Dallas, Texas, is one of the largest cities in the United States, so it is no wonder it is home to frequent travelers. The city is home to over 1.3 million residents, making it the biggest city in the state of Texas. It is also directly next to Fort Worth, Texas, which also holds just under one million residents.

Because of the area’s dense population, the Dallas and Fort Worth area is home to several airports. The most-known airport in the region is known as Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). This airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It was recorded as the third-busiest airport in the world in 2023, and also the second-busiest airport in the United States. It is also the location of American Airlines headquarters, and is therefore the busiest hub for the popular global airline. It serves more nonstop destinations than any other airport in the US, including over 190 domestic destinations and approximately sixty different international destinations. Besides

, thirty different airlines operate from Dallas-Fort Worth.

However, many travelers have flown through another Dallas-based airport known as Dallas Love Field (DAL). This airport has several airlines that operate through it, but the majority of travelers who fly privately also choose to operate to and from Dallas Love Field. Let’s take a closer look at how Dallas Love Field began, as well as some of the current operations that are active at the popular airport.

The early years of Dallas Love Field

In the 1910s, the United States Army began searching for locations across the US for a series of air fields to be used for training prospective pilots. In 1917, the US Army selected the future area for Dallas Love Field as one of the training camps. The airfield opened in October 1917, and it was mostly utilized by the US Army Air Service for both basic and advanced flight training programs.

Several different training units were assigned to Love Field during World War I. Most of these squadrons flew the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny from the airport. As World War I concluded, many cadets were allowed to remain at the airfield to complete the rest of their training.

However, after the war, Love Field was deactivated. Instead, it was converted to a storage facility for trainer aircraft. Hundreds of surplus aircraft were located at the airfield, and eventually many of these aircraft were dismantled and sold.

The city of Dallas purchased the airfield in 1928 for civilian transport operations. The first commercial service began shortly after, which was operated by National Air Transport company. Other services were operated by American Airlines, Braniff International Airways, and

.

As World War II began, the airfield returned to a training facility for the US military. This also included the introduction of several new schools and facilities to help train new pilots for World War II. Some of the groups that trained at Love Field include:

• Dallas Texas Aviation School
• Air Materiel Command
• Air Transport Command
• Women’s Auxiliary Ferry Squadron (WAFS)

The recent history of Dallas Love Field

After World War II concluded, Love Field returned to a commercial hub for the large Texas city. By the end of the 1950s, Love Field was flown into by several airlines, including:

• Braniff
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Trans-Texas Airways
• Central Airlines
• Continental Airways

It saw further growth as jet aircraft became utilized more by commercial airlines. This was assisted by the construction of a new terminal that opened in 1958, which featured the world’s first moving walkways in an airport. Continental Airlines began flying a Vickers Viscount turboprop aircraft to DAL in 1959, and later that year American Airlines began operations with a Boeing 707.

However, in 1964, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) recommended that Dallas and Fort Worth create a single airport between the two cities, to avoid competition between the two closely located commercial airports. By 1968, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) was agreed upon, and every airline operating at Love Field agreed to move their operations once it opened in 1974.

Current operations at Dallas Love Field

By the early 1980s, only

was operating from Love Field. The airline enjoyed its convenience and saw success on short-haul trips to other major Texas cities. Southwest Airlines had successfully dominated the airport with help from the Wright Amendment, which only allowed travel through the airport to Texas and its four neighboring states. Other airlines instead chose to operate from DFW, as they could easily connect to a larger variety of destinations.

However, by 2014, the Wright Amendment was repealed. Several other airlines, including American Airlines, began operating service at Love Field. Additionally, Southwest Airlines greatly expanded its offerings from the airport.

However, Love Field also expanded its private offerings, especially as many airlines had moved to DFW. A large private terminal is operational on the north side of the airport, away from the commercial terminal.

Currently, the airport has four fixed base operators (FBOs) for private jet owners and charter services. These FBOs include:

• Signature Flight Support
• Jet Aviation
• Business Jet Center
• Atlantic Aviation

Its location to downtown Dallas is just six miles away, meaning many private travelers take advantage of the location. Due to the extensive network at Love Field, the airport is a popular choice for private travelers. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, Love Field was the third-busiest airport for private jets in the US. It recorded just under 40,000 business jet departures in 2023, trailing only Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey and Palm Beach Airport (PBI) in Florida.