10 Cheapest Places To Fly in 2026

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A new year brings fresh opportunities to book travel. According to Dollar Flight Club, these destinations are among the cheapest places to fly in 2026 based on average domestic airfare deals.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• Average flight cost: $95
• Optimal time to visit: late January or September

Fort Lauderdale is well-suited to outdoor enthusiasts, offering warm weather, public beaches, parks and easy access to the Everglades, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

Orlando, Florida

• Average flight cost: $105
• Optimal time to visit: early May or mid-September

Beyond Walt Disney World and other theme parks, Orlando has lakes, walking trails and nearby Cocoa Beach.

Chicago

• Average flight cost: $94
• Optimal time to visit: April to May or September to October

Although Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza and hot dogs, it also offers a melting pot of authentic ethnic food, per U.S. News & World Report. Aside from eating, tourists can visit museums, shop and enjoy the city’s nightlife. 

Pittsburgh

• Average flight cost: $108
• Optimal time to visit: late April to June or early fall

Pittsburgh is known for its industrial history, but the city also has a growing arts scene, various museums and plenty of new restaurants, according to U.S. News & World Report. Outdoor trails along the city’s three rivers add to its travel appeal.

Dallas

• Average flight cost: $129
• Optimal time to visit: late January to February or late August

Dallas offers museums, cultural districts, parks and outdoor spaces. Its food scene is known for Tex-Mex and steak, but plenty of ethnic cuisine is also available, per U.S. News & World Report. 

Charlotte, North Carolina

• Average flight cost: $92
• Optimal time to visit: spring to fall

Everyone from art enthusiasts to NASCAR fans will find something of interest in Charlotte, per U.S. News & World Report. It offers big city amenities paired with plenty of southern hospitality. 

Detroit

• Average flight cost: $119
• Optimal time to visit: May to September

Different areas of Detroit are in a state of revitalization and tourism helps support it, according to U.S. News & World Report. Museums, historic buildings and the city’s Riverwalk are all worthy of a visit. 

Knoxville, Tennessee

• Average flight cost: $104
• Optimal time to visit: spring to early fall

Knoxville has a walkable downtown with plenty of interesting shops, restaurants and access to the Tennessee River. Outside of the city, the Great Smoky Mountains await. 

Pensacola, Florida

• Average flight cost: $108
• Optimal time to visit: September to October

Pensacola is well-known for its white-sand beaches and emerald waters. But it’s also the oldest settlement in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report. Visitors can explore museums filled with military history and take a tour of 12 historic properties in the Historic Pensacola Village.

Des Moines, Iowa

• Average flight cost: $110
• Optimal time to visit: spring to early summer

Although it may not be first on the list when it comes to vacation destinations, Des Moines offers plenty of family-friendly attractions, such as the Iowa State Capital, Living History Farms and Adventureland Resort. 

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