While details remain limited as of now, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is expected to get two new lounges in 2026, contributing to what’s arguably becoming the best terminal in the United States for lounge quality.
In this post:
Plaza Premium First Lounge coming to DFW (and more)!
In early 2026, Plaza Premium is planning on opening two lounges at DFW Airport Terminal D. The lounges are expected to be located near gate D17, and the facility will include both a standard Plaza Premium Lounge, plus a Plaza Premium First Lounge. I find that Plaza Premium’s lounge facilities are among the best “contract” lounges you’ll find, though admittedly that’s not a very high bar.
I’d expect the standard Plaza Premium Lounge to have all the features you’d expect, like a buffet, open bar, etc. Meanwhile Plaza Premium First is the lounge operator’s premium lounge concept, which usually has much nicer decor, a la carte dining, barista coffee, and more.
You can expect the standard Plaza Premium Lounge will likely be accessible by those with the Amex Platinum Card (along with some other premium cards), and as a contract lounge for select airlines. Meanwhile the Plaza Premium First Lounge may be contracted by some premium airlines as well, and otherwise, will likely be available for a co-pay beyond access to the standard lounge.
This will be the first Plaza Premium First Lounge in the United States, so that’s pretty exciting. The only other one in North America is in Vancouver (YVR), and that recently opened. I’ll be sure to report back when we learn more.
Interestingly, Plaza Premium’s first-ever lounge in the United States is also at DFW (though in Terminal E), and that opened in 2020. However, at just 1,400 square feet, it has to be among the smallest airport lounges you’ll find anywhere in the United States.
DFW Terminal D is becoming a lounge powerhouse
You can’t help but appreciate what a lounge powerhouse Terminal D at DFW is becoming. On the credit card front, the lounge has an Amex Centurion Lounge, a Capital One Lounge, and soon it’ll have a Chase Sapphire Lounge. Then it has an American Flagship Lounge and American Admirals Club, plus The Club at DFW. And now it’ll have a Plaza Premium Lounge and Plaza Premium First Lounge.
That’s a really impressive lounge footprint, and I can’t think of many airport terminals in the United States with such an impressive lounge footprint. I guess maybe New York (JFK) Terminal 4, and Los Angeles (LAX) Tom Bradley International Terminal? But even that’s questionable…
Bottom line
Lounge operator Plaza Premium plans to open two lounges in DFW Terminal D, including the country’s first Plaza Premium First Lounge. It’s lovely to see Terminal D get even more lounge options, not that there was any shortage of lounges as is. I can’t wait to learn more details, but it sounds like we won’t have to wait much longer.
What do you make of Plaza Premium’s plans for DFW?
I know ATL recently got the largest AMEX centurion, and delta is building their Delta One lounge to open in 2028, which is expected to be the largest in the network, but compared to the other airports of international stature similar to ATL, it really feels underserved and underwhelming. I know space is an issue but surely they can find some space. I mean heck the Delta one lounge is rumored to be 30 maybe...
I know ATL recently got the largest AMEX centurion, and delta is building their Delta One lounge to open in 2028, which is expected to be the largest in the network, but compared to the other airports of international stature similar to ATL, it really feels underserved and underwhelming. I know space is an issue but surely they can find some space. I mean heck the Delta one lounge is rumored to be 30 maybe even 40k sq ft+ and no one knows where that space is. I’m sure CSR or some other lounge can find space. Any priority pass lounge would be an upgrade over the not so amazing club at ATL. A credit card lounge would be ideal. I’d take airline lounge even. Feels a perfect place to build an Etihad lounge or skyteam lounge
Lucky,
Can you explain why these lounge providers seem hell-bent on placing them in international terminals? I think they would do much better to catch more flyers by placing them in domestic terminals that lack any clubs for flyers of the non-dominant airline. For example, it makes little sense to have a dozen lounges of all sorts in IAH terminal D (intl). Meanwhile all of the flyers for DL, AA, Spirit, Frontier, etc would...
Lucky,
Can you explain why these lounge providers seem hell-bent on placing them in international terminals? I think they would do much better to catch more flyers by placing them in domestic terminals that lack any clubs for flyers of the non-dominant airline. For example, it makes little sense to have a dozen lounges of all sorts in IAH terminal D (intl). Meanwhile all of the flyers for DL, AA, Spirit, Frontier, etc would jump at any lounge anywhere near terminal A. This seems to play out similarly at many US airports.
Economics. Pure and simple.
I wonder how much of a market there is for this "First" Lounge... As far as I am aware, the only airlines (excluding AA) offering F ex-DFW are EK and QF, which presumably, even accounting for their top elites, don't account that many customers. Besides, from what I've heard, the gap in offerings between the regular and First Plaza lounges isn't that significant, so unless they're accounting on cheap upsells, I don't see why anyone...
I wonder how much of a market there is for this "First" Lounge... As far as I am aware, the only airlines (excluding AA) offering F ex-DFW are EK and QF, which presumably, even accounting for their top elites, don't account that many customers. Besides, from what I've heard, the gap in offerings between the regular and First Plaza lounges isn't that significant, so unless they're accounting on cheap upsells, I don't see why anyone would pay to visit a slightly less mediocre lounge.
JAL and BA
To clarify, this lounge's name includes "First" but has nothing to do with whether a passenger is traveling in F. For international, F/J passengers and those with appropriate tier status would have airline-operated lounge access. Thus, the subject lounges likely target Y passengers and those without appropriate tier status. And, indeed, industry statistics find that only 44 percent of lounge visitors have access via cabin class (25%) or tier status (19%). (Note that only about...
To clarify, this lounge's name includes "First" but has nothing to do with whether a passenger is traveling in F. For international, F/J passengers and those with appropriate tier status would have airline-operated lounge access. Thus, the subject lounges likely target Y passengers and those without appropriate tier status. And, indeed, industry statistics find that only 44 percent of lounge visitors have access via cabin class (25%) or tier status (19%). (Note that only about 4 percent of loyalty program members have tier status that would afford lounge access when traveling internationally in a non-premium cabin.)
What are the other 56 percent of lounge visitors doing? Airline-operated lounges are typically not available to Priority Pass during airline-specific hours. So, they likely turn to these independent lounges. And, while our personal desire might be otherwise, these lounges likely have determined the economics are more attractive in terminals with a higher percentage of international flights.
Industry statistics (and numerous anecdotal articles) show the demand for such lounge access is there and increasing -- just look at the line at any Amex lounge. DFW Terminal D averages 15,000 to 20,000 passengers per day. I'll guess someone is not going to put in a lounge unless they believe they can snag a reasonable share of those passengers.
The Sapphire Lounge is what we most want. We fly through DFW 4X monthly and recently dropped our VX cards. Our Ritz cards get us in Be Relax, Minute Suites, and The Club, and our Alaska Lounge+ gets us Admirals access. Plaza Premium will add to the huge variety.
The Sapphire Lounge is what we most want. We fly through DFW 4X monthly and recently dropped our VX cards. Our Ritz cards get us in Be Relax, Minute Suites, and The Club, and our Alaska Lounge+ gets us Admirals access. Plaza Premium will add to the huge variety.
the plaza premium first lounge in hong kong was always excellent. Hopefully the new DFW one will be too.
If you are entering via an airline sure. But the general credit card and lounge pass section is super crowded and feels like a cafeteria with couches. Though food selection is super brilliant in all sections
I didn’t realize until recently that there was such a thing as Plaza Premium First. An article explaining the difference would be neat!
Put that on Ben's bucket list. While pithy, he wrote: "Meanwhile Plaza Premium First is the lounge operator’s premium lounge concept, which usually has much nicer decor, a la carte dining, barista coffee, and more." From this snippet, I'll guess it would be akin to Flagship First Dining, Delta One, or Polaris type of food service. But, perhaps not as elegant as (say) a non-US first class lounge.
What airlines would use the First lounge?
Given the number of Delta elites in DFW, which back in the day was a Delta hub, it would be nice if the small Sky Club was expanded.
While we’re at it, sure would be nice if American updated its ancient Admirals Club in Atlanta. See, no reason they can’t ‘try’ in their competitors’ fortress hubs.
I'll give Delta credit. They actually make an effort in Denver, Austin, Phoenix, and Dallas-DFW. If only they would try at Dulles and Houston.
@1990... Or maybe if it stayed open past 8pm that would be great. Flying out of ATL A LOT, I'm used to the sad lack of a premium lounge when traveling internationally. But the one world situation is a disaster. We were flying BA a couple years ago and shlepped all the way to T to go to the lounge just to find them closing. Honestly, that was my fail as I should have remembered....
@1990... Or maybe if it stayed open past 8pm that would be great. Flying out of ATL A LOT, I'm used to the sad lack of a premium lounge when traveling internationally. But the one world situation is a disaster. We were flying BA a couple years ago and shlepped all the way to T to go to the lounge just to find them closing. Honestly, that was my fail as I should have remembered. So, we got lots of steps in (I always walk in ATL rather than train it) and went back to F where we went to Club at ATL and that was just nasty and crowded. So ithe Admirals Club is an old, lame club, but it beats the alternative.
For airlines without sufficient presence to justify their own lounge, I'd guess they'd use a partner's lounge. So, I can't imagine that an airline would contract with such a lounge. Could be but I doubt it. This seems to be an up-charge opportunity for independent lounge operators. The demand is there.
Ben, the two flavors of lounge present an interesting concept. What would you say to two flavors of Priority Pass lounge? One that accepts all Priority Pass members and the other for Priority Pass members traveling in a premium cabin irrespective of airline. A little different take on the concept in your article.
Dallas is on its way to becoming the 4th largest city in the US, so it makes sense to have all these lounges.
That being said I don't find the First lounge concept to be all that "swanky" or impressive.
My experiences at them like at KUL or HKG have been mid (at least for Asia lounge standards). They're fine in terms of food/drink, but nothing I'd ever go out of my way for. I...
Dallas is on its way to becoming the 4th largest city in the US, so it makes sense to have all these lounges.
That being said I don't find the First lounge concept to be all that "swanky" or impressive.
My experiences at them like at KUL or HKG have been mid (at least for Asia lounge standards). They're fine in terms of food/drink, but nothing I'd ever go out of my way for. I think SGN is an airport that could really use a Plaza Premium First lounge though given how large of an outstation it is for a lot of non SkyTeam airlines.
What a ‘cool’ claim to fame… I can hear the chanting now: ‘we’re becoming #4! we’re becoming #4! yeehaw!’ *facepalm*
You seem to be the one framing it as "cool" for whatever reason, how bizarre.
These are just empirical facts based on population trends. Dallas will surpass Chicago's population within a decade.
Perhaps.
But at least Chicago will remain a ‘real’ city, with history, theater, culture, architecture, fine dining, 65 ethnic neighborhoods, and a stunning lakefront.
Dallas? Not so much.
Ha! Dallas is barely the 3rd largest city in Texas. Fort Worth and Austin will soon pass Dallas, making it #5 in Texas. Dallas is #9 in the US.
He means the DFW metroplex, which the DFW airport serves. The DFW airport — or at least all parts accessible to passengers — is in fact in Fort Worth, not Dallas. The county line is east of the A,C,E terminals.
Agree with this, the Plaza Premium model seems to be initially offer a nice space with a good selection of F&B to generate some positive reviews, then cut cut cut as much as possible, fail to maintain the facilities and ram in the guests.
This also applies to the First lounges, there’s nothing particularly ‘swanky’ about either the HKG or KUL first lounge at this point and they are inferior to a nice airline...
Agree with this, the Plaza Premium model seems to be initially offer a nice space with a good selection of F&B to generate some positive reviews, then cut cut cut as much as possible, fail to maintain the facilities and ram in the guests.
This also applies to the First lounges, there’s nothing particularly ‘swanky’ about either the HKG or KUL first lounge at this point and they are inferior to a nice airline operated business lounge (the Cathay Pacific business lounges at HKG are much better if you have access).
It’s basically impossible to run a genuinely premium pay entry lounge these days, too many people have access through various lounge schemes, credit cards and pay per access and so they all end up just chasing volume rather than prioritising quality.
JFK T4 edges out perhaps terminal v terminal, but given that all of the DFW terminals are connected airside, overall much more access to the DFW lounges. What a treat.
“Delightful…” /s
I think JFK T4 still is number 1 with Capital One, Amex, Chase, Delta One and Sky Club, as well as several priority pass lounges and Emirates. DFW D is very close though.
100%. JFK is better than DFW. On lounges. And generally.
The Plaza Premium Lounge DFW Terminal E isn't really a lounge, it's more of a shop with only tables and limited drinks, a very small selection of snacks, and a bar. It's pretty sad compared to the quality Plaza Premium is known for.
Montreal (YUL) has a Plaza Premium lounge in the transborder terminal (can't remember if it's operated by PP, or if it's in conjunction with another operator/brand). That one is a similar...
The Plaza Premium Lounge DFW Terminal E isn't really a lounge, it's more of a shop with only tables and limited drinks, a very small selection of snacks, and a bar. It's pretty sad compared to the quality Plaza Premium is known for.
Montreal (YUL) has a Plaza Premium lounge in the transborder terminal (can't remember if it's operated by PP, or if it's in conjunction with another operator/brand). That one is a similar concept to the current DFW one, but much better in my opinion (and a bit bigger, though it is open air to the rest of the terminal).
It's small, but it always has full service food with a hot protein, hot side dish, and a hot soup in addition to sandwiches, cold snacks, cookies, fruit, and a full basic bar. Honestly... they serve chicken far less often than the other lounges. They often have some type of beef for the main dish which is becoming rarer for lounges. Was shocked Capital One X in DFW only had chicken and had removed the bacon from their mac and cheese last time i went.
The Plaza Premium lounge in Terminal E is pretty sad. Hopefully the new locations in Terminal D will be better.
First reported here back in August! https://viewfromthewing.com/dfws-terminal-d-is-about-to-become-the-best-for-lounges-in-america-fueled-by-a-project-no-one-has-reported-yet/
Airport documents note that this will be "the primary lounge for airline carriers without dedicated lounge service in Terminal D."