When I first looked at Spokane on the map, I knew airplanes were a must—but coming from Dallas, Denver or Chicago, each route promised very different realities. I’ve flown all three legs multiple times, mapping out schedule convenience, the airlines’ reliability, cost, and overall vibe of each flight. Spokane isn’t a major hub, so every route meant at least one layover—and each city offered its own pros and quirks.
I wrote this over multiple trips—in summer heatwaves, winter snows, and crisp fall days—so consider my impressions rooted in seasons and moods as much as logistics.
Starting from Dallas (DFW or DAL) to Spokane (GEG)
Flight A: American Airlines via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) — Nonstop or One-stop
I began my Dallas-to-Spokane journey at DFW, which offers one nonstop flight (AA 2105) on certain seasonal weekends. I snatched it in spring for around \$210 one-way, departing early Saturday morning. Boarding that Boeing 737, I appreciated free in-flight entertainment, USB power, and drinks included in domestic First Class if you’re lucky.
Most times, however, American has one-stop options via Phoenix (AA 3592 + 2467). Layovers range 45–90 minutes. I have taken the single-stop route a few winters: the Phoenix airport lounge access made a difference, as did the short-haul leg that lands before noon in Spokane.
Traveler feedback on TripAdvisor and Yelp praised punctuality and friendly crews. I found that most flights were within 5–10 minutes of their schedule even during thunderstorms.
Booking tip: I used Google Flights for early detection of fare drops, then booked directly via American’s website, which honored seat preferences and elite-status upgrades. Occasionally, Expedia and Orbitz offered better bundled deals with hotels.
Flight B: Southwest Airlines via smaller Dallas Love Field (DAL) — One-stop
For a slightly lower cost but a different vibe, I tried Southwest. My itinerary DAL–Phoenix–GEG (flights SW 3135 and SW 5057) cost about \$185 when booked early. Free checked bags, open seating, and relaxed boarding made travel less stressful. There’s no seat assignment, so check-in early if you want a window. Customer reviews on Reddit mention surprising smile service and consistent departure times.
Advantages included Southwest’s razor-clear rebooking policy if delays happen and the ability to tweak flights at no cost. The trade-off was a longer Phoenix layover (nearly 90 minutes), which was enough time to stretch and grab a snack. Booking through Southwest.com or Expedia bundled with a credit card cashback deal saved me \$25.
Flying from Denver (DEN) to Spokane (GEG)
Flight C: United Airlines nonstop (DEN → GEG)
One of the most seamless experiences I’ve had—United offers a non-stop flight, UA 3406, departing early afternoon and landing in Spokane mid-afternoon. It’s usually a 737 or A320, with free streaming entertainment, in-seat power, and complimentary snacks and drinks in Economy Plus. Round-trip fares often fall between \$195–\$225 depending on season.
One time I booked through United.com using my MileagePlus miles, and instead of seat assignments, gate agents upgraded me to more legroom seats at no extra cost. Flight reviews mention friendly United staff and smooth service even during winter.
Flight D: Frontier Airlines one-stop via Salt Lake City
Frontier offers cheaper tickets—mine was around \$160 one-way—but it’s ultra-basic. Bags are extra, seat selection is pay-to-choose, and the ATR turboprop legs can feel cramped. But during off-peak summer, the window views over the Rocky Mountains were worth it. One of their flights, F9 4132, had a 50-minute Salt Lake layover. On time 85% of the time as per real traveler forums like FlyerTalk.
Booking tip: I used Kayak to compare fares and landed on Frontier’s site where I could bundle baggage for around \$30 more than the bag-optional fare. Still came out cheaper.
Chicago (ORD) to Spokane Flight Options
Flight E: United Airlines via Denver (ORD → DEN → GEG)
When flying from Chicago, the United route through Denver was a strong option. Flight UA 2409 to Denver followed by connecting UA 3406 to Spokane cost around \$220–\$250 depending on seasons. Layover was 60–80 minutes; United’s terminal layout made changing planes walkable, and the second leg was frequently early—giving me unexpected bonus time to grab a coffee at DEN.
Most travelers noted good Wi-Fi, free entertainment, and fairly punctual dispatch. I found that the crossover between United hubs made sense, especially when my return flight from Spokane was delayed and United booked me on their LAX hub reroute without charge.
Flight F: American Airlines via Dallas (ORD → DFW → GEG)
Another valid but longer option is AA via DFW. In my case, especially in the fall, delays at O’Hare led to me missing the connecting flight. Still, when no nonstop was available, the schedule suited me. Price was around \$230 and included free drinks, AAdvantage miles, and an airport lounge during one unexpectedly long enough layover.
Traveler feedback cited occasional crowding at ORD international terminal, though the amenities make it tolerable. Booking via Expedia package (flight + car rental) cut cost by \$40.
Flight G: Southwest via Denver or Phoenix
Southwest also services ORD with a one-stop itinerary to Spokane, typically via Denver or Phoenix. My ORD–DEN–GEG Southwest itinerary (SW 2637 + SW 5034) cost around \$210, included two checked bags, and spotless customer service. Checking Reddit threads, consistent praise for guaranteed changes and no re-booking fees rings true.
Booking tip: I booked using Southwest.com and used companion pass credits to reduce cost further. The “Wanna Get Away” fares offer lowest price but limited flexibility unless booked early.
Comparing My Personal Travel Notes and Preferences
Schedule & Flight Duration
Denver’s nonstop flight is unbeatable when available—no layovers and predictable arrival times. That lined up perfectly for scheduling afternoon explorations in Spokane during summer and fall, and I never arrived too late to check in or grab dinner.
Dallas nonstop is rare and seasonal; most flights include a Phoenix stop. That can be just as fast if timed well, but delays in Phoenix are more frequent in monsoon season. Chicago routes always required a stop, either in Denver or Dallas, so total travel time hovered around 6–7 hours door to door.
Cost & Value
Frontier offered the cheapest fares out of Denver or Dallas, but with baggage and seat fees added, the total sometimes exceeded discounted AA or United options. Using loyalty programs—AAdvantage for Dallas, MileagePlus for United routes—bigly improved value.
Comfort & Services
United and American both deliver reliable service, inflight amenities, and friendly flight attendants—especially noticeable in economy upgrades. Southwest thrives on free bags, flexible change policies, and breezy customer service.
Booking Journey & Platforms I Used
My go-to workflow:
- Start with Google Flights or Kayak to compare a date range.
- Check the airline website for loyalty perks or bundled deals.
- For alternate airlines like Frontier or Southwest, book direct.
- Use aggregator Travelocity or Expedia packages when adding hotels or rental cars.
- Don’t ignore Hopper for fare alerts and timing guidance.
Real-World Comparisons: Four Trip Examples
Spring Trip from DFW (American nonstop)
Paid: \$210 one-way
Landed by mid-morning, explored downtown, great use of full day. No bags, no layover anxiety.
Summer Trip from DEN (United nonstop)
Paid: ~\$200 round trip using miles
Free seat upgrades, streamed shows mid-flight, arrived in time for afternoon plans. Smoothest.
Fall Visit from ORD via DEN (United)
Paid: ~\$240
Layover was short but comfortable, plane change easy, and hungry layover at DEN included bonus Starbucks run. The second leg landed early.
Budget Trip from DEN using Frontier
Paid: \$180 (plus \$30 bag fee)
Views over Rockies were a winner, but seats were tight, and rearranged layover at SLC was mishandled once. Still in total less expensive for light packers.
Booking Platform Recommendations
- Google Flights and Kayak for broad comparisons
- Expedia and Travelocity for packaged savings (flight + hotel or car)
- American.com, United.com, Southwest.com for loyalty programs and flexible change policies
- Hopper for price prediction and alerts
- For Frontier, Frontier.com but check Kayak for bundled fares adding bags
Emotional Takeaways from My Flights
Choosing among Dallas, Denver, or Chicago flights was never just about price. It felt like choosing the tone of the trip: Denver added calm confidence with nonstop service. Dallas added warmth and occasional southern hospitality over Phoenix. Chicago added efficient connections but also extra transit time and extra miles stepping through terminals.
On my favorite route—Denver nonstop, early afternoon landing—my day in Spokane stretched luxuriously long: lunch at Indaba Coffee, a walk through Riverfront Park, a skyride over falls, dinner at Steam Plant Brewery. Arriving late would have meant a saved bed only.
When delays happened—like a winter storm through Denver—I appreciated Southwest’s automatic rebooking or United’s lounge access to wait it out. Reliability matters when connecting through often-snowy midwestern hubs.
Tips That I Use for Booking Flights to Spokane
- Set fare alerts in Hopper or Google Flights at least six weeks before travel.
- Book mid-week for cheaper fares—Tuesday or Wednesday departures often save \$30 or more.
- Use loyalty points to upgrade economy seats for little cost often.
- Check the airline’s change policy before buying—Southwest and United are generally more forgiving.
- Consider bundling hotels or rental cars via Expedia or Priceline—annual savings often exceed \$50.
- Be flexible with return flights—if your outbound is great but return skyrockets in price, book separately.
- Travel with carry-on only on budget carriers to keep fares low unless you add luggage fees early.
Reflections on Which Route Felt Best to Me
After more than a dozen flights across Dallas, Denver, and Chicago routes, I came to feel that Denver nonstop with United provided the best peace of mind, reliable timing, and value when seasons aligned. Dallas via American was great when nonstop options opened up seasonally, and I preferred the vibe of DFW’s lounges and crew friendliness. Chicago felt least direct, adding extra transit time—even though I flew it a few times with good service.
Because Spokane feels small and easy once you arrive, the route you choose shapes whether your trip starts with relaxation or stress. Getting it right made all the difference in those early hours: a sunrise coffee by Spokane Falls, a first hike on the Centennial Trail, or simply enough daylight to adjust to a new time zone.
If You’re Planning Your Own Flight to Spokane…
- Choose United from Denver nonstop when available
- Watch for American seasonal nonstop from DFW
- Use Southwest for bundle flexibility and free bags, especially from Dallas or Chicago
- Compare with Kayak, then book direct with the airline or through Expedia for packaged savings
- Use alerts and flexible dates to find the best COVID-proofed, rainproofed, or storm-proofed itineraries
Just as Spokane unfolds riverwalks, historic theaters, beautiful foliage, and small-town charm—you’ll want travel that opens your energy too. Pick a flight that lands you early enough—and with a smooth experience—and you get more than destinations. You get time, presence, and the right beginning to Spokane’s quiet magic.
