Airport Love

Virgin America seeks gates at Dallas Love Field for new direct flights

Virgin America is looking to join the post-Wright Amendment world of Dallas Love Field. On March 5, the California-based airline announced plans to add new daily direct flights from Dallas to New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.

Virgin hopes to secure two Love Field gates that will be up for grabs in October when American Airlines merges with US Airways. The timing coincides with the expiration of the Wright Amendment, which restricted flights from Love Field since 1979.

"As the last major airline launched in the U.S., we've seen firsthand what happens when new entrant airlines have a chance to come into markets where a few big airlines dominate — service improves and fares drop," Virgin America president and CEO David Cush said in a statement.

If successful, Virgin America would move operations currently at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and offer the following nonstop flights beginning in October:

DAL to New York's LaGuardia Airport (four round-trip flights a day)
DAL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (four round-trip flights a day)
DAL to Los Angeles International Airport (three round-trip flights a day, expanding to four in 2015)
DAL to San Francisco International Airport (three round-trip flights a day, expanding to four in 2015)

In early 2015, Virgin would introduce two daily flights to Chicago O'Hare.

"Dallas is a major economic center, and as such, it deserves more business-friendly flight competition from the airport closest to the Central Business District," added Cush. "The opportunity to expand our low-fare, upscale service in Dallas allows us to not only spur fare competition for local consumers, but also provide business travelers with more choice and consistent flight options."

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Airport News

DFW Airport seeks local restaurants to fill 14 new open slots

Manning

DFW Airport restaurants

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is seeking new restaurants who want to open a location on the premises. According to a release, the airport has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting local brands and flavors to apply for 14 retail and dining locations across multiple terminals.

“As we build new gates, reimagine existing spaces and construct a new Terminal F, DFW Airport is committed to showcasing our region through our shops and restaurants so that when people travel through our terminals, there’s no denying they have arrived in the heart of Dallas and Fort Worth,” says DFW Chief Revenue Officer Ken Buchanan in a statement. “DFW serves tens of millions of travelers each year, and this is a chance for local businesses to help create an incredible sense of place within our terminals.”

The RFP is open for submissions now through February 2, 2026, and includes 11 food and beverage opportunities and three specialty retail locations across Terminals A, B, E, and F.

Concepts range from fast-casual, fast-food, and grab-and-go concepts to frozen treats, popcorn, cosmetics, and specialty retail.

All proposal submissions must be made through the Bonfire Procurement Platform.

DFW welcomed approximately 87 million customers in 2024, with continued growth projected to surpass 100 million passengers per year before 2030.

The latest RFP opportunity comes as DFW continues to make progress on its $12 billion capital improvement plan, DFW Forward, which is transforming terminals, expanding gate capacity and enhancing the customer experience across the entire airport. In addition to the new Terminal F, DFW is rebuilding Terminal C and expanding gate areas in Terminals A and C – projects that will introduce modern spaces, new amenities and a stronger platform for small and local businesses to grow inside one of the world’s busiest airports.

airport openings