Lounge Review: Plaza Premium First Lounge - Dallas (DFW) Terminal D
During the Plaza Premium and Plaza Premium First lounge Grand Opening on April 14, 2026, I took some time to do a review. I will break the reviews into two parts: one for the Plaza Premium and the other on the Plaza Premium First location. Plaza Premium actually has three lounge locations at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), one in Terminal E and two in Terminal D, but for this review, I will focus on the Plaza Premium First Lounge.
Location and Access
The lounge is located in Terminal D, near Gate D15 (just inside the D18 TSA security checkpoint), and is open daily from 07:00 to 22:00 (10 PM). This is a common-use lounge, meaning it is open to all customers regardless of airline or class. To access the lounge, simply take the escalator or the elevator (located on the backside) to the lounge level on the mezzanine. Once at the top, you will see the reception desk. Both lounges share a common reception area for check in or assistance.
The lounge is not part of Priority Pass or Dragonpass, but they do offer an upgrade option from a Priority Pass (for $45 per person), and like other Plaza Premium locations, they offer day passes for those wanting to visit the lounge without a membership (I recommend you book online to avoid having to wait, but you can also walk up and purchase access without a reservation). Currently a day pass can be purchased for ~$125, which includes shower access (per person).
It's important to mention the 2-hours-from-departure rule, which is in place for both lounges. This rule is designed to control overcrowding and reduce dwell time but really can impact the experience since it is based on departure time, not boarding time. So customers must build enough time into their schedule for any lounge wait, plus time needed to get to their gate before departure. Note: passengers traveling with an airline partner (with a lounge invitation) may access the lounge up to 3 hours prior to departure, and visitors with confirmed online reservations may access the lounge during their reserved time.
Lounge Amenities
The lounge is mostly contained in a single room with the fully tendered bar on one side and the buffet/beverage area on the opposite wall. The decor features marble floors and tables, leather seating, warm lighting, and an overall greenish-gold color scheme. This full-service lounge offers upscale dining, large comfortable (accessible) restrooms, a shower, and a prayer room. There is also a free digital subscription to the New York Times offering 24-hour access to those who are visiting the lounge and flight monitors in the reception area showing updated flight information. There are no airfield views, but there are windows in the lounge that give nice views of Terminal D down below.
Seating and Work Areas
The seating in the lounge offers a handful of choices for customers. There is simple bar seating, full-size tables with seating for four, and many other table options for solo or multiple travelers to relax. The lounge also incorporated some Texas flair with cowboy hats and books featuring Texas places and people.
There is no dedicated business center, but there are tables, especially near the windows, where you can sit and work, and all the areas have USB-A, USB-C (fast charging), and A/C plugs. While I was there, I saw people working on their laptops and having meetings.
Food and Beverage
Food and beverage service is where the really shines. I don't often award five stars for both food and drink, but this lounge is deserving. There are two choices for dining: you can visit the buffet area or order à la carte at the table from a menu. While I was there, sampled both options—but I would definitely recommend table ordering. The lounge has done a great job accommodating diets, including vegan, vegetarian, halal, and non-vegetarian options. I arrived at the end of breakfast and saw their breakfast menu but did not sample any breakfast items.
Breakfast Buffet: Artisan Bakery including croissants, biscuits, apple fritters, blueberry muffins, and cranberry orange bread. Cold Bar including Greek yogurt with mixed berries, apple muesli, and matcha chia pudding. Hot & Savory, including French-style egg scramble, breakfast skillet potatoes, and chicken breakfast sausage.
All-Day Buffet: Artisan Bakery includes sweet dinner rolls, herb focaccia, naan, crackers, cookies, and brownies. The Garden includes a Mezze Platter (hummus, tzatziki, olives, and more), fattoush salad, edamame salad, and radish salad with many dressing and sauce choices. Hot & Savory includes Thai chickpea curry, jasmine rice, and miso congee, and Desserts include chocolate-dipped strawberries, tuxedo truffle cake, and matcha chia pudding.
The à la carte table ordering menu listed three appetizers, four mains, and two dessert options. I tried the gulf snapper and bread pudding, and they were amazing. I also made a plate from the cold buffet and had hummus, pita, some edamame salad, and a chocolate-dipped strawberry, which were all fresh and tasted great. I did not have a cocktail, but if I had, I would have likely tried the Holiday Mood. The bartender did mention that they have lots of mocktail options as well.
Unlike the (next-door) Plaza Premium Lounge, the bar has drink options for customers that are not limited or upcharged. They had four types of beer (on tap) and some nice Scotch, tequila, and wine choices. There was a self-serve espresso machine, drip coffee, and teas, as well as a full-service espresso machine behind the bar for those wanting barista-crafted beverages or an espresso martini. I did have a caffè macchiato from the bar, and it was perfect.
Restrooms and Showers
There are four private restrooms in the lounge, with two of them being accessible. Inside the restroom, there is a baby changing (diaper) station. The shower room is also a full restroom but is kept locked.
The shower room can be booked at the reception desk. I asked an employee if I could enter just to take some photos and was impressed with the size and amenities. I did notice that the room is accessible and has a pop-out bench in the shower for those who might need to sit while using the shower. The shower was stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and soap.
The shower room is very spacious, clean and has everything you might need, including a toilet, a bench, a hairdryer, a full sink area, and space to get dressed.
Internet, Noise, and Charging
The lounge provides internet access, and I was able to easily connect. The speed results were not very impressive. I ran two tests in different parts of the lounge, and the fastest of the tests was 16.6 Mbps (down) and 4.4 Mbps (up). The noise level was classified as “restaurant” (75.2 dB) over a 15-second window around 11:30 pm and was a little loud, but this was during the grand opening, so I imagine it's quieter on normal days. Charging ports were found throughout the lounge, and they provided USB-C fast charging.
Overall Rating: 4.4*
Pros: amazing food and staff, upscale decor and ambiance, à la carte table dining.
Cons: slow internet, some areas seem slightly cramped, 2-hour from departure rule, no airfield views, paid access is a bit pricey.
- Amenities: 4
- Food: 5
- Beverages: 5
- Seating, Tables, and Work Areas: 4
- Service: 5
- Wow-Factor: 3.5
* scored using Nerd Score 1.0
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Closing Thoughts
The Plaza Premium First lounge at DFW sets a new standard for airport luxury, transforming pre-flight time into an experience worth arriving early to enjoy. I really enjoyed my time in the lounge and look forward to visiting again.