OREANDA-NEWS. Travelers going through Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport during the 2013 Thanksgiving holidays are being encouraged to be “early birds” this holiday season. The Airport is expecting more than 2.1 million passengers to travel through DFW during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, an increase of 2.6% over last year. And with DFW now surpassing the 60-million annual passenger mark for the first time since 2006, the Airport is gearing up to help make this busy travel season as easy as possible for travelers.

“At DFW, we work year round to create a great environment for passengers, and with over two million holiday travelers expected through DFW over the Thanksgiving holiday period, it's a great time to remind travelers of the amenities and services they can take advantage of when they arrive early,” said Sean Donohue, chief executive officer at DFW Airport. “Helping to make our passengers' overall experience as pleasant as possible is one of our goals, and arriving early, knowing what's available to you when you get here, we hope will be a great start to any holiday travel.”

Passengers traveling through DFW during the 2013 holidays will be treated to free domestic shipping as well as free gift-wrapping on gifts purchased at the Airport. Travelers purchasing a gift from a participating concessionaire through December 24 may have the gift shipped for free. In addition, free gift-wrapping will be offered for passengers inside Terminal D on purchases valued at USD 50 or more. The free gift-wrapping kiosk is located near gate D24 and will be open from 1 PM to 5 PM seven days a week, also through December 24.

New this holiday season, travelers also have more creature comforts awaiting them at DFW, including Thanks Again (www.thanksagain.com/dfw <http://www.thanksagain.com/dfw>), the customer rewards program that allows passengers to earn airline mileage rewards for purchases at the Airport. Also new this year is the Official DFW Mobile App, which gives customers the latest information and updates about flights, parking, shops, restaurants and airport services at their fingertips. The Official DFW Airport Mobile App is available as a free download at the iTunes App Store, Google's Android Play Store and BlackBerry App World.

For those passengers traveling through Terminal E, they will find a new security checkpoint experience at E18, called “The Next Level Experience.” Here wait times are automatically calculated and displayed on monitors, audio messages guide travelers through the screening process, and passengers also will see stylish decor, soothing wall art, vibrant lighting, relaxing ambient music and lounge seating to collect their belongings comfortably after the screening process. The pilot program will last through the holidays and is a partnership with SpringHill Suites by Marriott, SecurityPoint Media, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Motorists will find several changes on the roadways around DFW, including the newly completed DFW Connector highway project around DFW's north entrance and the Airport's new Parking Control Plazas. To help navigate those areas, DFW's website and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/dfwintlairport <http://www.youtube.com/dfwintlairport>) features a group of video clips with travel tips demonstrating DFW's new highway routes and ways to enter and exit the Airport parking plazas.

Highlighting the new concessions options available this year are Minute Suites and the American Express Centurion Lounge, both in Terminal D, as well as many new restaurants and shops in the newly renovated section of Terminal A between Gates A8 and A16.

These new features, combined with DFW's consistent ranking as one of the best airports in the world for customer service, promise to make a trip through Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport a highly enjoyable experience.

In an effort to provide passengers with a more pleasant travel experience, DFW Airport recommends the following travel tips:

1) Leave early: Give yourself plenty of time for unforeseen traffic or delays. With peak days and congestion expected on the weekends around Thanksgiving, travelers should plan to arrive at DFW Airport two-and-a-half hours early to ensure plenty of time to reach your departure gate.

2) Park at DFW: Utilizing DFW Airport's on-site parking is closer, faster and smarter for passengers originating from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. DFW has an increased number of parking plaza attendants, and Terminal Parking luggage porters for added ease. With Valet, Terminal, Express and Remote parking available, DFW has a choice for every traveler. You can also check for parking availability in real time on DFW's interactive mobile app.

3) Experience DFW's family-friendly and innovative amenities and services:

If you are traveling with children, leave time for one of DFW's five children's play areas located at A13, B12, C14, D10 and D33.

Another great diversion for children is DFW's Skylink people mover system, which offers outstanding elevated views of the Airport in a 20 minute round trip. Trains arrive every two minutes during daytime and evening hours.

DFW's LiveWell Walking Path offers an opportunity to get some light exercise while on the go. The Walking Path measures 7/10 of a mile and is aligned with DFW Airport's Art Program floor medallions, stretching between gates D6 and D40.

The DFW LiveWell Yoga Center (B1) and the Interfaith Chapels (B28, D21 and C4) serve as relaxing venues to relieve stress.

Charge mobile devices for free at our Power & Internet Stations, available throughout the Airport at gate waiting areas in each terminal.