DFW Memorial – Dallas Fort Worth International expects 1.6 million travelers from May 21 to May 26 and warns that late morning and early evening will bring the heaviest crowds. Here’s how to check TSA wait times, plan entry points, and find live parking availability for the
For many travelers, Memorial Day weekend is when the trip starts long before you reach the gate. At Dallas Fort Worth International, the airport is preparing for a surge that will strain roadways, curb lanes and parking—especially on the busiest days right at the start of summer travel.
DFW is forecasting 1.6 million customers to travel through the airport between May 21 and May 26. In a statement. the airport said the heaviest travel is expected on Thursday. May 21; Friday. May 22; and Monday. May 25. when airport roadways. terminal curbs and parking facilities will see the highest levels of activity.
Crowds aren’t just limited to peak dates. DFW expects travel to peak late morning—between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.—and again in the early evening, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The airport also expects travel to rise this year, projecting a 5.8% uptick in travel from 2025.
To keep the weekend moving, DFW points travelers to tools that reduce guesswork: live TSA checkpoint wait estimates, parking availability updates, and construction alerts that can change the quickest route to a terminal.
Travelers can check TSA wait times online
DFW says travelers can check general, TSA PreCheck and priority lane wait times at www.dfwairport.com/security/. The airport also notes that travelers can view live estimated wait times at 14 checkpoints across DFW’s five terminals.
For travelers who prefer a specific terminal view, DFW says wait-time information is also available for kiosk, main and priority check-in wait times in Terminal A.
DFW suggests travelers plan entry points based on terminals
Getting to the right place at the airport matters as much as the time of day. DFW advises flyers leaving from Terminals A and B to use the North Entry Plaza. For those departing from Terminals C, D and E, the airport recommends the South Entry Plaza.
Because the fastest routes can shift during a busy season, DFW also tells travelers to watch for construction, roadways, parking and terminal-specific updates by visiting www.dfwairport.com/construction.
When to arrive: two hours for domestic, three for international
DFW recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international departures. Travelers are also urged to check with their airline for flight status updates before heading to the airport.
For flight disruptions, DFW directs passengers to www.dfwairport.com/flights to check whether an arrival or departure is on time, delayed or canceled.
Traffic pressure is another reason DFW points to public transit
DFW is also urging travelers to consider public transit to avoid traffic. The airport lists four public transit systems with direct access to the terminals:
DART Silver Line, connecting Plano to Terminal B with stops in Richardson, Addison, Carrollton and Coppell. DART Orange Line, offering direct service from Plano, downtown Dallas and Irving to Terminal A. Trinity Metro TEXRail, running from downtown Fort Worth through North Richland Hills and Grapevine to Terminal B. TRE + TRE Link Shuttle, connecting Dallas, Fort Worth and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.
Parking availability and rates update live
For drivers, DFW provides a live look at parking availability and prices at www.dfwairport.com/park/parking-availability.
The airport also recommends using its mobile app, available on iOS and Android. DFW says the app combines live TSA wait times, parking availability and construction alerts in one place—aimed at helping travelers adjust quickly if conditions change.
A “summer disruptions” concern shows up in Texas airport rankings
A recent report found that three Texas airports made the top 10 list of U.S. airports where travelers could see disruptions this summer. DFW was the highest-ranked Texas airport and ranked No. 2 overall.
Taken together, DFW’s reminders land on a simple reality: the weekend is expected to be busy, and the airport is trying to keep travelers from getting blindsided by timing, terminal access and last-minute changes.
With Memorial Day weekend travel expected to peak during specific hours—late morning and early evening—and with 1.6 million customers scheduled to pass through DFW between May 21 and May 26, planning ahead may be the difference between a smooth start and a day spent waiting.
DFW airport Memorial Day weekend travel TSA wait times TSA PreCheck airport parking availability DFW construction alerts DART Silver Line DART Orange Line TRE Link Shuttle Trinity Metro TEXRail