New terminal, people mover and luxury hotel driving DFW's mission to elevate the customer experience.
DFW AIRPORT, TEXAS – Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport observed 10 years of successful operation for International Terminal D, the Grand Hyatt DFW and the Skylink people mover system. Since opening in 2005, the three projects have transformed DFW into one of the world’s favorite connecting hubs for travelers and have elevated DFW’s global reputation for excellence.
“When Terminal D, the Grand Hyatt and Skylink opened a decade ago, DFW Airport had a vision to become a world-renowned super-hub,” said Sean Donohue, DFW Airport’s chief executive officer. “While we are pleased with the progress made to expand international service and offer new terminal amenities and conveniences not experienced anywhere else, we’re not resting there. We pledge to continue working to elevate the customer experience and seek future opportunities to serve all of our Airport customers and the Dallas/Fort Worth community.”
The near future for DFW involves major enhancements to the Terminal D experience, specifically plans for new premium retail, spa and food & beverage locations in the first major update to the terminal’s concessions program since it opened. Highlighting those plans is a new duty-free shopping program featuring a two-level, 13,000 square foot primary store that will transform the central area of the terminal and bring in renowned global brands such as Ferragamo, Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Lancome and Burberry.
In addition to duty-free, DFW also plans to open more new retail and restaurant options in Terminal D including Hugo Boss, TUMI, Michael Kors, Coach, Mont Blanc, Longchamp, M·A·C, Jo Malone, Aveda, The Italian Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck and Cafe Izmir Mediterranean Tapas of Dallas. The transformation should be complete by the end of 2016.
“We know travelers have many options, and we compete by attracting passengers with customer-focused offerings that cater to our growing global customer base,” said Ken Buchanan, DFW’s executive vice president of revenue management. “The Airport is working daily to enhance options with world-class retailers, restaurants and convenience and relaxation amenities for an unmatched travel experience.”
In the ten years since its opening, Terminal D has elevated DFW’s international stature for air service by helping the Airport attract nine new international carriers and 20 new international destinations, and grow DFW’s annual international business by over 2 million passengers, an increase of 38%.
In its decade of service, Skylink has significantly transformed the DFW connecting experience into one of the world’s most efficient, with trains running every two minutes between terminals and briskly connecting passengers to their flights. Skylink train cars have transported over 141 million people, or nearly the population of Russia, and they have accumulated over 32.4 million fleet miles, roughly equivalent to 68 round trips to the moon.
The Grand Hyatt DFW has consistently ranked among the world’s finest airport hotels, offering customers award-winning accommodations and a peaceful oasis with modern sophistication that is perfectly integrated into Terminal D. The Grand Hyatt DFW features outstanding amenities and culinary offerings that range from contemporary American dining to the innovative, globally inspired menu at the hotel’s Grand Met restaurant.
“DFW’s expansion into new international markets, made possible by Terminal D’s amenities and exceptional operations, has been vital to growing opportunities for the Airport and for Dallas/Fort Worth as a whole, positioning the region as an influential international player,” Donohue said.
Today, the Airport hosts routes to 149 domestic and 56 international destinations for 63.5 million annual passengers, including over 7 million international passengers. In the past 15 months, Terminal D has welcomed new direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Doha.
Terminal D, the Grand Hyatt DFW and Skylink were built as the major portion of DFW’s Capital Development Program launched in 1999, and collectively cost about $2 billion to design and complete.
Key Facts
Opening Dates
- Skylink: May 21, 2005
- Grand Hyatt DFW: July 1, 2005
- Terminal D: July 23, 2005
DFW Then & Now
|
2005 |
2015 |
Change |
|
|
Airlines with international service |
10 |
19 |
Up 90% |
|
International destinations |
36 |
56 |
Up 55.5% |
|
Weekly international flights |
433 |
592 |
Up 36.7% |
|
Annual total passengers |
*59.4 m |
**63.5 m |
Up 6.9% |
|
Annual international passengers |
*5.16 m |
**7.16 m |
Up 38.7% |
|
*Calendar year 2004 **Calendar year 2014 |
Terminal D By The Numbers
|
27 |
Terminal D aircraft gates |
|
2 million |
Square footage of Terminal D interior space |
|
35,000 |
Average daily passengers in Terminal D |
|
25,000 |
Average daily bags checked at Terminal D |
|
37,000 |
Square footage of Terminal D’s stainless steel roof |
Skylink By The Numbers
|
141 million |
Customers served by Skylink since its opening |
|
32.4 million |
Total mileage driven by Skylink fleet since its opening |
|
2 minutes |
Skylink train arrival interval time |
|
5 minutes |
Average customer ride time |
|
18 minutes |
Average time for one complete loop around DFW |
|
4.81 miles |
Total mileage of Skylink guideway |
|
50 feet |
Average elevation of Skylink guideway |
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
