DFW Airport has reopened four rebuilt gates in Terminal C. Gates C 35-39 were rebuilt off-site and then moved into place as part of a $2 billion renovation of Terminals A and C.
The reconstructed gates include larger windows, bigger signs and better ventilation. Robert Horton, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at DFW, says EPA stats show people spend 90% of their time indoors.
"With that, the pollutants can be three to four times higher than outside conditions," he says. "At the beginning of the pandemic, our investments proved valuable because we were able to show we were already doing the work."
Horton says larger signs can help passengers unfamiliar with the airport find their way around quickly if they have a connecting flight. He says the larger windows will provide more natural light, but they also tint automatically based on the location of the sun.
"Travel is just a very stressful experience overall, so anything we as an airport can do to mitigate that stress and make it more comfortable for passengers, we're going to invest in those measures," Horton says.
American Airlines fully occupies Terminal C and worked with DFW on the design and construction.
"This would not have been possible if that partnership and that relationship was not as strong as it is," says American Airlines Vice President of DFW Operations Jim Moses.
Thirty percent of American's passengers pass through DFW Airport.
"It's a very modern look and feel," Moses says. "We have listened to customers as we have designed this facility and listened to team members on what they felt was important in their space, too."
DFW is also building nine additional gates at Terminals A and C as part of the project. The new gates are expected to be completed in 2026.
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