Avelo Says McKinney Flights See Strong Demand as Vegas, Orlando Lead

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

McKINNEY, Texas — McKinney travelers appear ready to trade the drive south for a flight closer to home.

Avelo Airlines says early bookings from McKinney National Airport are strong, with Las Vegas and Orlando leading the way ahead of the airline’s November launch.

“Avelo has seen great demand from DTX, as you’d imagine, Las Vegas and Orlando are leading the way but all routes are looking positive,” Avelo Communications Manager Courtney Goff told TX3DNews.

Avelo will initially offer nonstop flights from McKinney to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando and Tampa. The airline has now opened bookings through April 20, 2027, covering spring break and late-spring travel.

Avelo did not provide specific booking numbers.

More destinations could be on the way

Avelo Head of Network and Revenue Trevor Yealy pointed to more destinations in the airline’s announcement Tuesday.

“We’ve extended Avelo’s McKinney flight schedule through April 20, 2027, so travelers have even more runway to lock in our affordable fares and start planning,” Yealy said. “Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend trip or that spring vacation you’ve been eyeing, we’re focused on making travel convenient and reliable so you can just show up and go.”

He then added, “Plus, keep an eye out for more popular destinations coming soon.”

Exactly where Avelo could fly next from McKinney remains under wraps.

“We’ll keep you posted on new routes and developments for Avelo at DTX,” Goff said. “We have teasers out but nothing to make public yet on new routes.”

Spring schedule extension is not specific to McKinney

While the airline says demand from McKinney has been strong, the decision to open bookings through April 20 was not made specifically because of the response to the new DTX service.

“The schedule extension is for our entire network, nothing specific to DTX except Customers can now book for their spring breaks and late-spring vacations,” Goff said.

Avelo is advertising one-way fares from McKinney starting at $79, although the lowest advertised fare is limited to certain routes and dates.

The $79 fare applies to travel between McKinney and Tampa beginning March 3, 2027, and between McKinney and Fort Myers beginning March 10. The fare must be booked by Sept. 9, and Avelo says seats and eligible travel days are limited.

The advertised fare includes government taxes and fees, but passengers can pay additional fees for carry-on and checked bags, assigned seats and other optional services. A $25 charge per seated passenger also applies to bookings or changes made through Avelo’s Customer Solutions Center.

Avelo prepares for November launch in McKinney

McKinney National Airport will become an operating base when service begins in November.

The carrier has built much of its network around smaller airports in major metropolitan areas, giving passengers an alternative to larger airports. Avelo says that approach can also save travelers time and money getting to and through an airport.

McKinney will be Avelo’s fifth operating base, joining locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida and North Carolina. The carrier currently operates 16 Boeing 737 aircraft and serves 37 destinations across 15 states and Puerto Rico.

The airline launched in April 2021 and says it has carried more than 10 million passengers on nearly 80,000 flights.

Commercial service from McKinney is scheduled to begin Nov. 11, when the airport’s new passenger terminal opens to the public. The first flight will be to Fort Myers, followed by Las Vegas and Orlando on Nov. 12 and Fort Lauderdale and Tampa on Nov. 19.

Flights to all five announced destinations from DTX are now available for booking through April 20, 2027.