Avelo Airlines is expanding its planned presence at McKinney National Airport with four new nonstop destinations and a third aircraft based at the Collin County airport.
The airline announced Thursday that service to Denver, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Nashville will begin in December, expanding Avelo’s McKinney network to nine destinations before commercial passenger service at the airport begins.
Introductory one-way fares on the new routes start at $99, including government taxes and fees. Avelo is also offering a promotional first checked bag at no charge for qualifying McKinney bookings made by October 12, subject to the airline’s terms and travel-date restrictions.
New Flights Begin In December
According to Avelo’s route announcement, the new flights will operate on the following schedules:
- Denver: Service begins December 16, with flights four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
- Atlanta: Service begins December 16, with flights four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
- New Orleans: Service begins December 17, with flights twice weekly on Thursday and Sunday.
- Nashville: Service begins December 17, with flights twice weekly on Thursday and Sunday.
The four routes will join Avelo’s previously announced McKinney service to Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, and Tampa.
Commercial flights from McKinney are scheduled to begin in November. The City of McKinney said Fort Myers service will begin November 11, followed by Las Vegas and Orlando on November 12 and Tampa and Fort Lauderdale on November 19.
Third Aircraft To Be Based At DTX
Avelo said it will base a third 184-seat Boeing 737-800 at McKinney National Airport as part of the expansion.
The airline plans to open its McKinney base on November 11 and said the expanded operation will create approximately 150 jobs, including positions for pilots, flight attendants, aircraft technicians, and airport personnel. Avelo said all three aircraft based at DTX will be Boeing Next-Generation 737s.
McKinney Assistant City Manager Barry Shelton said the expansion will add nonstop options while supporting local employment.
“Avelo Airlines is contributing positively to the North Texas economy by investing in nonstop flights to nine in-demand cities, a third based aircraft, and more than 100 career opportunities at McKinney National Airport,” Shelton said in a City of McKinney release.
New Terminal Set To Open November 11
McKinney National Airport’s new passenger terminal is scheduled to open on Veterans Day, November 11, the same day Avelo plans to open its base at the airport.
The City of McKinney said construction remains on schedule and that airport officials, contractors, Avelo leadership, and local media toured the terminal Thursday, about six weeks before opening.
Avelo is currently the first carrier scheduled to begin commercial passenger service from McKinney.
Avelo Continues Fleet Expansion
Avelo began operations in 2021 and said in August that it had surpassed 10 million customers.
The airline currently serves 37 destinations and operates a fleet of 16 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, according to Avelo.
McKinney is scheduled to become Avelo’s fifth operating base, joining Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut, Wilmington Airport in Delaware, Lakeland International Airport in Florida, and Concord-Padgett Regional Airport in North Carolina.
Avelo is also preparing for a longer-term fleet change. The airline placed a firm order for 50 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with purchase rights for 50 more.
The airline now says it expects to become the first U.S. carrier to operate the E195-E2 in 2028.
With nine nonstop destinations now planned from McKinney, the airport is positioned to enter the North Texas commercial passenger market with a larger route network than initially announced.
