If your next American Airlines flight leaves from Terminal A at Dallas Fort Worth, you may find yourself at a gate that did not exist a month ago. The airport says gates A10, A11, A13 and A15 are now open as part of its Terminal A Pier Expansion, and American began using them last week.
These are the first four of 10 gates planned for the new pier. According to DFW's announcement on October 21, the full pier should be open in time for the winter holiday travel season.
What's new at the gates
The pier adds about 140,000 square feet to Terminal A. DFW describes the space as having wider walkways, taller ceilings, bigger and brighter windows, and clearer signs. It also promises new places to eat and shop, updated restrooms and better passenger amenities. The airport has not yet named the new restaurants or shops, or said when each one will open.
The gate count is a little less dramatic than "10 new gates" suggests. Five of the 10 replace older gates that were rebuilt, so the airport gains a net five gates once the work is done. Still, for one of American's busiest buildings, that is a real gain in space at peak times.
American has said in its own newsroom that Terminal A will become its busiest terminal at DFW once the pier is open. That makes the new space more than a cosmetic upgrade. More flights will be using it.
How it was built
The project is unusual. In 2024, seven large pre-built modules for the pier were moved about 1.5 miles to the site. DFW says roughly 65% of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing work inside them was finished before they were moved, which it calls a first for the industry. Building this way let much of the work happen away from a busy, working terminal.
The pier is one piece of DFW Forward, the airport's $12 billion capital plan, which covers upgrades and expansions across its terminals, airfield and roads.
Where to wait in Terminal A
For lounge users, the new gates do not change the map much yet. DFW did not announce a new lounge as part of this pier.
In Terminal A, the closest options remain the American Airlines Admirals Club (A) and the small Minute Suites (A), which rents private rooms by the hour. The Admirals Club is open to Admirals Club members and to travelers with oneworld lounge access on a same-day flight.
If you have time and the right card or ticket, it may be worth riding the Skylink train airside to another terminal. Some of DFW's best-rated lounges, including the Flagship Lounge and The Centurion Lounge, are elsewhere in the airport. Skylink runs inside security, so you will not need to clear screening again. Just leave time to get back to an A gate before boarding.
What we still don't know
DFW has not said which of the remaining six gates will open first, or set an exact date for the rest of the pier. It has also not listed the restaurants and shops coming to the new space. If you are flying American through DFW over Thanksgiving or Christmas, check your gate on the day. Some flights may move into the new pier as more gates open.
You can see all of the airport's lounges, ratings and terminals on our DFW airport guide, and more about the airline on our American Airlines page.
