(MCKINNEY, TEXAS) — Avelo Airlines just became the first carrier to commit to McKinney National Airport (TKI), setting up a new small-airport alternative to DFW and Love Field once The new terminal opens in late 2026. If you live in Collin County or the northern Dallas suburbs, this could mean shorter drives, quicker curb-to-gate times, and ultra-low fares on nonstop leisure routes.
On December 17, 2025, the City of McKinney signed a five-year Airline Use and Lease Agreement with Avelo Airlines, a Houston-based ultra-low-cost carrier. The deal makes Avelo the launch airline for TKI’s first-ever commercial passenger service.
The new terminal is planned as a four-gate facility that can expand to six gates, with an early target of 3–5 flights per day and about 200,000 passengers per year.
Avelo says it will reveal the exact start date and the first nonstop destinations only a few months before opening. That’s typical ULCC behavior — these airlines like to time announcements around aircraft availability and airport readiness.
Route details (what we know so far)
Because Avelo hasn’t named destinations yet, the “route” is really the airport launch itself. Think of this as TKI entering the commercial map, with Avelo as the first mover.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Origin | McKinney National Airport (TKI) |
| Destination | To be announced (nonstop routes announced closer to opening) |
| Frequency | To be announced (terminal planning assumes 3–5 flights per day across airlines) |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737 / Airbus A320-family capable (terminal designed for this size) |
| Start Date | Late 2026 (exact launch date to be announced) |
Why this matters if you fly North Texas a lot
The Dallas–Fort Worth region already has two powerhouse airports, but both come with tradeoffs.
- DFW is huge and well-connected, but it can be a hike. Parking, traffic, and long walks add time.
- Dallas Love Field is closer for many, but it’s space-constrained and often pricier.
TKI’s pitch is speed and simplicity. A four-gate terminal is built for fast arrivals and departures. If Avelo prices this like its other markets, expect low base fares and add-ons for bags and seats.
💡 Pro Tip: With Avelo-style pricing, your “real” cost depends on bags. If you check a bag, compare the final price against Southwest or American.
What Avelo is likely to fly from McKinney
Avelo’s brand is nonstop flying from smaller airports to places that don’t always get cheap nonstop service. In the Dallas area today, it already flies twice weekly from DFW to New Haven (HVN).
That clue matters. Avelo tends to build routes around:
- Leisure travel peaks (weekends and holiday periods)
- Underserved mid-size cities
- Visiting-friends-and-relatives demand
So while we can’t name TKI routes yet, expect point-to-point service rather than “feed a hub” flying. Also expect less-than-daily frequencies at first — twice-weekly or three-times-weekly routes are common for ULCCs.
Miles and points: what you can (and can’t) earn with Avelo
Here’s the straight talk for points people. Avelo doesn’t run a traditional frequent flyer program like American AAdvantage or Southwest Rapid Rewards. So you should not expect to earn airline miles toward free flights or elite status on Avelo tickets.
Your best “points play” will likely be:
- Book with a travel rewards credit card that earns bonus points on airfare.
- Choose cards with trip delay and baggage protections, since ULCC schedules can be thin.
- Use flexible points to offset the cash cost, if your card allows it.
On the redemption side, Avelo flights are generally cash-based. That can still work in your favor: if Avelo launches $49–$99 type fares from TKI, burning 12,500 airline miles via a partner program would often be a poor value.
Competitive context: who else serves these travelers?
No other airline has announced service from McKinney National Airport (TKI) yet. That’s the headline: Avelo is first.
But travelers will still compare TKI against the region’s existing options.
| Option | Airport | Best for | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avelo at McKinney | TKI | Quick airport experience, nonstop leisure routes, low base fares | Limited network; fewer backup flights if cancellations hit |
| American (and partners) | DFW | Massive network, connections, elite benefits, lounges | Longer drive for many north-suburb travelers |
| Southwest | DAL | Frequent domestic flying; bags fly free | Airport constraints; pricing can spike on peak days |
| Avelo today | DFW | Existing ULCC alternative (e.g., DFW–New Haven 2x weekly) | Still a big-airport experience |
If you’re chasing airline status, DFW and Love will remain better tools. Avelo is more about cheap nonstop convenience.
A note some travelers will care about
Avelo has drawn criticism for operating ICE deportation charters. Avelo has said its McKinney operation will be commercial only. Still, some travelers will factor this into booking decisions.
What to do now (since you can’t book yet)
Tickets are not on sale because routes and schedules aren’t public. The practical move is to get ready for the announcement window.
- If you live near McKinney, plan on TKI being a viable option by late 2026.
- Keep your preferred dates flexible for the first few months — new routes can shift.
- Price-check against DAL and DFW once schedules drop, and make sure to include bag and seat fees.
This new service is ideal for travelers in McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano, and Prosper who want nonstop leisure flights with a shorter airport drive, and who don’t need traditional airline miles or tight same-day backup options.
Avelo Airlines is set to transform McKinney National Airport into a commercial hub by late 2026. As the launch carrier, Avelo will offer budget-friendly, nonstop leisure flights from a new terminal. This move provides a strategic alternative for North Texas travelers, prioritizing speed and proximity over the scale of DFW or the congestion of Love Field, despite lacking a traditional frequent flyer program.
