At McKinney's New Airport, the Day You Fly Shapes Your Holiday Trip

Which day of the week were you planning to fly out for Thanksgiving? At McKinney National Airport, that answer now matters more than the drive. The new passenger terminal was scheduled to open to travelers on Veterans Day, with Avelo Airlines' Fort Myers route first on the board. Las Vegas and Orlando start today, Thursday, Nov. 12.

For a McKinney household, the terminal at 1910 FM 546 is close enough to change how holiday trips work. Each route flies only on set days of the week, and in this first season those days leave some gaps. The biggest gap falls right where many families would want a flight.

Thanksgiving Week, Day by Day

Avelo's November routes each fly on fixed days of the week. By Thanksgiving week, all five have started, since Fort Lauderdale and Tampa begin Nov. 19. Laid out against the 2026 calendar, the week looks like this:

Wednesday, Nov. 25 has one route, Fort Myers, which flies only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tuesday has none. Thanksgiving Day itself has four routes. So does the following Monday.

For a trip to Orlando or Fort Lauderdale, the schedule offers a lot of choice. Both run five days a week, and those days take in Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after and both weekend days. Las Vegas and Tampa run Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. For Southwest Florida, the Fort Myers flights on Wednesday and Saturday make a natural pair for a long weekend.

December Doubles the Map, Starting Mid-Month

The second wave of routes starts Dec. 16 and 17, about a week before Christmas falls on a Friday. Avelo's DTX network grows to 11 nonstop destinations.

• Atlanta: begins Wednesday, Dec. 16, four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
• Denver: begins Wednesday, Dec. 16, four times weekly
• Sarasota/Bradenton: begins Wednesday, Dec. 16, on Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Nashville and New Orleans: both begin Thursday, Dec. 17, on Thursdays and Sundays
• West Palm Beach: begins Thursday, Dec. 17, on Thursdays and Sundays

Las Vegas picks up Wednesday and Saturday flights for the peak holiday season, which brings it to six a week. FOX5 Las Vegas reported that the added flights begin Dec. 16.

Put together, the week of Christmas looks much fuller than Thanksgiving week. The Wednesday before Christmas has Fort Myers, Sarasota/Bradenton, Atlanta and the added Las Vegas flight. Thursday, Dec. 24 has seven routes on the schedule. Tuesdays still have no routes in December either. That pattern holds across every route announced so far, so a Tuesday departure from McKinney is not on the table this season. Check exact days and times on AveloAir.com before you build a trip around them. Avelo's own fine print says schedules can change until a ticket is issued.

One Lot, No Reservations, and a Free First 30 Minutes

Once you know your day, parking is the next decision. DTX has a single lot directly in front of the terminal. It is first come, first served, and the airport's parking page says advance reservations "aren't needed or available." Community Impact reported that the lot has 980 public spaces.

The rate card is short:

At the $15 daily rate Community Impact reported, a Sunday-to-Sunday Thanksgiving trip comes to about $105 in parking. The free first half hour is the more useful line for many households. A spouse, neighbor or grown child who drops you off or picks you up within 30 minutes pays nothing.

There are no paper tickets. The lot reads your license plate when you enter and leave. You scan a QR code on the lot or terminal signs, register your plate and a payment method, then drive out, and the charge goes through automatically. The airport suggests taking a photo of your plate before you walk in, since you'll need the number to register. Uber and Lyft also serve the terminal, with signs pointing to the pickup areas outside.

Getting to 1910 FM 546

The airport tells travelers to put 1910 FM 546 into their navigation. Its posted routes all end on Harry McKillop Boulevard:

1. From the north: take US 75 south to US 380/University Parkway, head south on Airport Drive, then east on Harry McKillop Boulevard.
2. From the south: take US 75 north, exit toward SH 5, then go east on Harry McKillop Boulevard.
3. From the southwest: take SH 121/Sam Rayburn Tollway east past US 75, then continue east on Harry McKillop Boulevard.

Work around the airfield is still going on. In an Oct. 20 update, Community Impact described the FM 546 roundabout and taxiway project as nearing completion, with a traffic switch coming soon. Expect the final approach to look a little different from one trip to the next this season.

The airport recommends arriving 90 minutes before departure, especially if you're parking and checking bags. The DTX frequently asked questions page lists a REAL ID-compliant state ID or a U.S. passport as acceptable identification.

What the Ticket Doesn't Include

Avelo prices bags separately, so it pays to settle the luggage question before you choose a fare. Each traveler gets one free personal item up to 17 by 13 by 9 inches. Carry-ons are listed from $54 to $75, and checked bags from $49 to $75. Avelo recommends buying bags in advance. The standard checked bag allowance is 50 pounds and 62 linear inches. A bag over 50 pounds, up to 70, costs an extra $100. So does a bag over 62 linear inches, up to 80. A bag that is both overweight and oversized costs an extra $200.

For a family of four flying to grandparents' for the holiday, each checked bag adds at least $49 each way on top of the fares. Gifts that can ship ahead are worth a thought.

Inside the Terminal

The building itself is small by design. Community Impact reported a $79 million, 46,000-square-foot terminal that opens with four gates and has room for a fifth and sixth. At the September press conference, airport director Ken Carley described it this way:

"The terminal is designed to serve up to 1 million passengers annually, while providing a simple and accessible curb-to-cabin experience."

On Oct. 5, the McKinney City Council approved a concession agreement with Creative Hospitality Solutions, LLC to run food and beverage service. According to the City Council agenda item, the plan includes coffee and specialty drinks, bakery items, sandwiches, salads, hot items, a self-service "Mobile Market," and beer and wine subject to licensing and city approval. The same document names Armor Coffee Company, a North Texas roaster, and a "McKinney Made" shelf of local goods. Two murals by Texas-based artists are planned, one at the curb and one in baggage claim. Enterprise handles rental cars on site.

Flying Home the Weekend of Home for the Holidays

Thanksgiving weekend's return flights land in the middle of downtown McKinney's biggest weekend. Home for the Holidays runs Nov. 27 to 29 at 111 N. Tennessee St. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The community tree lighting is set for 6:15 p.m. Friday.

Sunday, Nov. 29 has Las Vegas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa on the schedule, so some households will be home in time for the festival's last afternoon. This year's festival adds a City Hall shuttle that runs from 401 E. Virginia St. to Chestnut Street. On Sunday it is the only shuttle running, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., about every 15 minutes. Streets inside the festival area close to traffic, so plan the drive home from the airport around them.

Flying from the new terminal this season starts with the calendar. Many families will start trip planning with the new DTX schedule. Out-of-town relatives may now fly into McKinney itself, and drive time to the airport has become a real question when choosing your next home. Whichever applies to you, The Luxe Global Group knows how this corner of Collin County works day to day. Book a complimentary consultation, and we'll help you match the move you're planning to the way you actually travel.