As of October 20, 2026, the Avelo McKinney routes are scheduled to begin on November 11, 2026, giving Collin County its first commercial nonstop service from McKinney National Airport. Avelo announced the initial five-city launch on June 30, 2026, with service to Las Vegas and four Florida markets: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa, according to the airline’s launch release via PR Newswire. For travelers in northern Dallas-Fort Worth, the value of the plan is not just the route map. It is the prospect of using a smaller local airport, subject to the usual cautions around new-terminal openings, schedule changes and introductory fare restrictions.
What The Avelo McKinney routes Change For North Texas
Avelo McKinney routes And The DTX Code
McKinney National Airport will use the IATA code DTX for commercial service, while its former general-aviation FAA code is TKI. That distinction matters for travelers searching for flights, parking information, ride-hailing locations and confirmation emails. Once commercial service begins, tickets and passenger-facing operations are expected to use DTX, so travelers should avoid assuming that older references to TKI will appear in booking tools.
The new passenger terminal is scheduled to open for commercial service on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026. The City of McKinney says the terminal is 46,000 square feet, will open with four gates that can expand to six, and will include a 980-space public parking lot, food and beverage service, and ground transportation functions at the airport, according to the city’s airport announcement from McKinney, Texas. Those details are useful, but they do not remove the need to check the airport’s operating guidance close to departure. First-day and first-week commercial operations often involve new traffic patterns, newly trained staff and passenger behavior that has not yet settled into a predictable rhythm.
The First Five Markets
The initial network is heavily leisure-oriented. Las Vegas adds a western nonstop option, while the four Florida routes cover both theme-park and coastal markets. Fort Myers begins first on November 11, 2026. Las Vegas and Orlando follow on November 12, 2026. Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are scheduled to start on November 19, 2026.
| Destination | Airport | Scheduled Start Date | Announced Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Myers | RSW | November 11, 2026 | 2 times weekly, Wednesdays and Saturdays |
| Las Vegas | LAS | November 12, 2026 | 4 times weekly, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays |
| Orlando | MCO | November 12, 2026 | 5 times weekly |
| Tampa | TPA | November 19, 2026 | 4 times weekly |
| Fort Lauderdale | FLL | November 19, 2026 | 5 times weekly |
Launch Timing And Flight Frequencies
November Start Dates
The staggered start dates are important for trip planning. Travelers booking around Thanksgiving 2026 should not assume that all five destinations will be available from the first day of DTX passenger service. Fort Myers is the only route scheduled for November 11, 2026. Las Vegas and Orlando are scheduled for the next day, while Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are scheduled eight days after that.
Frequency also shapes the practical usefulness of each route. A five-times-weekly service gives more flexibility for short breaks and irregular work schedules than a twice-weekly route. Fort Myers, at two weekly flights, may suit longer stays or travelers with fixed Wednesday and Saturday availability. Las Vegas, at four weekly flights, and the Florida routes with four or five weekly flights create more options, but travelers should still compare departure days against hotel check-in dates, cruise departures and rental car pricing before committing.
December Expansion And Aircraft Base
Avelo later announced four further nonstop destinations from DTX on September 24, 2026. Denver and Atlanta are scheduled to begin on December 16, 2026, while Nashville and New Orleans are scheduled to begin on December 17, 2026. If operated as announced, that would raise DTX to nine nonstop destinations by mid-December 2026.
The airline’s plan also calls for basing aircraft at McKinney. The November launch involves two Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 184 seats each and more than 100 local jobs. By mid-December 2026, after the route expansion, Avelo has said it will base three Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft at DTX and create about 150 jobs across pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and airport staff. Those operational commitments are significant for a new commercial station, but travelers should still treat aircraft basing as a service plan rather than a guarantee against weather, maintenance delays or future schedule revisions.
Practical Booking And Airport Planning
Fare Fine Print
For planners, the Avelo McKinney routes came with an introductory fare message that needs careful reading. The $99 one-way fares cited in the September announcement were available for travel between December 1-17, 2026, and January 7-31, 2027, if booked by October 12, 2026. Because that booking deadline had already passed by October 20, 2026, readers should not rely on the $99 price as currently bookable. Current pricing, bag rules and seat-selection costs should be checked directly during purchase.
The introductory offer also referenced a free first checked bag. Travelers should verify whether that benefit applies to the specific fare being bought, the exact travel dates and any later booking conditions. This is especially relevant for Florida and Las Vegas trips, where checked luggage needs can differ sharply between a short weekend and a week-long resort stay.
Parking, Ground Transport, And Time Buffers
The airport’s 980-space public parking lot is a helpful starting point, but capacity alone does not answer every launch-period question. Travelers should confirm payment methods, drop-off rules and ground transportation procedures before departure day. If driving from Frisco, Plano, Allen, Prosper or northern Dallas, DTX may reduce distance compared with larger regional airports for some households, but that benefit depends on the exact origin point and time of day.
Opening-day travel deserves a wider buffer than a familiar airport routine. The terminal, parking flow and passenger screening process will be new to many users on November 11, 2026. Until consistent passenger reports and airport updates are available, conservative arrival timing is the most practical choice. Travelers using mobility assistance, traveling with small children or checking bags should pay close attention to airport and airline pre-departure notices.
Destination Planning From DTX
Florida Route Choices
The four Florida destinations should not be treated as interchangeable. Orlando is the clearest option for theme-park and central Florida travel. Fort Lauderdale can serve South Florida beach stays and cruise-related trips, depending on the traveler’s final port or hotel location. Tampa may work for the Gulf Coast side of central Florida, while Fort Myers is more relevant for southwest Florida travelers. Ground travel after arrival can be the deciding factor, so the flight that looks cheapest may not be the lowest-cost trip once airport transfers, rental cars and lodging location are included.
The twice-weekly Fort Myers schedule deserves special attention. A missed flight or changed plan could have a larger impact than on a route with five weekly departures. Travelers booking prepaid hotels, vacation rentals or cruise connections should compare the flight schedule against cancellation windows and same-day transport availability. That does not make the route impractical; it simply means the schedule has less room for error.
Leisure And City Pairs Beyond Florida
Las Vegas gives DTX an immediate western leisure route, while the December plan adds Denver, Atlanta, Nashville and New Orleans. Each has a different trip profile. Denver can support mountain and city travel, though winter weather and onward road conditions can matter in December and January. Atlanta is a large business and visitor market. Nashville and New Orleans are short-break destinations where hotel rates and event calendars can shift the total cost more than the airfare itself.
Travelers comparing regional airports should weigh DTX against Dallas Love Field and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport by total trip cost rather than airfare alone. Parking, ride-hailing distance, baggage fees, departure time, hotel location and schedule frequency can outweigh a lower base fare. For broader destination context within the same publishing network, readers can review related travel coverage at Baja Times, while using airline and airport sources for live schedule and booking details.
Avelo McKinney routes At DTX
The Avelo McKinney routes give Collin County a defined commercial-air-service plan rather than a general aviation-only identity. The launch is scheduled to begin on November 11, 2026, with Fort Myers, followed by Las Vegas and Orlando on November 12, and Tampa and Fort Lauderdale on November 19. A second wave in mid-December is planned for Denver, Atlanta, Nashville and New Orleans, bringing the announced DTX network to nine nonstop destinations if the schedule operates as stated.
The practical advice is straightforward: search using DTX, check the exact route start date, confirm the operating days, price bags and seats before payment, and allow extra time during the first weeks of terminal operations. McKinney’s new service may be a useful option for northern Dallas-Fort Worth travelers, but the best booking choice will depend on the full door-to-door cost and the reliability needs of each trip.