window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-MSE92GG5GG');

6 Business Travel Tips: Dallas

22 March 2022  |  Destination Tips

Traveling to Dallas for work? Then this article is for you! 

It’s jam packed full of business travel tips and tricks for Dallas, Texas. You’re going to want to make note of these! And there are tonnes of recommendations for those of you staying in Downtown Dallas, the Central Business District. As well as insights into flights, transportation, entry requirements, and staying safe.  

First off, let’s discuss the weather. Let’s face it, it’s the first thing we Brits like to talk about. During June, July, and August the average high in Dallas is above 90 degrees, and winter days often hover in the high 50s and low 60s.

Dallas is the third largest city in Texas with 1.3 million residents, and is considered one of the country’s top urban destinations for business and residential relocation. The top industries are financial and technology, and in the Fort Worth area, one of the major players is aviation and aerospace. In fact, Dallas Fort Worth is home to both American Airlines, and the Southwest Airlines headquarters. Perfect if you’re heading to MRO Americas! 

Right, let’s started with the Dallas travel tips, first of we’re looking at accommodation.

Tip 1. Accommodation

It’s important to check out the area of your office / conference center as they’re often not located in the liveliest of areas. If you plan on networking or entertaining in the evening, then it might be best to look for accommodation in busier areas, to save you time and money on transportation each night.  

Downtown Dallas is known as the business district and is home to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCCD). This is one of the largest convention centers in the nation which welcomes over a million visitors each year. As this is a business travel article, we thought many of you reading this may be visiting the KBHCCD. So we’re going to discuss some accommodation options around this area. 

Business travel in Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

Don’t let its title business district put you off staying here, we can assure you there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and other attractions to keep you entertained in the evenings… or during an afternoon off if you’re lucky. 

The KBHCCD is located in the heart of downtown Dallas, and is about a 25 minute drive from the DFW Airport, and a 17 minute drive from Love Field Airport.

If you’re visiting the KBHCCD conference center, then you might want to consider staying at the Omni Dallas Hotel which is connected via skybridge, and is adjacent to two Vertiport landing pads. Just in case you’re lucky enough to be travelling via helicopter. Also convenient if you’re attending the (HAI) Heli-Expo. 

However because of the convenience, the price is considerably higher than alternative 4 star hotels. Today the price is coming in at £600 per night (on average).

Some popular 3.5 / 4 star hotels include: 

  • Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Dallas, 11 minute walk to KBHCCD – £300 per night
  • Hotel Indigo Dallas Downtown IHG, 15 minute walk to KBHCCD – £180 per night 
  • The Adolphus, 8 minute walk to KBHCCD – £250 per night 
  • Magnolia Dallas Downtown, 7 minute walk to KBHCCD – £250 per night

Heading to MRO Americas? 

Heading to MRO Americas in Dallas?

For those of you attending MRO Americas in April, this takes place in Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, so all of the information above is very relevant for you. Aviation Week Network advises attendees to stay in the vicinity of the Convention Centre, as it is located in the downtown area so near bars/restaurants. You can find their hotel guide here

If you need assistance booking your flights, then please feel free to get a quote from echo.bravo.

Tip 2. Evening entertainment and things to do if you have time

As we’ve mentioned already, Downtown Dallas might be the business district, but it’s also packed with eateries, bars, and evening entertainment. Here are a few highly recommended places to check out. 

One Eyed Penguin (Sports bar)in Dallas

One Eyed Penguin (Sports bar, photo above)

Dakota’s Steakhouse

Bullion (French cuisine)

Belse Restaurant (Vegan) 

Bourbon and Banter (Bar)

Midnight Rambler (Cocktail lounge) 

Check out other vegan eateries here

Be aware, when Dallas issued an order requiring all restaurants to close their dining rooms during the peak of COVID, many restaurants closed permanently, including the famous Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck. So if you’re planning on trying out a particular restaurant, be sure to do a quick google search to avoid disappointment. 

If you are staying at the Omni hotel, Visit Dallas has given the following in-house restaurants a recommendation: Bob’s Steak & Chop House, and Texas Spice. 

Other places to visit in Downtown Dallas include:

Dallas Farmers Market – The market is open daily and the Shed is open over the weekends only. Here you can find healthier and more sustainable restaurants and some retail shops. The Shed is where you can buy fresh produce for your weekly shop. Check out their full calendar of events here

Dallas Farmers Market in Downtown Dallas, the Central Business District

Reunion Tower – One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The Reunion Tower has an observation deck and the tower is part of the Hyatt Regency Hotel complex. Here you can get a bird’s eye view of Dallas from about £18 per person via Viator. 

Reunion Tower in Downtown Dallas, the central business district

The Arts District – Been cooped up indoors for work? Head to the walkable hub of creativity, spread over 20 square blocks. Filled with museums, performing art venues, and more bars and restaurants. This is the nation’s largest arts district. 

The Arts District - Dallas

Meyerson Symphony Center – Catch a show at one of the world’s greatest orchestra halls.

See more neighborhood highlights on Visit Dallas here

Tip 3. The flight

The following airlines operate direct flights between London and Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW), and the average direct flight time is 10 hours 13 minutes.

American Airlines

Finnair

British Airway

Aer Lingus

Gulf Air

Iberia

EL AL

Malaysia Airlines

Qatar Airways

You can fly on the Boeing 777 with British Airways, in club / business, where you’ll be treated to some of the finer things.

  • A spacious seat, which converts into a 79” fully flat bed 
  • Direct aisle access from every seat with a door for enhanced privacy
  • Bedding by The White Company, and amenity kits 
  • Access to private lounges 
  • Dedicated check-in desks and priority boarding

According to DFW Airport, British Airways will bring its Airbus A380 to DFW Airport for the first time starting March 2022. BA is planning to fly the superjumbo on daily routes from London (LHR) to Dallas and Fort Worth (DFW).

Dallas Fort Worth Airport, British Airways - Airbus A380 for business travel

Update: British Airways has postponed the introduction of the A380 to Dallas Fort Worth. Previously expected to take off in March, it will now start in July.

Tip 4. Transportation 

Dallas is pretty large so you’re likely to need a car to get around. If you’re travelling for work then it’s unlikely car hire is included in your trip, but there are many ways to get around. One is the DART, The Dallas Area Rapid Transit System, this is a huge train and bus system that will get you pretty much anywhere. 

DART transportation in Dallas

There is also a downtown trolly system and plenty of airport shuttles. Alternatively catch a ride with Lyft, Uber or a trusted taxi service. 

Tip 5. Entry requirements 

Covid

According to the US Embassy, all air passengers, regardless of vaccination or citizenship status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States.

There are currently no mandatory quarantine requirements for travellers entering Texas. However, the U.S. has just announced that they are extending the requirement of masks on all transport, including planes. The regulation was set to expire on March 19th but has now been extended to April 19th.

The CDC has also added a recommendation for people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.

If you’re flying from Heathrow, don’t forget face-coverings are no longer mandatory within the airpot. 

Visa

You will need to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). 

According to NNU Immigration, Provided you hold valid ESTA authorization, the following activities will be permissible for visa-free travel to the US: Attending business meetings. Consulting with business associates. Attending business convention, conference or trade show as a delegate

Tip 6. Staying Safe

Quite often when we’re travelling for work, we travel solo so It’s important to keep yourself safe. 

While this isn’t likely to impact you in any way whatsoever, It’s important to be aware that the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, and Texas is among the handful of states that can be impacted by tropical storms. 

The likelihood of being caught completely off guard by a hurricane is slim to none and you’ll likely know weeks in advance if your destination is threatened. 

Your travel manager will have early access to live FCDO government updates, which means your TMC can alert you before anything hits public news, allowing us to be reactive, keep you safe, and take the appropriate actions.

Tips to help keep you safe traveling solo:

  • Always use trusted taxi services
  • Be clued up on the country’s emergency number (911 for Dallas, Texas)
  • Be aware of the nearest pharmacy (the nearest one to KBHCCD is CVS pharmacy, which is located at 1411 Main, opposite the One Eyed Penguin)
  • Use apps such as Find My Friends and what3words if you’re ever alone
  • Be mindful of the country’s laws, culture and current political system

Other helpful numbers in Dallas include: https://dallaspolice.net/resource/helpfulNumbers

We hope this article has been helpful and insightful. Please be aware COVID restrictions are forever changing, and some information in this piece may be out of date by the time you read it. 

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. And don’t forget we have many other destination guides, see if your next destination is on the list.

Thank you for reading,

India | Marketing Executive | echo.bravo