Fly Southwest: DAL to Portland, Oregon

Have you ever heard the saying, "Flights are the broccoli of travel?" No? Just me? Well, even if it isn't a universal sentiment, the air travel part of vacation can feel a bit like a necessary evil. However, fear not my would-be airborne compatriots, because we're going on a little digital field trip today...from Dallas to Portland courtesy of Southwest Airlines-- spoiler alert, it's more than just peanuts and shrunk-down cans of Coca-Cola (though those are some welcome perks).

Let's start with the basics, giving due attention to our good friends 'Direct Flights' and 'Round-Trip.' Unless you are in the mood for a delightful detour through Albuquerque or Phoenix, you have non-stop options here, my friends. Southwest generously offers a daily direct flight from undefined in Dallas to Portland. You wake up in the land of cowboy boots and barbecues, and a few hours later, you land amidst flannel-wearing hipsters and delicious vegan donuts. Voila! Now, for return, the round-trip feature is a nifty little invention, considering driving back from Oregon to Texas might break your car odometer (and possibly your spirit)

The second stop on this virtual tour is every budget traveler's best friend: Cheap Flights! Unsurprisingly, Southwest dominates this area. Their 'Wanna get away' fares are a sort of Savior of the Skies for those of us whose pockets run more on the 'moth than money' side. However, bear in mind, finding the ideal cheap ticket requires a bit of finesse (and a whole lot of internet strength). Now, this isn't the Holy Grail, folks. The best time to book usually sits between one to four months before your trip. Set an airfare price alert, pour a cup of joe (or Joker-martini if that's your poison), sit back and let the internet do its thing.

Our third stop in this flight-friendly journey requires us to take our noses out of our wallets and direct them to the details - specifically, the 'Baggage Allowance.' Some folks may not realize this, but Southwest is rather a Robin Hood of the airlines world. They offer an incredible two free checked baggage. So, whether you feel the need to pack your entire vinyl collection or prepare for potential apocalypses with a suitcase full of canned goods, Southwest has your back (and your baggage).

Fourthly, we take a swing at the 'Frequent Flyer' aspect. Now, unless your daily commute is from Dallas to Portland, you might find yourself thinking, 'is that really for me?' Well, hold your horses, my travel-hungry friend. Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is not just for those of us with silicon valley paychecks or too much time on our hands. Each flight earns you redeemable points for future bookings. Flying becomes a little less broccoli and a little more... lasagna? I don't know, insert your favourite food here.

Last but not least, dear reader, our fifth stop brings us to 'In-flight Services.' No, Southwest has not yet achieved teleportation (if they do, remember you saw it here first). The flight duration is usually 5 to 5.5 hours. But fret not, you won't be gazing longingly out the window for the entire trip. WiFi, movies, messaging apps, and music are all at your fingertips (for a small fee). Now, 5 hours on-board might not seem so scary, eh?

So, my fellow wanderlusters, whether you're heading to Portland to spot a wild Powell's Bookstore (an absolute paradise for bookworms spread over an entire city block!) or to engage in the city's passionate coffee culture, remember to fly the fun and frugal way- Southwest it is! Happy Traveling!