11 I was ground-side within 15 minutes of landing.

 

[benmay]

Funny how random it is. WHen I did QF7 in March, I wasn't sure how long I needed, so I think I had my connecting flight at 4.30 (3-4hrs layover) - but we got off, customs, baggage collected and dropped onto connecting AA Flight, all within 30-45mins. So had 2-3hrs in the (lame) AA Lounge while waiting for our connecting flight.

Still. I'd rather have a few hours up my sleeve than miss a connecting flight after 15hrs of flying

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Funny how random it is. WHen I did QF7 in March, I wasn't sure how long I needed, so I think I had my connecting flight at 4.30 (3-4hrs layover) - but we got off, customs, baggage collected and dropped onto connecting AA Flight, all within 30-45mins. So had 2-3hrs in the (lame) AA Lounge while waiting for our connecting flight.

Still. I'd rather have a few hours up my sleeve than miss a connecting flight after 15hrs of flying

I agree - hard to tell. I did the flight in June last year - a couple weeks after it started flying. We arrived at DFW to an empty arrivals hall and I was outside, having re-checked my bags at the drop-off, within 20 mins (and wishing I'd booked the earlier AA connecting flight!!)

 

[Tooner]

I agree - hard to tell. I did the flight in June last year - a couple weeks after it started flying. We arrived at DFW to an empty arrivals hall and I was outside, having re-checked my bags at the drop-off, within 20 mins (and wishing I'd booked the earlier AA connecting flight!!)

It is a lottery, and I found connecting to a 3:25 flight worked for me, but not my bags. In future, I'm happy to go to NY via DFW hoping to avoid the massive crowds usually encountered at LAX. I will make sure my connecting flight is around 4pm, however.

 

[Paddy55]

Resurrecting this old thread to see what sort of delays through Customers & Immigration AFF'ers are experiencing in DFW these days?
I've 3 hours to make a connection, which I thought was ample... until I read this International passengers frustrated by DFW Customs delays | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth

 

[SeatBackForward]

Resurrecting this old thread to see what sort of delays through Customers & Immigration AFF'ers are experiencing in DFW these days?
I've 3 hours to make a connection, which I thought was ample... until I read this International passengers frustrated by DFW Customs delays | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth

My mother went through DFW last Friday. QF7 landed about 30mins late, then had a further delay onboard due to a sick passenger. So she wasn't off the plane until about 2:30pm (she was in Y). Connection was at 5pm, which she safely made. Apparently they were calling out for passengers on flights earlier than 4pm to come forward.

 

[Paddy55]

My mother went through DFW last Friday. QF7 landed about 30mins late, then had a further delay onboard due to a sick passenger. So she wasn't off the plane until about 2:30pm (she was in Y). Connection was at 5pm, which she safely made. Apparently they were calling out for passengers on flights earlier than 4pm to come forward.

Quite an eventful landing! Thanks for the quick response - reassured!

 

[amaroo]

AA/DFW newbie question.

Have a trip coming up at the end of the year and I'm about to book SAV-DFW-SAT.....AA booking engine has options for 1hr & 2hr connection at DFW.

Is a 1hr DOM connection at DFW realistic?

or, it is better to book the 2hr option and head for the lounge?

 

[serfty]

I'd do the latter, but 1 hour D-D on the one booking should be fine.

 

[diningdecadence]

AA/DFW newbie question.

Have a trip coming up at the end of the year and I'm about to book SAV-DFW-SAT.....AA booking engine has options for 1hr & 2hr connection at DFW.

Is a 1hr DOM connection at DFW realistic?

or, it is better to book the 2hr option and head for the lounge?

you'll be less stressed taking the 2 hr connection. some of the DFW lounges are actually quite nice and relaxing too. no issues about overhead compartment space by being last to board etc.

 

[chrisb]

We had a 55min connection in late July. It was fine even with a train ride between terminals. We ended up looking at shops and sitting around at the gate for a while waiting.

We were sitting up front on both flights though so we were first out the door and didn't have to worry about carry on space for the second leg.

 

[amaroo]

I'd do the latter, but 1 hour D-D on the one booking should be fine.

you'll be less stressed taking the 2 hr connection. some of the DFW lounges are actually quite nice and relaxing too. no issues about overhead compartment space by being last to board etc.

We had a 55min connection in late July. It was fine even with a train ride between terminals. We ended up looking at shops and sitting around at the gate for a while waiting.

We were sitting up front on both flights though so we were first out the door and didn't have to worry about carry on space for the second leg.

Cheers. I'm thinking I'll go the 2hr and relax with a drink in hand in the lounge......it's a family trip - I'll need it

 

[SeatBackForward]

Couple of questions..
a) I have a 6hr transit coming off QF7, whats there to do in DFW? Given it'll be about 3am on body clock, is the AC a good place to try for a bit of sleep?
b) does the skytrain only go in one direction? so in some instances is it quicker to walk to an adjacent terminal?

 

[diningdecadence]

Couple of questions..
a) I have a 6hr transit coming off QF7, whats there to do in DFW? Given it'll be about 3am on body clock, is the AC a good place to try for a bit of sleep?

one of the terminals has great showers - can't remember which one - someone will be able to help. in my experience there have been a number of day beds spread throughout the various lounges - although they weren't really tucked away last time so it was a little weird watching people kip in the midst of the lounge.

b) does the skytrain only go in one direction? so in some instances is it quicker to walk to an adjacent terminal?

think it goes in both directions, however last time i was there, there was maintenance on one direction which meant it took forever to go from where QF7 lands to my AA connection.

 

[pyffii]

Grapevine Mills outlet mall is only 10 minutes away so a bit of retail therapy might help

 

[aussiecruisers]

My father (81) and wife is on this flight next Tues - day after Easter to Dallas (expected arrival time 1:45pm) - will he have enough time to get to his connecting AA0232 flight to Atlanta departing 3:35pm (just short of 2 hours)? (n.b. departure terminal not know yet). Surely AA doesn't allow bookings if there isn't enough time for connections?

 

[GCC]

I'm on QF 7 in August connecting to BNA on AA. QF7 arrives at 13.45 and flights to BNA are at 14.40 and 16.40. I'll be booking F for the DFW - BNA flight and am in row 5 (J) on QF7 so should be first off the plane.

Obviously the sensible thing to do is book the 16.40 connection, but as I'm in F and the conditions allow same day flight changes, should I book the 14.40 just in case the stars align and I do make the connection? (and trust that AA will move me to later flight if I don't make it? ) Alternatively if I book the 16.40 and the stars align will I be able to change to the earlier flight?

 

[cirqueboy]

Australian E Passports should be able to use the new Orange immigration machines at DFW starting some time this month. It's new and DFW is the first port to introduce it. Similar to Smart Gate in Aus.

Means you will no longer need to line up with everyone else and go straight through, so the earlier flight might be possible.

 

[serfty]

My father (81) and wife is on this flight next Tues - day after Easter to Dallas (expected arrival time 1:45pm) - will he have enough time to get to his connecting AA0232 flight to Atlanta departing 3:35pm (just short of 2 hours)? (n.b. departure terminal not know yet). Surely AA doesn't allow bookings if there isn't enough time for connections?

I'm on QF 7 in August connecting to BNA on AA. QF7 arrives at 13.45 and flights to BNA are at 14.40 and 16.40. I'll be booking F for the DFW - BNA flight and am in row 5 (J) on QF7 so should be first off the plane. ...

MCT at worst for DFW QF->AA is 1:30, so if on the one booking the traveler would be protected should they misconnect.

Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at DFW, Incoming airline QF, Outgoing airline AA, Flight type International to Domestic

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE    .50   .50  1.10  1.10
OFFLINE   .50   .50  1.10  1.10
** OR * ARE ALL
QF-AA ID  1.25 ALL  - FLT    1 -  399 EQP W   - ALL 
QF-AA ID  1.25 ALL  - FLT  900 - 1699 EQP W   - ALL 
QF-AA ID  1.25 ALL  - FLT 2200 - 2649 EQP W   - ALL 
QF-AA ID  1.25 ALL  - FLT 2725 - 3799 EQP W   - ALL 
QF-AA ID  1.25 ALL  - FLT 4220 - 4369 EQP W   - ALL 
QF-AA ID  1.25 ALL  - FLT 5270 - 5369 EQP W   - ALL 
QF-AA ID  1.20 ALL  - FLT    1 -  399 
QF-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT  400 -  899 
QF-AA ID  1.20 ALL  - FLT  900 - 1699 
QF-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT 1700 - 2199 
QF-AA ID  1.20 ALL  - FLT 2200 - 2649 
QF-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT 2650 - 2724 
QF-AA ID  1.20 ALL  - FLT 2725 - 3799 
QF-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT 3800 - 4219 
QF-AA ID  1.20 ALL  - FLT 4220 - 4369 
QF-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT 4370 - 5269 
QF-AA ID  1.20 ALL  - FLT 5270 - 5369 
QF-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT 5370 - 5599 
**-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT    1 - 5599 EQP W   - ALL 
  TRM ** - E  
**-AA ID  1.30 ALL  - FLT    1 - 5599 TRM ** - E  
**-AA ID  1.25 EQP W   - ALL 
**-AA ID  1.20