Fly Southwest: DAL to Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Holy Houston, folks! There you are — right in the midst of Dallas, trying valiantly to master the legendary barbecue, the boot-stomping music, and the good ol' Texas twang (for bonus points, try saying 'Yeehaw' without grinning, I dare you!). But, alas, the call of Portsmouth beckons like a siren song (it's either the quaint colonial seaside charm or the glycemic allure of a giant syrup-drenched stack of pancakes which I hear you can nab at The Friendly Toast). With a tip of the ten-gallon hat, you accept that Dallas drew the short straw on direct flights; Southwest, the legendary budget-friendly carrier, is your noble steed, ready to ferry you airway-pirate style, across this great nation of ours.

Now, before you jump feet first into the wild rodeo of airfare hunting - with the tenacity of a honey badger snagging a meerkat - a quick word on timing. Remember, my good traveler, that the early bird may get the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese. This golden nugget of wisdom is your harbinger to the best time to book (for those not privy to barnyard wisdom, it simply means book neither too early nor too late). Savvy budget-hunters know that timing is everything.

To the layperson, the world of connecting flights can strike fear into the brawniest of hearts. The mere mention might send shivers of trepidation running down the spine, images of uncomfortably brisk walks through endless terminals and the panic-laden jogs to catch a flight about to zip off into the air just before you arrive. Fear not, for this is the stage where Southwest shines brighter than a diamond-studded belt buckle at a square dance rendezvous.

Does the prospect of navigating through an assortment of flights, with their complex itineraries and regular beings' layover dread, make you feel like you're caught between a rock and a cowboy boot? Well, y'all, you're in luck! Southwest deploys a monotonous yet soothing methodology to this melee. In short, they've simplified their schedules to make your journey more like a gentle trot than a bucking bronco ride. Your connecting flight promises to be as smooth as a freshly churned butter — your layover, an opportunity not a hurdle.

Say 'Whoa Nelly' to the pricey world of baggage fees that have snagged many a traveler like tumbleweeds in a desert! Southwest offers a splendid gift of baggage allowance, which is as generous as a southern grandma is with her pecan pie. With your ticket, you can check two pieces of luggage that meet the size and weight restrictions, without dishing out a dime more. Now, my friend, that’s a hotter deal than jalapeños in July.

And if that isn't enough showbiz for you, let's saddle up and ride to the in-flight services saloon. Entertainment-wise, Southwest has a thing or two to show the others. Not only does it offer Wi-Fi for a nominal fee, but there's also a pretty decent selection of free television shows and movies to pick from to make you feel at home – or at least, as 'at home' as one can feel in a tin can traveling at 35,000 feet.

So, if you were about to use your hard-earned pesos for a first-class ticket, feeling skeptical about this Southwest adventure: hang on to your Stetsons, cowboys and cowgirls. Sometimes - nay, all the time - it's not the destination that counts, but the journey and the company. The laughing Southwest crew, the legroom that cuts the mustard, and the pretzel-lovers' packs. Plus, the freedom to have a last-minute change of heart with their perk of no extra charges on flight changes – a rare freedom that is, sadly, as scarce as hen's teeth nowadays.

In a nutshell, when it comes to Southwest and their Dallas to Portsmouth route, it's not just about cheap flights. No sirree, Bob. It's about a ride through the wild blue yonder that's filled with warmth, humor, legroom, and some pretty amazing hoedown-worthy deals. So, saddle up, partner, and let's ride this winged horse called Southwest!