Price-savvy travelers departing from Northwest Arkansas National Airport almost always lean hard on its low-cost carriers.
They won’t be required to do that in September as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have great deals to more than a dozen cities.
Wanna take a September trip to Pittsburgh for $185 roundtrip? American has you covered.
How about Chicago on United for $168, Richmond on American for $219, Buffalo on American for $205 or Savannah on Delta for $237? Incredible deals, right?
FareFlightNWA used Google Flights to find great deals to places that are rarely so affordable from XNA. The best prices were often on flights that depart XNA in the evening and head back to Arkansas in the early morning, but the cost-savings may be worth giving up the world’s perfect flight times.
Here’s what was spotted, but travelers must keep in mind that airfares change constantly. Just a few people purchasing a certain flight may drive the price up at least a few bucks, and if no one books, the airlines could go even lower.
Pittsburgh
The best deal is a Friday, Sept. 22 flight to Pittsburgh (that lands at midnight), and it’s possible to return to XNA on Sept. 25, 26 or 27 for $185 roundtrip. The Steelers and the Pirates are both on the road so a sports-focused weekend isn’t in the cards.
On the plus side, the city has a zoo, a natural history museum, good outdoors options and a highly regarded craft beer scene. The Visit Pittsburgh website is solid.
Chicago
A ton of day combinations for a trip to and from Chicago from XNA on both American and United have great pricing. There are at least a dozen options available in September and October for less than $225.
Recommendation? United departs XNA on Sept. 19 and returns on Sept. 23 for $168. It’s Tuesday-through-Saturday travel, and the Cubs play home games from Sept. 19-24. Wrigley Field is a great experience, and the Cubs remain in contention for a spot in the playoffs.
Even better, there’s no need to rent a car in Chicago. Public transit works great in the Windy City, and Uber will suffice in a pinch.
Savannah
Delta has a few roundtrips in September that sell for the $237 price. Leaving XNA late on Sept. 15 and coming home the following Tuesday make sense.
Visit Savannah is a slick website, and has a helpful list of 10 things first-time visitors should do.
Buffalo
American has a few days with great fares from XNA to Buffalo, but not as many as are available for the trips to Pittsburgh, Chicago or Savannah. One option would be departing XNA on Wednesday, Sept. 13 and returning to XNA on Saturday, Sept. 16. The price is right at $204.
Going to see Niagara Falls seems like the way to go, and Architectural Digest put it on a list of 23 Places to Travel in 2023. The publication gave the city high praise, calling it an “under-the-radar pilgrimage site for architecture buffs.”
Richmond
Leaving XNA in the afternoon on Sept. 9 and coming home late in the day on Sept. 12 works, and it’s $219 roundtrip on American.
The Visit Richmond website notes the city has a solid cycling scene if that’s your thing, a dozen concert venues and great history sites.
Where else?
We’ll stop our list there but point out there are many other options in September for a great price from XNA on the legacy carriers. Most of the best options are on American, which is XNA’s dominate carrier.
Those American options include roundtrips to Raleigh (Sept. 30-Oct. 3, $185), Louisville (Sept. 8-12, $185), and Miami (Sept. 30-Oct. 3, $198). With the exception of that Sept. 30 flight to Miami, all of those trips require a layover at Dallas/Fort Worth or Charlotte.
