Road trips

Dallas luxury motorcoach Vonlane expands service and lowers select fares to 2 Texas cities

Vonlane's on the road even more now.

Courtesy photo

In a major turnaround from the raging pandemic times of 2020 and 2021, travel demand is now exceeding expectations in Texas, and Dallas-based Vonlane is hitting the road more frequently to get travelers where they want to go.

According to a February 7 release, the luxury bus operator has introduced 24 new departures per week to its two most popular routes, Dallas-Austin and Dallas-Houston (both ways). In addition, Vonlane is lowering fares to $89 on select departures for a limited time. More on that in a sec.

The newly added departures are:

Dallas-Austin: 8 am and 8 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Friday
Austin-Dallas: 8 am and 8 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Friday
Dallas-Houston: 7 am and 8:30 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Friday
Houston-Dallas: 7 am and 8:30 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Friday

For the first time, Vonlane offers service every two hours between Dallas and Austin, beginning am 6 am, both ways. There now are eight daily trips between Dallas and Houston on these days, beginning at 6 am.

A more limited schedule operates in all cities on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Last year, Vonlane also revived service between Dallas and Oklahoma City, a route that had been on hold due to the pandemic. It is the only route outside of Texas, although service to Nashville and Atlanta had been announced, pre-COVID.

Now, for the incentive: To help travelers get back on track for business and leisure travel in 2022, the company is offering $89 one-way fares for late departure times, but only through the end of February. (Normal fares are $99-$109.) The reduced fares apply to departures at 7:30 pm, 8 pm, and 8:30 pm in Dallas, Austin, and Houston.

Vonlane launched its high-end bus service in 2014 with the Dallas-to-Austin route. Each bus, which holds fewer than two dozen passengers, features amenities like Wi-Fi, satellite TV and radio, and leather seats. For many Texas travelers, it's become a convenient way to bypass the hassles of airline travel in recent years.

"Vonlane’s signature experience — including a spacious cabin, leather chairs, complimentary wifi and snacks, and on-board crew service — has created a loyal following of travelers throughout Texas and Oklahoma," the company says in the release.

For more information, schedules, and booking, visit the website.

transportation

hotel news

Grand Hyatt hotel at DFW Airport unveils $34 million renovation

Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt DFW

All rooms at the Grand Hyatt DFW face the airport's runways.

The DFW Airport's on-site Terminal D hotel, Grand Hyatt DFW Airport, has just completed its $34 million renovation in less than a year.

Renovations began in July 2025 in celebration of its 20th anniversary, and coincided with the DFW Airport's ongoing $9 billion renovation plan. According to general manager Jeff Babcock, the hotel's transformation was a strategic process to show gratitude and "give back to the travelers and members of the community that supported [the hotel] during the last two decades."

"The entire renovation of the property solidifies our legacy as the premier hotel and event center supporting the international airport and connecting travelers to the Dallas Fort Worth culture and community,” Babcock says in a press release.

Among the shiny new features are the fully renovated guest rooms and suites (which have been increased from its original 298 rooms to 315), a "reimagined" Grand Met restaurant, and an updated 20,000-square-foot top-floor meeting and event space, executive board room, and an expansive indoor/outdoor rooftop flight-deck event space that overlooks the DFW Airport's runways.

Grand Hyatt DFW Airport hotel $34 million renovation, King Room In addition to new beds, stitched leather headboards, and integrated lighting, all guest rooms also feature large HD flat screen TVs and new charging ports.Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt DFW

Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt DFW

All rooms at the Grand Hyatt DFW face the airport's runways.

The Grand Hyatt also claims its renovated 6,600-square-foot ballroom makes the hotel "a leading conference destination and event center at DFW and around the area."

The hotel lobby remains just steps away from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Terminal D checkpoint, and was remodeled with "luxurious marble tile flooring, rich wooden paneling, and artwork created by local artists," the press release says. Additional upgrades were made to the on-site fitness center, which was relocated to the first-floor "to better accommodate health and fitness needs" and is now outfitted with Peloton bicycles.

"The transformation of Grand Hyatt DFW is a major milestone in the ongoing evolution of our airport and an investment in the experience we deliver to customers every day," says DFW CEO Chris McLaughlin in the release. "As one of the most consistently and highly awarded airport hotels, this property sets the standard for convenience, comfort and Southern hospitality. The reimagining of the property ensures it will continue to be a premier destination in North Texas and a powerful reflection of DFW’s commitment to excellence as we serve a growing global community."

Room rates at the Grand Hyatt DFW Airport begin at $296 for World of Hyatt Members, and standard rates begin at $329 per night in February.

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