Avelo McKinney flights: four new routes from DTX

Avelo Airlines plans four more nonstop routes from McKinney National Airport in December 2026. Flights to Denver and Atlanta are scheduled to begin on December 16, followed by New Orleans and Nashville on December 17.

These are announced and bookable future services, not routes already operating. McKinney's first scheduled passenger flights are due to start on November 11, when the airport's new terminal is also expected to open. Travelers booking the December routes should keep both the flight and airport-opening milestones on their checklists.

*Original OpenSim editorial illustration. The unbranded aircraft, terminal and destination scenes are symbolic and do not depict an operating flight or the finished DTX terminal.*

The four planned routes and operating days

Avelo's September 24 announcement gives start dates and weekly frequencies for all four routes:

The airline has not published flight numbers or a complete timetable in the announcement. Use the booking record for the exact departure and arrival times. A launch date or operating day can also change before the first flight, so check the reservation again before arranging parking, a hotel or a separate connection.

DTX passenger service has not opened yet

McKinney National Airport has handled general aviation for decades, but scheduled passenger service is new. The City of McKinney says the first Avelo flights and public opening of the new passenger terminal are planned for November 11, 2026.

The city's current construction update still labels the commercial terminal as in progress, with anticipated completion in November. That does not mean the December flights are off schedule. It does mean travelers should not treat an unfinished construction page as proof that the airport is already open for passenger departures.

The city describes a 46,000-square-foot terminal at 1910 FM 546 with four initial gates, a 980-space public parking lot, onsite car rental and ground transportation services. Parking prices, final passenger access instructions and the exact services available on opening day were not posted on the pages reviewed for this guide. Check the airport's current instructions before driving there.

DTX and TKI refer to the same airport in different systems

Use DTX when searching for commercial airline tickets. The city says DTX will appear on booking sites, boarding passes, baggage tags and itinerary emails for the new passenger service.

TKI remains the airport's FAA identifier for general aviation operations. A traveler searching only for TKI may see pilot or private-aircraft information rather than the passenger itinerary. Confirm that the booking says McKinney National Airport and DTX, especially when comparing it with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport or Dallas Love Field.

A twice-weekly route changes the recovery plan

New Orleans and Nashville are planned only on Thursday and Sunday. If a flight is canceled, the same nonstop may not operate again for several days. Denver and Atlanta offer four weekly departures, but they still do not provide a daily recovery option.

Before buying a fixed hotel, event ticket or separate onward flight, check what the next acceptable itinerary would be. Compare the cost of a refundable booking with the possible cost of reaching another North Texas airport. A low fare can still be a poor fit when the trip cannot absorb a multi-day schedule gap.

Avelo operates point-to-point service. Do not assume two separately booked flights form a protected connection, even if both are sold by Avelo. If the first flight is late, the second booking may not move automatically, and checked baggage may need to be collected and checked again.

The advertised bag offer has a booking deadline

The launch announcement advertises one-way fares from US$99 and a free first checked bag, but both offers have limits. The US$99 fare is restricted to stated travel periods and must be purchased by October 12, 2026. The free first checked bag applies only to qualifying DTX bookings purchased by the same deadline, with travel completed by January 31, 2027, and the bag purchased online.

Do not read the headline as a permanent baggage policy. Outside the promotion, the fare shown for a specific trip controls. Avelo's optional-services page says each traveler gets one free personal item measuring up to 17 x 13 x 9 inches. An overhead-bin carry-on and a checked bag normally cost extra unless the booking or another valid benefit says otherwise.

Check in online and protect the airport cutoff

Avelo's online check-in guide says check-in opens 24 hours before departure and should be completed at least 40 minutes before the flight. Its boarding guide recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before departure. Boarding begins 45 minutes before departure, the ticket counter closes 40 minutes before departure, and passengers must be onboard 15 minutes before departure.

For an airport beginning commercial service, 90 minutes should be treated as the airline's minimum recommendation, not a guarantee that every opening-period journey will take the same time. Recheck the DTX airport page for current access, parking and security guidance in the week before travel. Save the boarding pass offline and keep the phone charged.

Mobile data for McKinney and the wider trip

International visitors can compare current OpenSim plans for the United States. The public catalog returned 37 United States packages when checked on September 26, with fixed and daily allowances and plan-specific top-up eligibility.

For an itinerary that also includes Canada or Mexico, compare the live country list on the North America OpenSim page. Wider coverage is useful only when it matches the rest of the trip. Network, speed, hotspot support, activation and top-up terms vary by package, and not every package is reloadable.

Install on reliable Wi-Fi before departure and follow the selected package's activation instructions. An OpenSim plan supplies ground mobile data. It does not provide inflight Wi-Fi, protect a separate ticket or extend an airline's schedule.

Ten questions about Avelo McKinney flights

Have the four new Avelo routes started?

No. Denver and Atlanta are planned to begin on December 16, 2026. New Orleans and Nashville are planned to begin on December 17. McKinney's first scheduled passenger service is expected to start on November 11.

When will Avelo fly from McKinney to Denver and Atlanta?

Both routes are scheduled to start on Wednesday, December 16. Avelo plans service on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Check the selected date in the booking system because the announcement does not include complete departure times.

When will Avelo fly from McKinney to New Orleans and Nashville?

Both routes are scheduled to start on Thursday, December 17. Avelo plans service on Thursday and Sunday, making them twice-weekly rather than daily routes.

Is DTX the same airport as TKI?

Yes, but the codes serve different purposes. DTX is the commercial passenger code travelers should use for bookings. TKI remains the FAA identifier used for the airport's general aviation operations.

Is the McKinney passenger terminal open now?

No. The city still lists the commercial terminal as under construction and anticipates completion in November 2026. Its public opening is planned alongside Avelo's first DTX passenger flights on November 11.

Where should I park at DTX?

The city says the new terminal will have a 980-space public parking lot at 1910 FM 546. The reviewed airport pages did not yet publish final passenger parking rates or opening-day access instructions. Check the airport's current guidance before leaving home.

Is the first checked bag always free on Avelo's DTX flights?

No. The launch promotion applies only to qualifying DTX bookings purchased online by October 12, 2026, with travel completed by January 31, 2027. Read the baggage line in the actual reservation rather than relying on the announcement headline.

What bag is included without an extra charge?

Avelo currently includes one personal item up to 17 x 13 x 9 inches that fits under the seat. An overhead carry-on and checked baggage normally cost extra unless a fare, promotion or other valid benefit includes them.

How early should I arrive for an Avelo flight at DTX?

Avelo recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before a domestic departure. Complete check-in and bag drop before the 40-minute cutoff and be onboard at least 15 minutes before departure. Check DTX's opening-period advice as well.

Should I book a separate connection after a DTX flight?

Only with enough time and a plan for disruption. Separate tickets are not automatically a protected connection, and the DTX routes do not operate daily. Price a long buffer or overnight stay against the consequences of missing the next booking.

A final check before booking from McKinney

Confirm that the itinerary says DTX, not DFW or DAL. Then verify the route's start date, operating day, exact local time, baggage line and current DTX terminal guidance. For New Orleans or Nashville, decide whether a twice-weekly schedule can support the trip if plans change. For any separate connection, make the recovery plan before paying rather than after a disruption.

*Route, airport, baggage, check-in and OpenSim product details were checked on September 26, 2026. Update this guide if a launch date, operating day, timetable, terminal opening, parking instruction, baggage offer or route status changes.*