For executives flying private into Dallas, the choice usually comes down to two airports. Dallas Love Field is the closer option for Downtown, Uptown and the Park Cities. Addison Airport is often the more practical choice for North Dallas, Addison, Plano and Frisco, and it offers 24-hour U.S. Customs for international arrivals.
The right answer depends on where the passenger needs to be after landing and where the flight is coming from. Here's how we think through it when a flight department or executive assistant asks.
The short answer
Land at Love Field when the first stop is Downtown, Uptown, Victory Park, Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow or the Medical District, and the flight is domestic.
Land at Addison when the first stop is in Addison, the Galleria area, North Dallas, Plano, Legacy West or Frisco, or when an international flight needs to clear customs.
Either way, the ground plan starts with the same three details: the FBO name, the tail number and an updated arrival time.
Dallas Love Field for private aviation
Love Field is best known as Southwest Airlines' home airport, but it is also a busy general aviation field. According to the airport, four full-service FBOs operate there:
Signature Flight Support: 8001 Lemmon Avenue
Atlantic Aviation: 3232 Love Field Drive
Jet Aviation: 7363 Cedar Springs Road
Business Jet: 8611 Lemmon Avenue
The FBOs sit on different sides of the field, along Lemmon Avenue, Love Field Drive and Cedar Springs Road. That's why the FBO name matters: a chauffeur sent to the wrong one can be on the other side of the airport.
Love Field's limits on airline service don't apply to private flights. The 2006 federal law that caps the airport at 20 gates and bars scheduled international nonstops states plainly that it does not affect general aviation, including corporate aviation. For commercial travelers, our guide to Dallas Love Field vs. DFW covers that side of the decision.
Where Love Field works best: central Dallas. It's close to Uptown, Downtown and the Park Cities, so a CEO can land and reach a lunch meeting or a residence in Highland Park on a short drive.
Addison Airport for private aviation
Addison Airport sits in the Town of Addison, north of Dallas, near the Dallas North Tollway. It serves private and corporate aviation rather than airlines. According to the airport's general information page, it has:
Three FBOs
Nearly 600 based aircraft
More than 120,000 operations a year
24-hour U.S. Customs service
That last point matters for international flights. A private jet arriving from Mexico, Canada or overseas can clear customs at Addison around the clock. Confirm the customs arrangements with your flight department and FBO before the trip.
Where Addison works best: the northern business corridor, including Addison, the Galleria area, North Dallas, Plano, Legacy West and Frisco. For an executive heading to a headquarters along the Tollway, Addison often means a shorter drive than crossing central Dallas from Love Field. See our pages on Plano and Frisco executive car service.
Side-by-side comparison
Dallas Love FieldAddison AirportLocationNorthwest of downtown DallasTown of Addison, north of DallasFBOsFour: Signature, Atlantic, Jet Aviation, Business JetThreeAirline trafficYes; Southwest's home airportNo; private and corporate aviationU.S. Customs for private arrivalsConfirm with your FBO24-hour U.S. CustomsUsually closer toDowntown, Uptown, Park Cities, Medical DistrictAddison, North Dallas, Plano, Legacy West, Frisco
Sources: Dallas Love Field, General Aviation; Addison Airport, General Information.
What the ground transportation needs to know
Private aviation schedules move. A departure slips an hour, weather changes the routing, or the aircraft lands early. The ground plan needs to follow the aircraft, not the original estimate.
When we coordinate an FBO pickup, we ask for:
The airport and FBO name. Love Field alone has four.
The tail number, so the arrival can be tracked.
An estimated arrival time and a flight-department contact who can update it.
Passenger names and count, plus who is authorized to change the plan.
Luggage, including golf bags or equipment.
The first destination and any stops after it.
Our private aviation transportation page lists everything we need, and what should happen after your private jet lands walks through the arrival itself.
Choosing the vehicle for an FBO arrival
The vehicle should match the passengers and the luggage, not just the aircraft.
BMW 7 Series: one or two executives with standard luggage.
Full-size luxury SUV: families, small teams, golf bags or larger luggage.
Mercedes-Maybach: VIP guests and occasions where the arrival itself matters; see Elite Class. Availability is confirmed at booking.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dallas airport is best for a private jet? It depends on the destination. Love Field is usually closer to Downtown, Uptown and the Park Cities. Addison is usually closer to North Dallas, Plano and Frisco, and offers 24-hour U.S. Customs.
Does Addison Airport have customs for international private flights? Yes. Addison Airport states it offers 24-hour U.S. Customs services. Confirm arrangements with your FBO and flight department before departure.
How many FBOs are at Dallas Love Field? Four: Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation and Business Jet.
Do the Wright Amendment limits affect private jets at Love Field? No. The 2006 law limiting Love Field's gates and international nonstop airline service states that it does not affect general aviation, including corporate aviation.
What does a chauffeur need for an FBO pickup? The airport, FBO name, tail number, estimated arrival time, passenger details, luggage and first destination, plus a contact who can update the arrival time.
Plan the ground side of the trip
MP Limousine provides chauffeur service for private aviation arrivals and departures at Love Field, Addison and other airports across North Texas, coordinated with flight departments, executive assistants and family offices. Contact our team with the FBO and tail number, or reserve online.
Related reading: Your Private Jet Just Landed in Dallas. What Should Happen Next? · Dallas Love Field vs. DFW · How to Vet a Corporate Ground Transportation Provider in Dallas
Private aviation transportation: in the FAQ answer "Which Dallas airports have FBOs for private jets?", add "Compare the two in our Addison vs. Love Field guide."
Your Private Jet Just Landed in Dallas: near the start, "Still choosing where to land? See Addison vs. Love Field."
Dallas Love Field vs. DFW: at the end of "The private aviation option," add "Flying into the north side instead? Compare Addison and Love Field."