✈️ Flight Guide: Orlando (MCO) → Reno (RNO)

Major events that push up demand and economy fares at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) include the Reno Air Races (when held), Burning Man (nearby Black Rock City inflates regional travel), Reno River Festival in May, and ski season weekends (December–March) for Lake Tahoe transfers. Large conventions and summer festivals in Reno also raise local flight prices. To avoid inflated economy fares, travel outside event weekends, book well ahead for known events, or consider arriving into alternate airports like Sacramento (SMF) and driving to your destination.

The best times to fly from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) for cheapest economy fares are typically January (post-holiday), late April, September, and early November—shoulder-season months when demand is lower. Book domestic economy flights 3–8 weeks ahead in shoulder seasons and 8–12+ weeks for peak summer and holiday travel. For last-minute savings, check late-August and early-December windows and be flexible with departures midweek or overnight to find the lowest economy fares.

Direct nonstop flights from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) save time and reduce connection risk but can carry a premium in economy class, especially during peak travel. Connecting flights often offer cheaper economy fares by routing through hubs like Denver (DEN) or Salt Lake City (SLC), though total travel time and layover risk increase. For cheapest economy travel, compare both options: if savings exceed 20–30% and layover times are reasonable, a connecting itinerary is usually worth it. Prioritize reliable connection airports and allow at least 60–90 minutes for domestic connections.

Major carriers operating from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) include Southwest Airlines (often the best for domestic economy base fares and two free checked bags on many fares), Alaska Airlines (competitive transcon and West Coast service with good loyalty perks), American Airlines (network connectivity), Delta Air Lines (hub connections), and United Airlines (hub access to central/U.S. cities). For the absolute cheapest economy fares, compare Southwest and seasonal discount fares on other carriers; factor in baggage fees and seat-selection charges when comparing total cost. Remember that basic economy tickets on legacy carriers may be cheaper upfront but add fees for bags and seats.

Winter: Book early for ski season and allow extra time for winter weather delays; bundle ski shuttles with flights to save. Spring: Target March–April shoulder-season economy deals; watch for Spring Break pricing spikes. Summer: Reserve 8–12+ weeks out for July travel and consider flying into nearby airports to lower costs. Fall: September–October usually offer the best economy fares with pleasant weather and lower crowds. In all seasons, use fare alerts, search flexible dates, and consider alternate airports like Sacramento (SMF) or Truckee to access Lake Tahoe at lower overall cost.

Typical nonstop flight times from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) include: Reno to Las Vegas (LAS) about 1h 10m, Reno to Los Angeles (LAX) about 1h 25m, Reno to San Francisco (SFO) about 1h 10m, Reno to Denver (DEN) about 2h 15m, and Reno to Seattle (SEA) about 2h 15m. Economy schedules are denser on popular routes (LAS, LAX, SFO) with multiple daily departures; early-morning and late-evening flights often have lower fares. Check airline schedules for seasonal service changes and use flexible-time searches to match cheapest economy fares with convenient flight times.

To find cheap flights from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in economy class, use a multi-pronged approach: set fare alerts on Google Flights and Skyscanner, search flexible dates and nearby airports (Sacramento SMF), and consider low-cost carriers and midweek departures. Look for flash sales in January and late August, and consider connecting itineraries through Denver or Salt Lake City for significant savings. Primary keywords to use when searching include 'cheap flights RNO', 'Reno economy fares', and 'Reno to [destination] cheapest economy'.