Honestly, if you’ve ever flown through Dallas Love Field, you know the vibe is just different. It’s not the sprawling, soul-crushing hike that is DFW International. It feels contained. Efficient. Almost cozy, if an airport can be that. But there’s a reason it feels that way, and it’s not just good interior design. It’s because of a very specific, legally-mandated number: 20.
Dallas Love Field is capped at exactly 20 gates.
You won’t find Gate 21 or Gate 50 here. That limit is the ghost of the Wright Amendment, a piece of 1979 legislation that was supposed to protect the then-new DFW Airport from competition. Even though the Wright Amendment was fully repealed back in 2014, the 20-gate cap stayed behind like a stubborn houseguest. It’s the single biggest factor shaping your travel experience through DAL today.
The Gate Breakdown: Who Sits Where?
If you’re looking for your gate, you basically have one hallway to worry about. It’s a T-shaped concourse. You clear security, walk through the "stem" of the T (where the good snacks are), and then you’re at the gates.
Southwest Airlines is the undisputed king here. Out of those 20 gates, Southwest controls 18 of them. They recently signed a lease extension that keeps them in those gates until at least 2040. So, if you’re flying Southwest, you’re looking at Gates 1 through 10 and 13 through 20.
The remaining two gates? Those are currently handled by Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Delta typically operates out of Gate 11, and Alaska usually finds its home at Gate 12.
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- Southwest Airlines: Gates 1-10, 13-20
- Delta Air Lines: Gate 11
- Alaska Airlines: Gate 12
It’s a tight squeeze. Because there are only 20 gates, the "turn time"—the time it takes to get one plane out and the next one in—is critical. If one flight is delayed at Gate 7, it ripples through the whole afternoon.
The LEAP Initiative: Expansion (But Not More Gates)
Here is where it gets interesting. Even though the gate count is frozen at 20, the airport is actually about to get a lot bigger.
The city recently finalized something called the Love Field Expansion Airport Program, or LEAP. It’s an $800 million project. Now, before you get excited about more flight options, remember the law: they still can’t build Gate 21. Instead, they are widening the existing concourse by 50 feet.
If you’ve ever tried to walk to Gate 18 on a Thursday afternoon when three flights are boarding at once, you know why this matters. The "alleyways" between the seating areas and the shops are currently way too narrow. The LEAP project is basically about giving the 10 million people who use these 20 gates some room to breathe.
Design for this expansion is kicking off right now in 2026, with actual construction slated for 2027. They’re also planning to tear down Garage A—which is reaching the end of its life—and build a new "terminal headhouse" in its place.
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What Most People Get Wrong About DAL Gates
People often assume that because Love Field is "the Southwest airport," they can just show up 30 minutes before boarding. Don't do that.
Because there are only 20 gates, the terminal is actually over-capacity. It was designed to handle about 6 million people a year, but it’s currently pushing 10 million. That means the security line at the base of the gate concourse can get surprisingly backed up.
Another common mistake? Thinking you can easily walk from your gate to a different airline's desk. Since all 20 gates are behind a single security checkpoint, it’s easy to move between them, but the ticketing counters are a different story. Southwest’s counters are to the east, while the others are tucked away.
The Politics of the 20-Gate Cap
Why not just add more gates? It sounds simple, but it’s a legal minefield.
There’s a "Five-Party Agreement" involving the City of Dallas, the City of Fort Worth, the DFW Airport Board, Southwest, and American Airlines. This agreement is what keeps the cap in place. Fort Worth and DFW Airport generally oppose any expansion at Love Field because they want to protect the international hub status of DFW.
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There was some talk in late 2025 about the City of Dallas potentially eyeing an expansion to 24 or even 32 gates in the distant future, but Southwest has been non-committal. Why? Because they already own 90% of the real estate there. More gates would just mean more competition for them.
Pro Tips for Navigating the Concourse
If you’re stuck waiting at your gate, here’s the reality: the "center" of the T-shape is where the action is.
- Food Strategy: The Whataburger near the intersection of the gates is a classic, but the line is always a nightmare. If you’re at Gate 1 or 20 (the far ends), it’s a hike. Grab your food before you head to the end of the wing.
- Charging: Every gate has power poles and USB ports built into the seats now, thanks to recent tech upgrades. You don't have to hover around a wall outlet like it's 2012.
- The Skybridge: If you’re parked in Garage B or C, use the skybridge. It drops you right near the security entrance, which is much faster than dragging bags across the lower-level roadway.
The 20-gate limit makes Dallas Love Field one of the most productive airports in the country per square foot. It’s crowded, sure, but it’s predictable. You know exactly where your gate is going to be because there aren't that many places for it to hide.
Next Steps for Your Trip
Check your flight status on the Dallas Love Field (DAL) website or the Southwest app about two hours before departure. Since gate assignments at DAL are very fluid due to the high volume of flights per gate, your gate can change even after you’ve cleared security. If you’re driving, aim for Garage C for the shortest walk to the security checkpoint that leads to all 20 gates.