Holiday travel tips

DFW Airport gears up for busiest holiday travel season on record

DFW Airport

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is preparing to welcome a record 4.7 million travelers during the 2024 winter holiday season, December 20 to January 7.

That's a 2.4 percent increase from last year’s holiday period, they say.

According to a release, the busiest travel days will be the weekends before and after Christmas Day. Friday, December 20, is expected to be the busiest of all, with an estimated 265,000 passengers. Peak travel times will be evenings and weekends from 5-9 pm, typically around Terminal C, they say.

With more travelers comes more traffic. Traffic congestion around peak travel times could be exacerbated by construction zones related to the building of the airport's sixth terminal, Terminal F. One of the parking garages at Terminal C is also closed.

To help alleviate traffic woes, DFW Airport will have additional officers patrolling terminal roadways, curbs, and garages, enforcing curbside rules along the more than 4.6 miles of terminal curbs. Crosswalks at all terminals will be staffed during high-volume hours to maintain efficient traffic movement, and new overflow parking options and rideshare traffic plans will be introduced.

Temporary barriers and signage will redirect traffic in congested areas, such as Terminals B and C, to ease bottlenecks. Officers will be placed at key intersections to move traffic more quickly.

DFW Airport also recommends these travel tips for passengers:

Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least two hours before flights and three hours before international flights to allow time for parking, check-in, and security screening.
Use public transit: DART’s Orange Line provides direct access to Terminal A. TEXRail connects riders to Terminal B. Trinity Railway Express offers service from Dallas and Fort Worth to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, with terminal access via the TRE Link shuttle.
Use Express and Remote lots: Shuttle service from the airport’s Express and Remote parking lots provide quick access to the terminals. Shuttles to the terminals reduce vehicle traffic by as many as eight vehicles per trip.
Follow curbside rules: Curbside areas are designated for active loading and unloading only. Stopping is limited to the time needed to load or unload passengers at the curb. Stopping in any other lanes is not allowed, is unsafe, and causes delays.
Pick-up in the garages: Offering convenience for longer pick-ups or drop-offs, including one-hour parking options, allowing stops for longer times outside of traffic.

They also encourage visitors to use the DFW mobile app to make the planning and travel process smoother.

“By planning ahead, arriving early, and downloading the DFW app, travelers can make the most of their airport experience," says Ken Buchanan, DFW executive vice president of customer experience and revenue management, in a statement. "The app offers everything you need – parking updates, real-time wait times, and more – to help you navigate the airport effortlessly.”

For the latest updates on traffic, parking, and construction, visit the DFW website here.

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Hotel News

Hotel Indigo chain debuts new property on Las Colinas' Mandalay Canal

Courtesy

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas

A new hotel has opened in Irving: The anticipated Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas, now open at 455 E John W Carpenter Fwy, along the scenic Mandalay Canal.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas is owned and managed by Shreem Capital, a Dallas-based real estate investment firm that specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of opportunistic and trendsetting hotel properties.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas is part of InterContinental Hotels Group and represents the third Indigo hotel in DFW, following one downtown Dallas and another that opened in Frisco in WHEN.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Clinas has the following elements:

151 rooms
5,300-plus square feet of event space
a fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise machines
two on-site restaurants
an infinity pool

Design
Crafted by Studio 11 Design, Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas stands as a tribute to the legacy of the Carpenter family, whose influence resonates throughout the hotel’s interior spaces.

The rooms feature dynamic lighting, soft curves, textures that celebrate the original landscape.

The design also pays homage to European artistry, with: tile patterns reminiscent of classic styles and a layout that draws parallels to the meandering waterways of Italy.

Accommodations
The 151 guest rooms feature plush bedding, hardwood-style flooring, spa-inspired showers, workstations, coffee makers, mini-fridges, laptop safes, and a 55-inch flat-screen smart TV with cable for streaming entertainment. Bathrooms feature glass-enclosed spa-like showers and Zenology bath products.

The Presidential Hospitality Suites and Executive Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Mandalay Canal and wrap-around balconies. The Presidential Suites can expand into a three-bedroom accommodation with connecting rooms, and the Executive Suites can become a two-bedroom retreat.

Food & Beverage
There are four food & beverage destinations at the hotel:

Kleo is the main restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef Nicolas Linardi of modern Mediterranean menu food that includes sabream with matbucha and saffron rice; Grecian Chicken, with oregano, sumac, lemon, and tabbouleh; lamb meatballs with feta, mint, yogurt, and pine nuts; and Caesar salad with baby Romaine wedge, tahini Caesar dressing, tabbouleh, and crispy bulgur.
Kleo Patio has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that frame the Infinite Pool Garden. This design allows diners to easily transition between indoor and outdoor experiences, enhancing the feel of dining immersed in nature.
Kleo Bar has a wrap-around layout and intimate lighting, serving cocktails like the signature Tzatziki Martini, a blend of dill-infused gin, blanc vermouth, cucumber, black lemon bitters; Turkish Fire Drill with vodka, Kahlua, and Turkish coffee; Forbidden Fruit with spiced apple bourbon, pomegranate juice, lemon, and star anise.
La Serie Lobby Café is a casual coffee and dessert shop with cappuccino, croissants, and Danish.

Fitness & Wellness
A 1,100-square-foot fitness center has elliptical machines, free weights, stair stepper machines, stationary bicycles, and treadmills, with large windows that fill the space with natural light.

Meetings & Events
Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas has indoor and outdoor event space that can accommodate gatherings of up to 300. There's a 3,100-square-foot upscale ballroom; and a smaller boardroom.

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