DFW’s Terminal D Is About To Become The Best For Lounges In America—Fueled By A Project No One Has Reported Yet

DFW Airport is getting a new Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal D.

The airport carried an item a year ago that I never noticed, and apparently wasn’t reported on elsewhere: there’s a new Plaza Premium Lounge coming to terminal D (the international terminal) at gate D17.

Currently, there’s a Plaza Premium lounge near gate E31 that’s been open for about 5 years. It’s accessible with a Priority Pass card. At about 1,400 square feet it’s one of the smallest airport lounges I’ve ever seen outside of Chiang Rai, Thailand. And it gets busy!


Plaza Premium Lounge DFW Terminal E

Other Priority Pass options in the aiport currently include The Club at DFW near date D27 and – depending on the source of your Priority Pass card – BeRelax Spa, Gameway and Minute Suites locations.


Gameway Lounge at DFW Gate E16


BeRelax Spa Across From the DFW Capital One Lounge

Premium Port Dallas Fort Worth LLC, the entity contracting fo the lounge, will operate a Plaza Premium Lounge near gate D17.

This lounge will serve as the primary lounge for airline carriers without dedicated lounge service in Terminal D.

The airport is guaranteed minimum annual revenue of $1,053,690 as part of the lease. In addition, DFW airport charges: 15% of day pay revenue; 15% of alcohol sale revenue (though it’s not clear any will be for sale); 11% of “Marketing Fees, Merchandising Fees, Promotional Allowances, Retail Display Allowance (RDA), and any type of Ancillary Advertising”; 11% of all other gross receipts.

Documents outlining the concession mention both a Plaza Premium and Plaza Premium First section of the lounge, so perhaps if they’re operating for airlines without their own lounges they will have a separate cordoned off premium section as well.

With Chase opening a new 18,000 square foot lounge in terminal D soon, that terminal may be the best for lounges in the entire country alongside New York JFK terminal 4.

It will have a Chase, American Express and Capital One lounge along with American’s Admiral’s Club, Flagship business class lounge and Flagship First Dining, plus a The Club and Plaza Premium lounge. This week DFW airport approved a 6,000 square foot expansion of the currently-12,000 square foot American Express Centurion lounge.


DFW Flagship First Dining

Having Chase, American Express and Capital One all together in the terminal should help with crowding as well. And adding a Plaza Premium lounge on top of The Club in the same terminal should, as well. More lounge space is better for flyers looking to use lounges while waiting for flights.

And one up on New York JFK, all of DFW’s lounges are connected airside. Just take the train between terminals (or get your steps in) and there’s no need to re-clear security no matter what gate you’re departing from.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. Looks nice. But the real question is will they serve (Terminal) D’s nuts? …Ah, 2015 really was a simpler time. Things kinda did start to go downhill from there. I still think Harambe was the turning point. @L737, oh, I hope these spicy memes aren’t falling on deaf ears.

  2. If the Plaza in Orlando is any indication they charge for alot or food and drink. If you have kids there their food is ok but not usually what kids like

  3. @1990 — Ha-has! Fear not, I “gottem!”, well played

    Lounges galore! My only gripe isn’t really a gripe at all, but I wish they’d open up the stairs to go to and from the Capital One lounge, since the elevators serve multiple lounges, takes a while and gets crowded

    Good call on the airside connectivity, Gary — I’m a huge fan of DFW for this reason.

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