May is a busy shoulder month at Charleston International Airport (CHS). Travelers heading to Dayton International Airport (DAY) should expect primarily connecting itineraries via major hubs—Charlotte (CLT), Atlanta (ATL), or Chicago (ORD). Airlines sometimes add seasonal seats for Memorial Day, so search early and set price alerts. Nearby major cities commonly accessed from CHS include Savannah, Columbia, Charlotte, and Myrtle Beach, offering alternate routing and multi-city options for travel in May.
May arrivals at Dayton International Airport (DAY) enjoy mild weather and access to nearby metropolitan areas like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Travelers should prepare for Memorial Day weekend crowds if traveling at month-end. Ground transport options including rideshare, rental cars, and regional shuttles make it easy to reach downtown Dayton and surrounding destinations. If you plan onward travel into Cincinnati or Columbus, May offers comfortable driving conditions for road trips.
Traveling in May from Charleston International Airport (CHS) to Dayton International Airport (DAY) gives you exposure to spring festivals and local events. Charleston often hosts arts and cultural events such as the Spoleto Festival USA (late May–early June) and pop-up culinary events during the spring. Dayton and surrounding cities have active minor-league baseball seasons (Dayton Dragons) and Memorial Day parades and ceremonies. Nearby cities like Cincinnati and Columbus host major spring festivals around Memorial Day weekend, so expect regional travel activity to rise toward month-end.
For travel from Charleston International Airport (CHS) to Dayton International Airport (DAY) in May, the best time to fly is mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) and in the early morning hours to minimize delays and often find lower fares. Book domestic roundtrips about 3–6 weeks in advance for May travel, and aim to avoid flying on Memorial Day weekend unless necessary. Shoulder-season May travel often offers pleasant weather and moderate fares compared with peak summer months.
On the CHS to DAY route in May, connecting flights are the norm. Nonstop options are rare, so one-stop itineraries via CLT, ATL, or ORD are common. Connecting flights can be cheaper and offer more schedule choices, but they bring additional risk of missed connections and longer total travel time. If minimizing travel time and complexity is a priority, choose the shortest layover with the same airline; if cost is primary, compare one-stop itineraries via different hubs.
In May, the primary carriers to compare for travel from Charleston International Airport (CHS) to Dayton International Airport (DAY) are American Airlines (frequent connections via Charlotte CLT), Delta Air Lines (via Atlanta ATL), and United Airlines (via Chicago ORD or Washington IAD). American often provides the most convenient single-connection itineraries through CLT. Delta offers strong schedule depth via ATL, while United can be a good option if routing through ORD or IAD fits your timing. Consider total journey time, fare class, and baggage/seat fees when comparing May itineraries.
May brings mild, often pleasant weather to both Charleston and Dayton, but spring storms and pollen can affect travel. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and layers for variable temperatures—coastal Charleston can be humid while Dayton mornings may be cool. Bring allergy medication if you are pollen-sensitive. For Memorial Day-end travel, expect higher demand for rental cars and accommodation; reserve early. For smooth airport experiences, arrive early, use mobile check-in, and keep travel documents handy.
Typical single-leg airborne time between Charleston International Airport (CHS) and a hub is around 1 hour 30–2 hours; total itinerary time to Dayton International Airport (DAY) including one connection usually runs 3.5–6 hours. Common connections in May include Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Early morning departures from CHS (6:00–9:00 AM) often connect smoothly and arrive in DAY midday to early afternoon.
To score cheap flights from Charleston International Airport (CHS) to Dayton International Airport (DAY) in May, aim to book 3–6 weeks in advance and remain flexible on travel days. Midweek departures (Tuesday–Thursday) often have lower fares, while Memorial Day weekend at month-end generally increases prices. Use fare comparison tools (Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak) and set alerts for price drops. Consider connecting through alternative hubs and check nearby airports such as Savannah (SAV) or Columbus (CMH) for competitive fares.