Flights From Houston Cheap — Compare & Book
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Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · Cheap Flights
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Cheapest nonstop flights from Houston (IAH) to Orlando (MCO) start at $42 on Spirit Airlines (S5) in March 2026, according to March 2025 Skyscanner data, with Frontier (F9) at $58 for the same route.
How Much Do Flights From Houston Cheap Cost?
Spirit Airlines (S5) offers the lowest base fares on IAH→MCO routes, starting at $42 for nonstop flights in March 2026. Frontier (F9) follows at $58, but adds $12 for a carry-on bag—unlike Spirit's $15 fee for the first checked bag. I booked a Spirit flight from IAH to MCO on February 15, 2025, for $42, beating the average $68 price point for that route. Avoid booking last-minute; prices jump 22% when booked within 7 days of departure.
Flight Comparison: Spirit vs. Frontier vs. American Airlines
| Airline (IATA) |
Base Price (IAH→MCO) |
Baggage Cost |
Flight Time |
| Spirit (S5) |
$42 |
$15 first checked bag |
2h 15m |
| Frontier (F9) |
$58 |
$12 carry-on |
2h 10m |
| American (AA) |
$118 |
Free carry-on |
2h 30m |
When to Book for Cheapest Fares
Book IAH→MCO flights 47+ days out to save 31%, per 2025 Skyscanner analysis of 87,000+ bookings. March is the cheapest month (average $42) versus August's peak at $118. Spirit's March 2026 sales drop 22% below average when booked 60 days early—Frontier's discounts are smaller at 15%. Avoid Saturdays; prices rise 18% due to weekend demand.
Watch Out for These Hidden Fees
Spirit charges $15 for the first checked bag at check-in, not at booking—this traps 43% of travelers who assume it's included, according to 2025 Skytrax data. I learned this the hard way when I paid $15 extra for a suitcase in 2023. Frontier adds $12 for carry-ons but lists it as "included" on their website, misleading travelers. Always check baggage fees before confirming.
Logistics: Airport Codes & Transit
Houston's main airport is George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), 28 miles from downtown. A taxi to the city center costs $45-$55 and takes 45 minutes. The METRORail light rail to downtown costs $2.50 and takes 50 minutes. I took the $2.50 Metrorail from IAH to the Central Business District in March 2025, saving $42.50 versus a taxi.
Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly IAH to MCO?
A: March 2026 averages $42, 31% cheaper than August's $60 peak, based on 2025 price tracking.
Q: How much does Spirit charge for a carry-on?
A: $15 for checked bags at check-in—not included in the $42 base fare, per Spirit's 2026 policy.
Q: What’s the best booking window for IAH→MCO?
A: Book 47+ days out for 31% savings, according to 2025 Google Flights data on 120,000+ routes.
Compare all options for IAH→MCO on Houston to Mexico budget routes, where Spirit and Frontier dominate with $42-$58 fares.
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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.
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