Dallas/Fort Worth to Los Angeles: the domestic leg before a transpacific flight
Last checked
When this leg makes sense
- DFW already has nonstops to Asia: American and Japan Airlines fly DFW–Tokyo Haneda daily, and Cathay Pacific and EVA Air also serve DFW (see Dallas/Fort Worth to Tokyo and Dallas/Fort Worth to Hong Kong).
- Position through LAX when the flight you want only leaves from Los Angeles: for example Philippine Airlines' Los Angeles–Manila nonstops (PR113, PR123, PR103 in the winter timetable) [S1], STARLUX or China Airlines to Taipei, or ZIPAIR to Narita (see Los Angeles to Taipei and Los Angeles to Tokyo).
Flying it: nonstop options
- American Airlines sells DFW–LAX on its own site [S2]; DFW is American's largest hub, using DFW gates in Terminals A–E [S3]. Exact daily frequency isn't confirmed here; check with your airline.
- Delta and Frontier are reported to fly DFW–LAX too (not confirmed on an official page; check with your airline). Both serve DFW from Terminal E [S3].
Which airport or terminal
- At DFW: American uses gates across Terminals A, B, C, D and E; Delta, United and Frontier use Terminal E [S3].
- At LAX: American checks in at Terminals 4 and 5, and its international flights arrive at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) [S4]. Most Asian airlines (EVA Air, China Airlines, STARLUX, Philippine Airlines, ANA, ZIPAIR, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific) check in and depart at Terminal B [S4][S5]. Japan Airlines checks in at Terminal 4 and departs from Terminal B [S4]. Delta checks in at Terminal 3 and departs from Terminal 2 [S4].
Connection tips if you're continuing on
- Book one ticket (or partner airlines on one booking) so your bags go through to Asia and a late domestic flight is the airline's problem.
- Moving from Terminal 4 to Terminal B: whether you can stay airside or must re-clear security depends on the route between terminals, which isn't confirmed here; check with your airline. Allow at least 3 hours on one ticket, and 4–5 hours on separate tickets (our guidance, not an official rule).
- Coming home: on the way back from Asia you clear US immigration and customs at LAX, then re-check bags for DFW (standard US arrival process; check with your airline about bag recheck).
Sources
- [S1] Philippine Airlines, International Winter Timetable, Oct 25, 2026–Mar 27, 2027 (as of Oct 16, 2026): https://www.philippineairlines.com/content/dam/palportal/migration/feature/timetable/261016-International-W26-as-of-Oct-16-2026.pdf
- [S2] American Airlines, flights to California (lists DFW–LAX and DFW–SFO): https://www.aa.com/en-us/flights-to-california
- [S3] DFW International Airport, Airlines (gates by airline): https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/plan/airlines/
- [S4] Los Angeles International Airport, Airline List (terminal by airline): https://www.flylax.com/lax-airline-list
- [S5] Los Angeles International Airport, Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B): https://www.flylax.com/terminals/terminal-b
Transit Watch
Rule changes, route deep-dives and layover ideas
Coming soon