Flying out of Columbus, Ohio, doesn’t have to stretch your budget, and a growing lineup of low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers is proof. Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Breeze Airways, and Allegiant Air all offer wallet-friendly options from the region. Whether you’re after a quick weekend trip, a family vacation to Florida, or a solo adventure to a new city, understanding which budget airlines serve Columbus—and how they operate—can help you keep more money in your pocket.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) handles the vast majority of these flights, while Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) provides an alternative for a few select low-cost routes. This guide walks you through every budget carrier, the airports they fly from, the tactics they use to keep fares low, and the smart strategies you can use to get the best possible price. No matter where you want to go, there’s a good chance an affordable seat is waiting for you.

Budget Airlines Available from Columbus: A Snapshot

The term “budget airline” covers a range of service models. Some carriers, like Spirit and Frontier, strip the fare down to just a seat and charge separately for everything else. Others, most notably Southwest, bundle in perks like two free checked bags and no change fees while still maintaining consistently low fares. A handful of newer entrants, including Breeze Airways, are bringing innovative point-to-point routes to Columbus and shaking up pricing on underserved city pairs.

Here’s a quick look at the main budget players you’ll encounter when searching for flights from Columbus:

  • Spirit Airlines: An ultra-low-cost carrier with a huge number of domestic and leisure routes, known for bare-bones base fares and a long list of optional add‑ons.
  • Frontier Airlines: Another ultra-low-cost carrier, similar to Spirit, with an extensive route map from CMH and its own discount membership program, Discount Den.
  • Southwest Airlines: A low-cost powerhouse that includes two free checked bags, no change fees, and a straightforward boarding process—often a favorite for travelers who value simplicity.
  • Breeze Airways: A relatively new airline that focuses on nonstop flights between smaller markets and larger cities, offering a mix of bundled fare options and competitive pricing.
  • Allegiant Air: A leisure-oriented ultra-low-cost carrier that operates from Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) on a limited number of routes, typically to vacation destinations.

Each airline approaches pricing differently, so knowing their nuances is the first step to scoring a genuine deal.

Major Airports Serving Budget Travelers

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

For most budget travelers, John Glenn Columbus International Airport is the starting point. Located just 6 miles east of downtown, CMH is easy to reach by car, rideshare, or COTA bus line 7. The airport itself is compact, which means shorter walks from security to the gate and less time spent navigating terminals.

Frontier, Spirit, Southwest, and Breeze all operate out of CMH. Together they connect Columbus to dozens of destinations, from major hubs like Orlando and Las Vegas to smaller cities such as Jacksonville, Tampa, and Providence. Southwest’s network from CMH is particularly wide: you can fly nonstop to places like Chicago Midway, Baltimore/Washington, Nashville, Denver, and Phoenix, often at prices competitive with the ultra-low-cost carriers once you factor in baggage.

To stay on top of route news and to see which airlines are currently operating, check the official CMH website. The airport frequently updates its list of nonstop destinations, which is especially helpful when a seasonal route pops up unexpectedly.

Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)

About 15 miles southeast of downtown Columbus, Rickenbacker International Airport is primarily a cargo hub, but it also serves a handful of passenger flights. The biggest name for budget travelers here is Allegiant Air. LCK is a small facility with a single passenger terminal, which means you’ll face minimal crowds and stress—though there are fewer food and shopping options once you’re through security.

Allegiant’s out-of-LCK routes lean heavily toward warm-weather vacation spots like Myrtle Beach, Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, and St. Pete-Clearwater. Because the airline operates only a couple of flights per week on many routes, flexibility is essential. If your dates align and you’re heading to a leisure destination, you can find fares that dramatically undercut anything available from CMH. More information is available on the Rickenbacker Airport site.

In-Depth Look at Each Budget Carrier

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is the poster child for ultra-low-cost travel in the U.S. From its Columbus base at CMH, Spirit flies nonstop to a rotating selection of popular vacation and business destinations, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Myrtle Beach. The premise is simple: you pay a rock-bottom fare for a seat and one personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. Everything else—a carry-on bag, a checked bag, seat selection, a drink, even printing your boarding pass at the airport—comes with a fee.

For travelers who can pack very light and don’t mind a middle seat, Spirit can be the cheapest way to fly. However, the fees add up quickly if you’re not careful. A carry-on bag can cost $40 to $70 each way if purchased at the airport, while a checked bag typically ranges from $30 to $55. Booking online and paying for bags during the initial purchase is always cheaper than waiting until you reach the gate. Spirit also offers a $9 Fare Club (now part of the Free Spirit loyalty program) that unlocks discounted bags and seats, though you’ll need to do the math to see if it’s worth it for your trip.

Spirit’s seats are slim, with a uniform 28-inch pitch (the distance between seats) that can feel tight for taller travelers. There are no seatback screens; bring your own entertainment. Still, if you approach Spirit with clear expectations and a lightweight packing list, you can genuinely pay half—or less—of what a traditional airline would charge. To explore current routes and the Free Spirit program, visit Spirit’s official site.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines mirrors Spirit’s a-la-carte model and also flies from CMH to more than 50 destinations nationwide. Common nonstop routes from Columbus include Denver, Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, and Philadelphia, with seasonal adds like Cancun or Punta Cana appearing occasionally. Base fares are often jaw-droppingly low when there’s a sale, but the same add-on structure applies: a personal item is free (size 14″ x 18″ x 8″), while carry-on and checked bags cost extra.

Frontier sets itself apart with its Discount Den membership. For an annual fee (often around $60), members get access to lower fares on select flights, and kids under 15 years old can fly free on certain dates when you’re a Discount Den member and buy an adult ticket. This program can deliver huge savings for families, but the “Kids Fly Free” offer is not available on every route or every date, so you’ll need to search specifically for qualifying flights. Frontier’s workshare with other airlines is minimal, meaning it’s usually a standalone booking, but the low base fares can still make it a winner if you travel light.

Baggage fees on Frontier are tiered: paying for bags during booking is cheapest; paying at check-in costs more; and paying at the gate is most expensive. Seat selection fees vary, but you can skip them altogether and let Frontier assign a seat for free at check-in (usually a middle seat). For details on routes and the Discount Den program, head over to Frontier’s website.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines isn’t an ultra-low-cost carrier in the same way as Spirit or Frontier, but it consistently delivers low fares out of CMH while throwing in perks that other budget carriers charge for. The biggest draw: two free checked bags for every passenger. That alone can save a couple $120 or more roundtrip compared to an ultra-low-cost rival. Southwest also never charges a fee to change or cancel your flight—you’ll get back the full fare as reusable travel credit if you cancel, a policy that remains unheard of on many competing airlines.

Southwest’s network from Columbus covers many of the most popular domestic destinations. Nonstop options include Chicago Midway, Baltimore/Washington, Atlanta, Orlando, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, and Houston Hobby, with connecting flights to the entire U.S. and several international spots. The open-seating boarding process, while unfamiliar to some travelers, is actually quite efficient: you’re assigned a boarding group and position based on check-in time, and you pick any open seat once on the plane.

While Southwest’s base fares may look slightly higher than Spirit or Frontier on the search results page, the all-in cost after bags and seat selection can easily be lower, especially if you have any luggage. Southwest also runs frequent sales—Wanna Get Away fares are the least expensive and can be downright cheap if you book a month or two out. Track the latest offers on Southwest’s homepage.

Breeze Airways

Breeze Airways is the newest entrant to the Columbus market, and it operates a different playbook. Founded by aviation veteran David Neeleman, Breeze focuses on nonstop flights between underserved city pairs, often with a point-to-point model that bypasses traditional hub connections. From CMH, Breeze has added routes to cities like Hartford, Providence, Norfolk, Richmond, and Charleston (SC), among others—many of which previously required a layover on another airline.

Breeze offers three fare bundles: “Nice,” “Nicer,” and “Nicest.” The basic “Nice” fare includes a personal item only; carry-on and checked bags are extra. “Nicer” fares include a carry-on and a standard seat with extra legroom at the front of the plane; “Nicest” fares add two checked bags, a premium seat, a drink and snack, and priority boarding. All fares allow no change or cancellation fees, though you’ll receive a credit (not a refund) if you cancel a “Nice” ticket. Breeze also offers a seasonal service to popular leisure destinations like Tampa and New Orleans, but the route map is still evolving.

One of Breeze’s hidden strengths is that it often undercuts major carriers on the same city pairs, even when adding a bag. Because Breeze uses smaller Airbus A220 and Embraer aircraft, flights can feel more intimate and comfortable. If you’re traveling to one of the smaller East Coast cities that Breeze serves, it’s worth comparing before you default to a connecting itinerary. To see if your destination is on their list, visit Breeze Airways online.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air operates a bit differently from the other carriers on this list: it uses Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) instead of CMH, and it typically runs a lean schedule with just a few flights per week on each route. Allegiant is purely a leisure airline, linking Columbus to warm-weather favorites like Myrtle Beach, Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Orlando/Sanford, and St. Pete-Clearwater. In some cases, Allegiant is the only nonstop option to those cities from the Columbus area.

Like Spirit and Frontier, Allegiant unbundles everything: base fare covers a seat and one small personal item, while both carry-on and checked bags cost extra. The airline also tacks on fees for seat assignments, priority boarding, and even paying with a credit card (book using a debit card to avoid that fee). Flights often operate only two or three times weekly, so your outbound and return dates need to match Allegiant’s schedule precisely. If they do, the savings can be substantial—roundtrip tickets for under $100 are not rare, even without a sale.

Because LCK is less crowded, parking rates are often lower than at CMH, and the overall airport experience is quicker. Allegiant’s focus on leisure destinations means you’ll find a heavy concentration of beach and family trips. For the latest routes and to check the “flight schedule” calendar, visit Allegiant’s website.

Strategies to Unlock Ultra-Low Fares

When to Book for Maximum Savings

Booking at the right time is one of the easiest ways to cut your travel costs. Nationally, the sweet spot for domestic flights is about one to three months before departure. For prime vacation periods like spring break or Thanksgiving, book even earlier—three to four months out—to avoid steep price hikes. Last-minute fares (within 14 days) almost always cost more out of Columbus, regardless of the airline.

Keep an eye out for weekly fare sales. Spirit and Frontier often drop their prices on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, with deals that apply to travel a few weeks or months later. Southwest’s sales tend to run for about three days at a time, and signing up for email alerts from all of these carriers ensures you hear about price drops first. Also, set up fare alerts through Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper; you can track specific routes from CMH or LCK and receive a notification the moment a price falls below your threshold.

Flexibility and Fare Alerts

Flexibility with your travel dates can unlock far lower prices. Searching with a “+/- 3 days” option on flight comparison tools reveals when fares plummet. Midweek days—particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays—consistently offer the cheapest tickets, while Friday and Sunday flights command a premium. If your schedule allows, choose an early morning or late-night departure; those flights are often less expensive and less crowded.

Don’t overlook alternate airports. While CMH is the primary gateway, checking flights from Dayton (DAY), Cincinnati (CVG), or Akron-Canton (CAK) occasionally yields a much cheaper itinerary, especially if you’re driving past those cities anyway. But remember to factor in parking and gas costs before making a longer trip to the airport.

Baggage Hacks to Avoid Extra Fees

On ultra-low-cost carriers, baggage fees can easily double the ticket price. The number-one rule is to travel with only a personal item that fits under the seat. Make sure your bag meets the exact dimensions listed on the airline’s website: for Spirit, that’s 18″ x 14″ x 8″; Frontier is slightly more generous at 8″ x 18″ x 14″; Allegiant requires 7″ x 15″ x 16″. Packing cubes and a soft-sided backpack can help you maximize every inch.

If you must bring a larger bag, pay for it during the initial booking process. Buying a carry-on online at the time of booking is often less than half the cost of the airport gate price. Frontier’s Discount Den and Spirit’s Free Spirit status can also trim these fees, so if you fly even two or three times a year with one of them, the membership might pay for itself. When flying Southwest, the two free checked bags eliminate this worry entirely—an important point to weigh in your decision.

Also, consider whether it’s cheaper to ship your luggage to your destination than to pay an airline’s roundtrip bag fees, especially for longer trips. Services like Luggage Forward or even USPS flat-rate boxes can sometimes beat the airline’s prices.

Top Budget Routes from Columbus and What You Can Expect to Pay

While prices fluctuate constantly, certain routes out of Columbus consistently appear in the “bargain” category. This table summarizes some of the most frequently traveled budget routes, typical low-fare ranges (one‑way, when booked well in advance), and the primary low-cost carriers that serve them.

RouteTypical Low Fare Range (One‑Way)Key Carriers
Columbus – Orlando (MCO)$35–$80Spirit, Frontier, Southwest
Columbus – Fort Lauderdale (FLL)$30–$75Spirit, Southwest (through MIA/FLL)
Columbus – Chicago (MDW)$39–$90Southwest (primarily)
Columbus – Denver (DEN)$45–$100Frontier, Southwest
Columbus – Myrtle Beach (MYR)$35–$85Spirit, Allegiant (from LCK)
Columbus – Las Vegas (LAS)$50–$110Spirit, Frontier, Southwest
Columbus – Tampa/St. Pete (TPA/PIE)$35–$80Spirit, Breeze, Allegiant (LCK)
Columbus – Providence (PVD)$40–$100Breeze Airways

These numbers are not guarantees—sale prices can go even lower, and peak summer fares can spike. The key takeaway is that multiple airlines compete on popular leisure corridors, which works in your favor. Check each airline’s site and set price alerts to catch the dips.

Seasonal Deals and Off-Peak Travel Opportunities

Columbus travelers can save even more by aligning their trips with off-peak seasons. The slowest travel periods from Ohio are typically late January through early March and again from late August to early October. During these windows, airlines slash prices to fill seats, and you’ll face smaller crowds at the airport and your destination. Frontier and Spirit, in particular, run deep discounts for mid-week, off-season travel to Florida, Las Vegas, and other sun spots.

Holiday weeks remain expensive, but the Tuesday or Wednesday immediately after a major holiday can be a surprising sweet spot. Spring break (March through mid-April) and the stretch around Thanksgiving are the priciest times to fly from Columbus; if your plans are flexible, avoid those windows. For summer trips, book by late spring and aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday departure to keep costs in check.

Another trick: many of these low-cost carriers open their schedules about 10–11 months in advance. When a new block of dates is released, early birds often find the lowest available fares before demand builds. Set a calendar reminder for when your target travel window goes on sale.

Which Budget Airline Should You Pick?

The right carrier for your trip depends on your priorities. If absolute price is your only concern and you can travel with nothing but a small backpack, Spirit or Frontier will likely offer the lowest sticker price. Families who need bags and seat assignments together might find Southwest’s bundled model to be the better overall value, despite a slightly higher base fare. Business travelers or those who prize nonstop routes to smaller East Coast cities should look closely at Breeze Airways and its no-change-fee policy.

Allegiant earns a special mention for leisure travelers willing to drive to Rickenbacker. Its ultra-low fares to beach destinations can be the cheapest way to get to the sand, provided your travel dates line up with the limited flight schedule.

Finally, never assume one airline is always cheapest. Compare all-in prices across at least two carriers for every trip. A $29 fare can quickly become $140 after bags and seat selection, while a $79 Southwest Wanna Get Away fare might include everything you need. A little bit of comparison shopping each time you book will keep your airfare spending right where you want it: low.