Spirit Airlines Adds Dallas Fort Worth to Flights

Update to original article: Spirit now fly non-stop to 15 cities from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with the addition of DFW to Portland, Oregon (PDX). To promote the new flight, Spirit are offering flights between the two cities for $28.79 one way.

On October 28^th, 2010 Spirit Airlines announced new flight service to Texas. Flights from Texas have been long overdue from Spirit. Dallas is the first city in Texas to be added to Spirit's flight routes. The new flights from Dallas Fort/Worth will begin on May 5^th, 2011.

Flights from Dallas Fort/Worth on Spirit Airlines

Note: Spirit Now Fly to 15 destinations from Dallas. See table to right.

When Spirit Airlines begin flights on May 5, 2011 from Dallas, Texas they will be offering flights to two cities. A traveler will be able to book a flight with Spirit Airlines from Dallas (DFW) to Las Vegas (LAS) or from DFW to Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL).

Spirit Airlines main hub and center of operations is in Detroit, Michigan. However, Fort Lauderdale is the airlines hub for all of its Caribbean, Central American and South American destinations. Fort Lauderdale receives all flights coming in from these destinations, and then flights continue on to other US destinations from Fort Lauderdale. This makes the flight between Dallas and Florida the more important route for most travelers wanting to continue on to Spirit's other destinations.

For air travelers in Texas this is a wonderful addition to their travel options. I have written articles about cheap flights from Texas to Costa Rica and other Latin American destinations. In the articles I have pointed out the lack of discount airlines offering flights from Texas to these destinations. Beginning May 5, 2011 travelers in Texas are in for a pleasant surprise when booking a flight to the many tropical destinations Spirit serve.

• Aruba – AUA

• Bahamas – Nassau – NAS

• Bahamas – San Salvador – ZSA

• Colombia – Armenia – AXM

• Colombia – Barranquilla – BAQ

• Colombia – Bogota – BOG

• Colombia – Cartagena – CTG

• Colombia – Medellin – MDE

• Costa Rica – San Jose – SJO

• Dominican Republic – Punta Cana – PUJ

• Dominican Republic – Santiago – STI

• Dominican Republic – Santo Domingo SDQ

• Guatemala – Guatemala City – GUA

• Haiti – Port-au-Prince - PAP

• Honduras – San Pedro Sula – SAP

• Jamaica – Kingston – KIN

• Jamaica – Montego Bay – MBJ

• Mexico – Cancun – CUN

• Netherlands Antilles – St. Maarten – SXM

• Nicaragua – Managua – MGA

• Panama – Panama City - PTY

• Peru – Lima – LIM

• Puerto Rico – Aguadilla – BQN

• Puerto Rico – San Juan – SJU

• US Virgin Islands – St. Thomas - STT

At the same time that Spirit Air was announcing the new flights from Dallas, Spirit also announced Canada flights servicing the Toronto and Montreal areas. Being a Canadian, I was excited about this news and the idea of being able to fly with an ultra discount air carrier out of Toronto. However, upon closer inspection, the news is not so great. Spirit is serving the "Toronto Area" by offering flights out of Niagra Falls, New York. As for Montreal, they are servicing the "Montreal Area" by offering flights out of Plattsburgh, New York. 

These flights may work well for Canadians living near the border.  However, for most Canadians wanting to connect in Toronto or Montreal, this isn't really a viable option.  For example, if you are living in Winnipeg and want to take advantage of the low airfares offered by Spirit, you will first fly to Pearson Airport in Toronto.  It is over 100 kilometers between Toronto and Niagra Falls.