If you’re itching to get out of Dallas and explore somewhere new in 2026, I’ve done the homework to help make that trip way more affordable. Having flown to 45 U.S. states and 73 countries, I know how flight costs can make or break a travel plan. This time, I analyzed over 100 routes from Dallas’s main hubs—Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL)—and found the absolute best deals to get you packing your bags without second-guessing your budget.
These destinations made the cut based on fare averages, seasonal price trends, and airlines offering regular flights that keep costs down. From dreamy beaches and vibrant cities to adventure-filled landscapes, each spot has unique experiences that’ll give you plenty of bang for your buck.
So, if you’re ready to make 2026 your year of travel, here are the top seven cheapest places to fly to from Dallas. Let’s dive into where your travel budget will go the furthest!
Spirit Airlines Has Shut Down
Heads up if you were counting on those rock-bottom Spirit fares below: Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026 after a second bankruptcy and a failed rescue deal. That wipes out the sub-$80 base fares I quote on the Dallas to Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, and NYC routes, so price those on American, Delta, Frontier, or JetBlue instead. Here’s the reporting on the shutdown.
What’s New for Dallas Travelers in 2026
The airline landscape from DFW and DAL looks pretty different than it did 12 months ago, and a few of these shifts will directly affect how you book.
Southwest Airlines made its biggest changes in 50+ years. As of January 27, 2026, Southwest moved from open seating to assigned seating, added an eight-group boarding system, and rolled out new fare bundles. The two-free-checked-bags policy also ended for most customers (A-List elites and Rapid Rewards cardmembers still get free bags). If you’re a longtime Southwest loyalist out of DAL, the experience has shifted.
DFW keeps expanding internationally. American Airlines launched summer seasonal service from DFW to Athens (May 21, 2026), extended Buenos Aires into summer, and added DFW to Zurich, plus daily DFW to Tokyo Haneda starting March 29, 2026. Royal Jordanian also began four-weekly nonstops from DFW to Amman, Jordan in May 2026. These aren’t budget routes, but they create more connection options that often translate to better domestic pricing.
Considerations for finding the cheapest places to fly from Dallas
If you live in or near Dallas, Texas, there are countless affordable flights out of DFW to anywhere. And I do mean anywhere. For the list below, I limited myself to destinations in the continental US for one simple reason: I wanted specifically to highlight cheap flights from Dallas under $100. With that in mind, cheap international flights from Dallas are also available.
Wherever you want to go, chances are there is an affordable way to get there. The key is doing your homework. That means paying attention to the way airfare prices rise and fall from season to season. It means looking into which airlines offer the best deals. It means scouring multiple booking sites. And it means booking your flight at the right time, so that you’re taking advantage of early adopter discounts or last-minute cancellations.
It might seem like a lot of work, but it pays off. When you’re relaxing in the vacation hotspot of your dreams, and you know that you can stay a couple of days longer, or go somewhere a bit more expensive, or bring a few extra souvenirs home… yeah, it definitely pays off.
✈️ How I catch these DFW fares before they’re gone
Those sub-$100 roundtrips to New Orleans and Atlanta don’t sit around, so I let Going’s Premium plan ($49/year) ping my inbox the second Frontier or Southwest drops one out of Dallas. If you’d rather chase business class to Europe out of DFW, Elite covers those premium cabin fares too, and I’ve seen them land 40-60% below what Google Flights shows.
Try Going Elite free for 14 days — use code JON25 for 25% off if you keep it.
Cheapest places to fly from Dallas in 2026: Cheap destinations from DFW
From bustling metropolises to scenic national parks, it’s not hard to find cheap flights from DFW to anywhere… if you know where to look. You don’t have to pay top dollar to have a top-notch vacation. Below is a list of seven of the cheapest places to fly from Dallas right now:
✈️ How I Fly for a Fraction of the Price (Even Business Class)
Airfare keeps climbing, but I almost never pay full price. Going.com emails me roundtrips to Europe for under $350. With Elite, you’ll even see business class to Europe for ~$1,700 (deals you won’t find on Google Flights).
Planning a big trip? Elite members save up to $2,000 on a single international business-class ticket. I’ve seen nonstop biz to Scotland for $1,250.
👉 Try Going Elite free for 14 days. Cancel anytime, and use code JON25 for 25% off.
Just want the cheap economy deals? Start free in 10 seconds, no credit card required.
It’s the best money-saving tool I’ve used in 10+ years of travel.
👉 Try Going Elite free →1. Dallas to Atlanta, Georgia ($95-$220 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Delta, American, Frontier, Southwest (15+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March-May & September-November 🍂
- 🏆 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, food enthusiasts 🍗, history buffs 🏛️
Atlanta is where Southern hospitality meets big city energy. This sprawling metropolis has neighborhoods that feel like completely different cities, street art that will blow your mind, and food so good you’ll contemplate relocating permanently.
The BeltLine is this awesome urban trail that connects the coolest neighborhoods in the city where you’ll find locals jogging, biking, and hopping between breweries and food halls all day long. Little Five Points gives you those alternative vibes with vintage shops and dive bars where you might spot a famous rapper casually hanging out.
For the best deals from Dallas, book Delta if you want reliability since they basically own the Atlanta airport, but Frontier occasionally drops one-way fares under $80 if you can travel with just a backpack. April and October are perfect for visiting when you’ll get that ideal weather without melting in Georgia’s infamous summer humidity or dealing with everyone’s seasonal depression during the gray winter months.
- Read Next: Top 12 Hidden Gems in Atlanta
2. Dallas to New Orleans, Louisiana ($60-$180 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American, Frontier, Southwest (10+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February-May & October-November 🎭
- 🏆 Perfect for: Food lovers 🍤, music enthusiasts 🎺, party seekers 🍹
New Orleans is basically a vibe you can’t find anywhere else in America. This city operates on its own frequency with incredible food, live music pouring from every doorway, and an attitude that celebrates life at full volume.
The French Quarter is obviously where tourists flock with its iconic balconies and non-stop party scene on Bourbon Street, but the real magic happens in neighborhoods like the Marigny where locals pack into tiny jazz clubs to watch world-class musicians jam until sunrise. Magazine Street offers six miles of shops, restaurants, and bars without the tourist crowds
Getting here couldn’t be easier with a quick 90-minute flight from Dallas making it perfect for spontaneous weekend trips. Frontier offers those dirt-cheap base fares that sometimes dip below $60 roundtrip, while Southwest gives you a roomier ride. Time you visit within February through April when the weather is perfect and you might catch Mardi Gras parades or festivals happening literally every weekend.
3. Dallas to Chicago, Illinois ($110-$240 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American, United, Frontier, Southwest (15+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October 🌆 for outdoor activities and lake fun
- 🏆 Perfect for: Architecture fans 🏙️, food lovers 🍕, big city explorers 🚶
Chicago is that perfect mix of big city energy with Midwest friendliness. This place serves up world-class everything from architecture to food without the attitude or prices you’d find in coastal cities.
Millennium Park is home to the famous Bean (officially called Cloud Gate but literally no one calls it that) where you’ll definitely take the same tourist selfie as everyone else, while the Riverwalk offers that perfect urban escape with bars, restaurants, and boat tours along the water. The food scene here is insane with deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s starting endless debates among locals about which is better. For the best views in America, head up to the Willis Tower Skydeck or step out onto the glass ledge at 360 CHICAGO where you can see four states on a clear day.
Scoring cheap flights on this route is ridiculously easy with airlines constantly battling for your business. American and United both hub out of Chicago offering tons of daily options, while Frontier still drops one-way fares into the $70-$90 range during off-peak windows. Summer brings perfect weather for architecture boat tours on the Chicago River or beach days along Lake Michigan.
- Read Next: Chicago’s 12 Best Things to Do
4. Dallas to New York City, New York ($140-$300 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier (20+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April-June & September-October 🍂
- 🏆 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, culture seekers 🎭, shopping enthusiasts 🛍️
New York City is basically sensory overload in the best possible way. This iconic metropolis hits you with endless energy, diverse neighborhoods, and that distinct feeling that you’re walking through movie sets at every turn.
Central Park gives you that perfect escape from concrete jungle madness with 843 acres of paths, ponds, and green space surrounded by skyscrapers, while neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Williamsburg offer completely different vibes just a subway ride apart. The food scene is unmatched from $1 pizza slices that somehow taste amazing at 2 AM to Michelin-starred restaurants where you’ll drop your entire paycheck but think it was totally worth it.
May and September is the perfect walking weather without the summer tourist hordes or winter freeze. Dallas is absolutely packed with flight options making it one of the easiest big city escapes, one of them is JetBlue which typically offers the best overall experience with free WiFi and more legroom, while Frontier battles for the budget crowd with occasional fare sales near $130 roundtrip.
5. Dallas to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ($130-$280 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest (1x daily from DAL) (8+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April-June & September-October 🍂
- 🏆 Perfect for: History enthusiasts 🏛️, food lovers 🥪, city explorers 🏙️
Philadelphia is where American history meets epic food scene meets underrated coolness. This city packs serious personality with neighborhoods that each feel like their own little world.
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are the obvious tourist spots, but the real Philly is in places like Reading Terminal Market where you can sample everything from Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods to authentic cheesesteaks under one roof. Meanwhile, Fishtown has transformed from working-class neighborhood to hipster haven with craft breweries, indie music venues, and amazing restaurants lining streets still dotted with old row houses.
Spring and fall bring perfect temperatures for exploring this super walkable city without the summer humidity that can make the air feel like soup. Flying into Philly couldn’t be more convenient with American Airlines using it as a major hub offering tons of direct flights from Dallas. Watch for flash sales from Frontier, which can drop prices to around $130 roundtrip if you can travel light and don’t mind basic service.
- Read Next: 12 Mind-Blowing Places in Philadelphia
6. Dallas to Phoenix, Arizona ($140-$280 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American, Southwest, Frontier (12+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: October-April 🌵 for perfect desert temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Outdoor enthusiasts 🥾, golf lovers 🏌️♂️, sun seekers ☀️
Phoenix is basically where Texans go when they want even more sun and heat. This sprawling desert playground offers stunning mountain views, incredible outdoor activities, and that dry heat that actually makes 90 degrees feel pleasant.
Camelback Mountain towers over the city with hiking trails ranging from casual to “why did I think this was a good idea” levels of difficulty, all offering killer views of the entire valley. Old Town Scottsdale is the perfect spot for upscale shopping, gallery hopping, and patio dining where people-watching is an Olympic sport.
The food scene here has exploded beyond typical Southwestern fare with trendy restaurants and craft cocktail bars popping up in converted warehouses and historic buildings throughout downtown and the arts district. Desert dwellers know the secret to visiting Phoenix is timing everything around avoiding summer when temperatures regularly hit 115°F.
- Read Next: 13 Unique Things to Do in Phoenix
7. Dallas to Denver, Colorado ($120-$260 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: United, American, Frontier, Southwest (15+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October 🏔️ for outdoor adventures and April for skiing deals ⛷️
- 🏆 Perfect for: Mountain lovers 🏔️, craft beer enthusiasts 🍺, outdoor adventurers 🥾
Denver is where mountain vibes meet city life. This mile-high playground sits right at the base of the Rockies with amazing weather, outdoor activities for days, and a downtown scene that’s seriously blown up in recent years.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is this incredible outdoor concert venue carved into massive red rock formations just 15 minutes from downtown, while neighborhoods like RiNo (River North Art District) are packed with street art, breweries, and food halls in converted warehouses. For the best mountain views without leaving the city, hit up Lookout Mountain or the rooftop bars downtown where you can sip local beers while staring at snow-capped peaks.
The flight scene from Dallas to Denver is ridiculously competitive with airlines constantly undercutting each other on price. Frontier calls Denver home and often has rock-bottom fares if you can travel light, while Southwest offers slightly higher prices and a comfier experience, though checking that ski gear now costs extra unless you have elite status or a Southwest card. Late spring through early fall brings perfect hiking weather, while winter visitors can hit world-class ski resorts within two hours of the airport.
- Read Next: 7 Awesome Cheap Places to Fly From Denver
- Follow Along: @global.viewpoint
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
