American Airlines and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport have unveiled the new Terminal C pier, part of a major transformation of American’s largest and most important hub. The new “pier”—part of a $3 billion expansion of Terminal C—features nine new electronic boarding gates equipped with industry-leading technology, along with new concessions, seating, restrooms, and a spacious, modern design.
“The opening of the new pier provides a preview of what customers can expect from the ongoing transformation at DFW, showcasing American’s Forever Forward mindset as we look to the future,” Jim Moses, American’s SVP of DFW operations, said in a statement. “The expansion also arrives just in time to serve our customers during what’s going to be a landmark summer.”
That landmark summer, of course, includes FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off this week and features nine matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
“DFW is central to our global operation,” Moses added, “and the historic investments we’re making to modernize and expand our terminal facilities in partnership with DFW Airport will continue to enhance the customer experience and make way for future growth.”
The completion of Terminal C’s new pier was celebrated among partners, including American and DFW Airport, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. [Photo: American Airlines]
Sprucing up American’s ‘hometown hub’
The new Terminal C pier was built over the past two years, using a modular construction technique to reduce the impact to operations and accelerate construction, American said. The pier expansion delivers four net-new gates, along with five gates that were rebuilt as part of the project. The gates were constructed in a pier configuration to maximize capacity.
Terminal C, American’s busiest terminal at DFW, will be entirely rebuilt over the next several years as part of the ongoing modernization of the airline’s largest hub. The new gates offer customers a more spacious, modern experience with new light-enhancing energy-efficient windows and high ceilings, which will be used throughout the rebuild of Terminal C.
“Our centennial year has served as an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on 100 years of establishing and growing our footprint across the world, with DFW at the epicenter of that growth throughout the past five decades,” said American’s VP of corporate real estate, Amanda Zhang.
“In partnership with DFW Airport, we’re forging the path forward by redefining the way we prepare for the future and designing facilities to further enhance the customer experience.” Zhang added in a statement. “With even more on approach through our multi-billion-dollar plan to expand DFW, we’re positioning our hometown hub to continue fueling growth for North Texas and American.”
Terminal C reconstruction and Terminal F on the horizon
The pier expansion is part of the first of three phases of the Terminal C reconstruction and expansion project, which will rework the terminal’s existing footprint from terminal door to aircraft door. The terminal’s complete rebuild will include brand-new check-in, security, baggage handling facilities, as well as other amenities important to customers like restrooms, art installations, and restaurant and retail concessions. A complete reconstruction of the adjacent south section of the parking garage is also underway, designed to provide more parking to accommodate the growth in gates.
“Terminal C represents the future of DFW taking shape in real time,” said DFW Airport CEO Chris McLaughlin. “As we prepare to welcome summer travelers and global visitors to North Texas, customers are beginning to see years of planning and investment come to life. Together with American Airlines, we are modernizing one of our most important facilities while building the capacity and customer experience needed to serve the next generation of travel.”
A similar pier-style expansion is also underway at Terminal A, which is set to open later this year with 10 total gates, driving a net gain of five gates to another one of American’s terminals.
Next year, American will open the first phase of Terminal F, also built by modular construction and the airline’s sixth terminal at DFW with 31 new American gates. When it’s finished, DFW’s sixth terminal will bring a major boost in capacity for widebody and international flights, along with a fresh slate of amenities and a bigger economic footprint for the region.
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R E A D N E X T
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Created by Switzerland-based dormakaba Group, the new gates will be installed at American's new Terminals A and C pier expansions—automatically validating boarding passes as passengers pass through to board their aircraft.
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