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10 cheap flights to take out of Dallas-Fort Worth
Holiday travelers wearing face masks line to check in at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
AP
As the weather gets warmer and we inch closer to summer, you may be wondering where to take a break and visit a new destination.
But with everything getting more expensive, you may want to save on your summer holiday, so we’ve compiled the cheapest round-trip flights you can take out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
1. El Dorado, Arkansas: $81
When: Sat, Jul. 2 – Tue, Jul. 5
Flight Duration: 1h 50m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to South Arkansas Regional Airport
Airline: Southern / Mokulele
Buy tickets: kayak.com
If you’re a history buff, or just a fan of pretty buildings, you’ll love El Dorado. This charming town on the southern border of the state has a rich history as an oil “boom-town” of the 1920s. A resulting architectural boom is still reflected in the city’s restored downtown area, filled with beautifully renovated 1930s style buildings and many historic buildings on the National Register.
In the heart of El Dorado, located near the stately 1928 Union County Courthouse, you’ll find dozens of shops, stores, restaurants and nightlife options. Turn-of-the-century architecture and picturesque storefronts connect a mix of specialty shops that sell everything from antiques to art. Downtown is also home to Oil Heritage Park, which pays homage to the city’s history. The city is also home to the Murphy Arts District, a state-of-the art music, entertainment and restaurant complex. During the summer, you may be able to catch the popular “Showdown at Sunset” event.
The city is also home to cultural venues like the South Arkansas Arts Center, the South Arkansas Symphony and the Newton House Museum. Outdoor activities can be found at the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, Moro Bay State Park, and the South Arkansas Arboretum State Park. The nearby town of Smackover is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, where visitors can learn more about the South Arkansas oil boom.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana: $86
When: Tue, Jun. 28 – Wed, Jun. 29
Flight Duration: 1h 30m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Located at the mouth of the Mississippi, New Orleans is the home of jazz and blues, Cajun cooking, and the spectacular colors and parades of Mardi Gras. If you love a good time, the “Big Easy” is the best destination for you.
Spend your nights on Bourbon or Frenchmen streets hopping from bar to bar, catching some of America’s most talented musicians. Head to Treme to watch blues bands at local clubs, or watch street performers in Jackson Square
You can feast on the gourmet seafood at the Acme Oyster House, or head to Willie Mae’s Scotch House for some authentic southern soul food.
3. Denver, Colorado: $116
When: Tue, Jun. 28 – Wed, Jun. 29
Flight Duration: 2h 7m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Denver International Airport
Airline: Frontier
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Denver is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and a transit point for skiers and hikers.
You can go to downtown Denver and dine on Mexican food at d’Corazon (1530 Blake St), window shop for art and crafts products, and sit on Larimer Square with an artisan croissant and coffee.
Join the sports crowds at Empower Field at Mile High or dive into the massive range of boutiques at Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
You can always jump in a rental car and drive to some of the most beautiful spots in the country, like Alberta Falls, the Old Fall River Road, or the Trail Ridge Road.
4. Miami, Florida: $123
When: Tue, Jun. 21 – Wed, Jun. 22
Flight Duration: 3h 9m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Miami International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Miami is known as the “Magic City” because of its rapid growth, which was noticed by visitors who said that the city grew so much from one year to the next that it was like magic. Part of the magic is Miami’s role as a meeting point for different cultures.
Wherever you go, from the Art Deco condos of Miami Beach to the clubs of South Beach, Miami transports you to a world of glamour and decadence.
5. Pensacola, Florida: $133
When: Tue, May 31 – Thu, Jun. 2
Flight Duration: 1h 55m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Pensacola International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Pensacola is home to beautiful beaches, a bustling metropolitan community and rich cultural history.
Take a guided walking tour through Historic Pensacola Village to learn about the city’s story. Visit the downtown area with art galleries, restaurants and cultural venues. Pensacola’s beaches are also a must-see.
6. Harrison, Arkansas: $144
When: Thu, Jun. 23 – Thu, Jun. 30
Flight Duration: 2h 10m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Boone County Regional Airport
Airline: Southern / Mokulele
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Harrison is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Small Towns in America” with scenic canyons, hills, and rivers. Harrison was previously named one of the best retirement towns.
Whether you’re visiting one of the town’s many attractions, biking or hiking among the majestic mountains of the Ozarks and Buffalo National River, or strolling through Harrison’s downtown historic district, you’ll find this small town offers a variety of things to do.
For outdoor lovers, canoeing, fishing and hiking amid the limestone bluffs and serene scenery on Buffalo National River are popular activities. Bear Creek Trout Farm, where everyone catches something, is fun for families. Waterfalls like Hemmed-in-Hollow, Twin Falls and Hide-Out Hollow are easily accessible.
The Harrison Historic Walking Tour includes downtown parks, the historic Lyric Theater, the 1909 Boone County Jail, and the 1929 Hotel Seville. The historic downtown also has restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, and other retail shops. The area is also home to the Boone County Heritage Museum.
7. Phoenix, Arizona: $160
When: Sun, Jul. 3 – Mon, Jul. 4
Flight Duration: 2h 37m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Airline: Frontier
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Phoenix is America’s desert capital and offers plenty for lovers of the great outdoors. If you want sunshine, love hiking in beautiful rock formations, and hate the rain, it’s the ideal place to book a break.
Pack a picnic in Papago Park, try out water parks like Oasis or Wet’n’Wild, or test your golf skills at courses in Scottsdale. There are great museums you could visit like the Heard Museum or the Phoenix Art Museum.
Try gourmet food at Different Pointe of View and street food like the burritos from Filiberto’s.
8. Memphis, Tennessee: $161
When: Fri, Jul. 8 – Sun, Jul. 10
Flight Duration: 3h 45m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to South Arkansas Regional Airport to Memphis International Airport
Airline: Southern / Mokulele
Buy tickets: kayak.com
There’s the intoxicating smell of barbecue cooking, the architecture of mansions like Graceland, and the sound of rhythm and blues on Beale Street all night long. If you love music, food, and history, Memphis is the place for you.
If you’re an Elvis Presley fan, make the pilgrimage to Graceland, the King’s mansion, where you can see where hits like Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel were recorded at Sun Studios.
9. Clovis, New Mexico: $164
When: Fri, Jul. 1 – Sun, Jul. 3
Flight Duration: 1h 22m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Clovis Regional Airport
Airline: Denver Air Connection
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Clovis is a family-friendly area rich in rock and roll history. It’s history is rooted in music, agriculture and community.
Clovis is known for events including rodeos, firework spectaculars, cultural art series performances, Cannon Air Force Base partnership events and the Clovis Music Festival.
10. San Diego, California: $192
When: Sat, Jun. 18 – Tue, Jun. 21
Flight Duration: 6h 45m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport to San Diego International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines, Frontier
Buy tickets: kayak.com
This Southern Californian city offers a unique blend of beach culture and modern urban life, making it a fantastic place to visit. If you love outdoor living, history, and dining out, San Diego is a great place to visit.
It’s almost always sunny in San Diego, and there are beaches like La Jolla Cove and Mission Beach that have surfing and safe swimming conditions for the whole family to enjoy.
In town, there’s San Diego Zoo, one of the best in the world, historical sights like the USS Midway and Balboa Park, a park that’s filled with museums and gardens. If you enjoy food and entertainment, the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego is the place to be.
Book your summer flight early
If you plan to travel this spring or summer, you may want to book as soon as possible.
As COVID numbers decline around the country, Americans will likely be traveling more this summer. So it’s best to book your flight now. The sooner you book, the better the price is going to be.
“Especially for spring and summer, anybody that’s wanting to make a travel plan, I would highly recommend they do so now just because the demand is still going to be there, even if there’s a reduced flight capacity,” says Andrea Ballard, a Sanders Travel Centre travel advisor.
The general rule: book a domestic flight one to three months in advance, and an international flight two to eight months in advance, according to Scott’s Cheap Flights.
Research the best, cheapest airfares
This step takes a little bit more patience. Set alerts for the route you want and sign up for newsletters so you can track cheap fares. Shop around online daily for the best deal on multiple websites.
Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air tend to have the cheapest fares, while American, Southwest and United are a little bit less predictable.
According to travel booking site Skyscanner, the lowest airfares are available earlier in the week, and the highest prices are offered later in the week. Flight prices tend to drop the most on Tuesday mornings.
These are some of the best websites and apps to find cheaper flights:
If you come across a cheaper flight after you book, you can still rebook since major airlines have dropped change fees on most tickets and you can receive credit for the fare difference.
Change your departure date
Adjusting your arrival and/or departure dates, when demand is lower, will also help.
Try to travel mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday), which is cheaper than the weekend. Take early-morning or late-night flights.
Avoid flying on Monday, Friday or Sunday. If you’re planning on traveling on a long weekend, try to take an extra day off work so that you can fly on a less busy day. For instance, instead of leaving on Friday, leave on Saturday. And instead of coming back Monday, make it Tuesday.
Earlier in the summer, right when the kids get off school in May or early June, is usually a better time to travel than late June or early July. People usually wait a couple of weeks into summer break for travel plans. If you plan to travel during a peak period, like in the middle of the summer, you’ll have to book further in advance.
This story was originally published May 27, 2022 5:47 PM.

Half-term travel: EasyJet and Tui cancel flights as queues form at Dover – BBC
SWISS offers new pre-selection meal option for Business Class travellers on long-haul flights – Breaking Travel News
The Iberia Group will operate 53 flights to Paris for the Champions League final – Breaking Travel News

Travel chaos: Simon Calder explains passenger rights for flights cancellations | Travel News | Travel
The half term holidays are supposed to be relaxing but may actually cause stress for families whose flights are cancelled. Simon Calder told the BBC what travellers can do if they find themselves in this position.
BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt asked: “If you’re one of those people whose flights have been cancelled, just go through their rights.”
Simon explained: “When you get the cancellation message from the airline, it says ’sorry, we’ve cancelled your flight, here’s what you can do, you can get a refund’ – for most people they want their holiday, not a refund.
“Or you can rebook – they say go through to the app or website, that is of course, only going to delivery EasyJet flights.”
“I was talking to someone who’s Madeira flight was cancelled and they rebooked for Monday, as it was the only one, the presenter said.
READ MORE: Suitcase packing hacks: Items dubbed the ‘biggest waste of space’
“No, that’s not correct,” the travel expert stated.
“The airline that cancels a flight has to get you to your destination on the day you were supposed to get there.
“If that means they have to spend hundreds of pounds paying for a flight on British Airways, Ryanair or Jet2, that’s what they have to do.
“It’s the law,” Simon said. “So you can rebook on other airlines.
DON’T MISS
“The other thing which airlines quite often forget to remind you, if they cancel a flight with less than two weeks notice, they have to pay you compensation.
“£220 for shorter flights, anything over 1500km in Europe or North Africa, is £350, those are your legal entitlements.”
This means that half-term holidayers will not be left in the lurch.
It comes after Gatwick has experienced several flight cancellations.
“Very, very busy, crucially an awful lot of cancellations.
“Easyjet now 28 cancellations, two and from Gatwick, they decided to cancel 240 flights pre-emptively, between now and Monday week, simply because they were getting so many on the day cancellations.
“So therefore people were told ‘Going to Seville, going to Marrakesh, those flights have all been cancelled, and I’m afraid we’ve still got more cancellations today; Porto in Portugal and Milan they’ve just dropped off the schedules.
“Not just EasyJet, TUI has just cancelled the flight to Minorca from Gatwick, and said ‘sorry your holiday is off.’”

British Airways set to resume flights to Pittsburgh
British Airways is continuing to rebuild its transatlantic network with flights from London to Pittsburgh due to resume on 3 June.
The airline will fly from London Heathrow to Pittsburgh International airport four times per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ director of networks and alliances, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, offering the only direct route to and from London.”
British Airways’ summer 2022 transatlantic schedule will see the UK airline flying to 26 cities across the US.

TSA offers summer travel tips as flights tick up to pre-pandemic levels
The amount of people seeking flights this summer is heading
toward pre-pandemic levels – and the Transportation Security Administration has
some tips to make those plan as smooth as possible.
Official who spoke at a news conference at John F. Kennedy
International Airport said the current air travel levels are about 85-90% what
they were in 2019.
They expect to be at 100% by the middle of the summer.
- Face
masks are optional but recommended. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends face masks for passengers aged 2 and older in indoor
areas of public transportation and transportation hubs as an effective
precaution for those who seek to avoid exposure to COVID in higher risk
public spaces.
- Pack
smart; start with empty bags. Airline passengers who pack for travel with
empty bags are less likely to bring prohibited items through a TSA
checkpoint. Technology and modifications help reduce the need for physical
contact with TSA officers, but those who take time to come prepared for
the TSA checkpoint are far more likely to avoid delay and physical
contact.
- Know
before you go. Airports, like highways, have high traffic surges and
construction delays. Plan to arrive at the airport in plenty of time to
check in, check bags and complete security screening in time to avoid
stressful sprints to the departure gate. At the TSA checkpoint, have a
valid ID card readily available and follow the liquids rule of 3.4 ounces
or less, with the exception of hand sanitizer, which has a temporary
12-ounce limit in carry-on baggage.
- Contact
TSA for help if there are questions or concerns. Those who are preparing
to travel and may have special circumstances, considerations or general
questions about airport screening can get live assistance by tweeting
questions and comments to @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger, daily from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at
866-289-9673.
- TSA
also offers TSA Cares, a helpline for travelers with disabilities, medical
conditions and other special circumstances. You may submit a request for
assistance by calling TSA Cares at 855-787-2227, weekdays from 8 a.m. to
11 p.m. and weekends/holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passengers may also
use the TSA Cares form available on the TSA website which can be found at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support.
- Enroll
in TSA PreCheck to “travel with ease.” By enrolling in TSA PreCheck,
airline passengers can avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, food, laptops
and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint.
Summer Travel Tips On How to Book Cheaper Flights
Summer is all but here, with hot weather right around the corner. The rising temperatures will also mark an increase in flight prices according to travel experts. Expedia wants to help you find the best flight prices out there, and has compiled a pretty extensive playbook of tips to do so.
“People are ready to make their summer vacations happen no matter what,” said Christie Hudson, senior public relations manager for Expedia, in a press release.”With many travel restrictions easing over the past month, travelers have been inspired to dust off their bucket lists and get a jumpstart on planning. Prices are already reflecting that pent-up demand, so timing is going to be key for getting the best deal.”
The first thing to know is where the most sought after destinations will be. According to recent spikes in searches on Expedia, beach destinations like Bar Harbor, Bali, Maldives, Santorini, and Los Angeles are popular. Major US cities also seem to be trending, like Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., Austin, and New York City. The third pillar of popular destinations are international cities like Singapore, Stockholm, Ontario, Berlin, and Dubai. So if any of these locations were on your vision board for your summer vacation, you’ll want to plan carefully to avoid price gouging.
While location obviously will play a huge role in the cost of flights, so will your timing. Expedia predicts that August will be the cheapest month to fly, with the average cost of a ticket dropping by 10% compared to July’s prices. These findings are similar to figures that Hopper released about summer flight prices. The most expensive day of the summer to fly is July 1, when tickets are an average of 25% higher.
Like most times of the year, weekday flights are typically lower priced than weekend flights. This summer, the cheapest average ticket prices are on Tuesday and the most expensive will be on Friday. Last minute deals will be harder to find this summer, so it’s also best to book as far ahead as you can.
“When viable, travelers should remain flexible with their travel dates,” Expedia’s travel experts shared. “For instance, choosing a weekday over a weekend or avoiding traveling over the holidays can yield savings. Use fare calendars and create price alerts to track pricing and snag a deal.”
Finally, to give you a shortcut to finding some low cost destinations, Expedia also produced a list of destinations that often have round trip flights for around $350 this summer. Those cities are:
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Toronto, Ontario
- Tampa, Florida
- San Antonio, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- Austin, Texas
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Kelowna, British Columbia
- Nashville, Tennessee
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Charleston, South Carolina
Not sure if your airport will be included in the deals? Thrillist has highlighted the cheapest airports to fly out of for domestic travel. With all this information, hopefully you’ll be able to get where you are going this summer without spending a fortune. Just be prepared for larger crowds this summer wherever you go, as a record number of travelers are expected to be out and about. Remember: travel safe, travel smart, and get creative with your summer destinations.

Avoid being stuck in airport queues ahead of holiday flights with these top tips
Up to two thirds of Europe’s airports expect an increase in flight delays this summer adding to the usual travel stresses for holidaymakers. According to research by airports association ACI Europe, most passengers expect disruption, owning to a combination of high demand and staff shortages.
Already this week, passengers were forced to queue for hours at Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol airports, with some even missing their flights. It’s a situation that’s likely to be mirrored across the UK and Ireland in coming months.
But while some airports have advised passengers to arrive hours ahead of their scheduled departure, others have warned against overcrowding. sparked by early-bird travellers hanging around terminals awaiting check-ins to open.
Here are the advantages and setbacks of arriving early.
Will anyone be available to check you in?
Anxious flyers have always been advocates of early airport arrival. Having a few hours to spare certainly eases stress levels and allows for mishaps along the way.
However, most airline desks won’t be open until three hours before flight departure at the earliest – although each carrier operates a different policy, so it’s worth checking. Passengers could end up sitting – or standing – around for a very long time, which may result in more stress before even reaching security.
Do you have hold luggage?
Anyone dropping baggage should be prepared for additional queues, so this needs to be factored into travel schedules. Virgin Atlantic says the quietest check-in times at London’s Heathrow are between 3pm and 5pm. At Birmingham Airport, the biggest queues are early in the morning with thousands of travellers hustling to board flights that take-off before breakfast time.
However, if you opt for cabin bags only, it’s possible to head straight through to security and beat the queues. To avoid delays, just make sure all liquids are under 100ml, pockets are empty and all laptops and iPads can be easily removed.
Remember to check in online before reaching the airport, and have boarding passes either printed or easily accessible on a phone.
What type of ticket have you booked?
Those who pay more will always be front of the line. British Airways, for example, allows passengers travelling in First or Business to check in luggage from 5am on the day of departure.
However, unless passengers have forked out extra for VIP lounge access, they could be left with a lot of spare time to spend in expensive airport restaurants.
Most airlines and airports recommend arriving three hours in advance of a flight. Go too early and there’s a risk of a log-jam with passengers who have not yet departed on earlier flights.
So, for those only travelling with hand luggage, should keep to the usual two hours. If you’re putting cases in the hold, arrive with three hours to spare.