What is the Wright Amendment of 1979?

Asked by: Deangelo White Sr.  |  Last update: June 13, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (35 votes)

The Wright Amendment of 1979 was a U.S. federal law restricting commercial flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to destinations outside Texas and its four neighboring states (Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico) to protect the new Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) from competition, especially from Southwest Airlines, which refused to move to DFW. It limited Love Field to smaller planes or short-haul flights, but was progressively loosened by amendments and fully repealed in 2014, allowing full nationwide service from DAL.

What was the Wright Amendment of 1979?

In 1979 the Wright Amendment was introduced to restrict commercial airline service out of Dallas Love Field to any city outside of Texas and its bordering states in order to reduce competition with the newly built Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) following the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

Why can't Dallas Love Field add more gates?

He says federal law already limits the number of gates at Love Field, so the upgrades proposed in the long-term plan will focus on maximizing efficiency.

Is the Wright Amendment still in effect?

Further amendments in 1997 and 2005 added new states and relaxed aircraft rules for longer range service. The law was partially repealed in 2006 and then fully repealed in 2014.

What is the Wright Amendment Reform Act?

Wright Amendment Reform Act of 2006 - Amends the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979, regarding air transportation to or from Love Field, Texas, (the Wright Amendment), to authorize domestic and foreign air carriers to offer for sale and to provide air transportation to or from Love Field, Texas, ...

Wright Amendment

24 related questions found

Why has the ERA not been ratified?

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) wasn't ratified by the 1982 deadline due to a successful conservative opposition movement led by Phyllis Schlafly, which argued it would disrupt traditional gender roles, lead to gender-neutral bathrooms, same-sex marriage, and women in combat, causing public support to wane and state ratifications to stall, falling three states short of the required 38. Though Virginia ratified it in 2020, making 38 states, legal challenges regarding the expired deadline and rescissions remain, preventing its official adoption. 

Why doesn't Southwest fly out of DFW?

Speculation about Southwest expanding to DFW has run rampant for years. The Dallas-based carrier is constrained at Dallas Love Field, where it operates 18 of the airport's 20 gates. A decades-old federal law, known as the Wright Amendment, required Southwest to give up gates at Love Field if it ever expanded to DFW.

What 5 states rescinded the Equal Rights Amendment?

By 1977, only 35 states had ratified the ERA. Though Congress voted to extend the ratification deadline by an additional three years, no new states signed on. Complicating matters further, lawmakers in five states — Nebraska, Tennessee, Idaho, Kentucky, and South Dakota — voted to rescind their earlier support.

What was the only amendment to be repealed?

Constitutional Amendments – Amendment 21 – “Repeal of Prohibition” Amendment Twenty-one to the Constitution was ratified on December 5, 1933. It repealed the previous Eighteenth Amendment which had established a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

Is Southwest leaving Love Field?

Southwest Airlines is finally preparing to break its Love Field exclusivity. Speaking in Dallas this October, CEO Bob Jordan told a local audience that the airline will fly from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Which new airport is coming in 2025?

In 2025, several significant airport developments occurred, including the grand opening of India's Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and major modernizations at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) with its new terminal opening, plus ongoing projects like expansion at JFK, new facilities at Tampa (TPA), and construction starting at Newark (EWR). Global highlights included Terminal 2 at Almaty International Airport winning "World's Best New Terminal".
 

What is the oldest airport in the USA?

The oldest continuously operating airport in the U.S. (and the world) is College Park Airport (KCGS) in Maryland, established in 1909 by the Wright Brothers for military pilot training, remaining active today with general aviation and home to the College Park Aviation Museum. It's known as the "Field of Firsts" for numerous aviation milestones, including the first military flights, first female passenger, and first controlled helicopter flights, all occurring shortly after its founding. 

What is the 10 minute rule for Southwest?

Southwest Airlines has two main "10-minute rules": one for canceling flights to retain travel funds (you must cancel at least 10 mins before departure to get a flight credit) and the historical 10-Minute Turn, an operational goal for rapid aircraft turnaround to maximize flights, crucial to their early success and efficiency. The cancellation rule ensures your booking value isn't lost to a "no-show," while the operational rule was a key innovation in their low-cost model, though modern turn times are longer but still efficient.

Did Johnson go to jail for burning the flag?

Activist Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted for burning an American flag during a protest outside the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, and was fined $2,000 and sentenced to one year in jail in accordance with Texas law.

Which president deregulated airlines?

An Act to amend the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, to encourage, develop, and attain an air transportation system which relies on competitive market forces to determine the quality, variety, and price of air services, and for other purposes. 1371 et seq. President Jimmy Carter signs the Airline Deregulation Act.

Why is part 7 removed?

Part VII of the Indian Constitution was repealed by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, because it dealt with "Part B States" (former princely states) that became redundant after the major States Reorganisation created a more uniform structure of only States and Union Territories, making the separate classification of Part B States obsolete.
 

How many times has the 25th amendment been invoked?

The 25th Amendment has been invoked a total of eight times: twice under Section 2 (to fill VP vacancies) and six times under Section 3 (temporary transfer of power during presidential disability, mainly for surgery). Section 4, which allows Congress and the Cabinet to remove a President, has never been used. 

What was the last state to end Prohibition?

For a time, 38 percent of Americans lived in areas with Prohibition. By 1966, however, all states had repealed their statewide prohibition laws, with Mississippi the last state to do so.

What is the Trump ERA amendment?

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would explicitly prohibit sex discrimination. It is not currently a part of the Constitution, though its ratification status has long been debated.

Who tried to stop the Equal Rights Amendment?

Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative activist, commentator, and author, led a successful campaign against the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s.

Which two states originally rejected the Constitution?

Two states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, refused to ratify the new plan of government. Those who opposed the adoption of the Constitution were known as the Antifederalists. Many feared centralized power.

What is Southwest's golden rule?

Southwest Airlines' Golden Rule is its core principle of treating employees, customers, and communities the way they want to be treated, fostering a culture of respect, hospitality, and doing the right thing, which extends from daily operations to community involvement and safety practices. It's about putting "People First," focusing on kindness, integrity, and making people feel valued and connected. 

What is the Love Field rule?

In 1979, the US Congress passed the mythical Wright Amendment which blocked airlines from using Love Field to fly anywhere but within Texas or to the four neighboring states. The idea was to support the use of Dallas/Fort Worth which opened five years earlier.