Delta Air Lines Adds 5 New Routes From Austin After American Airlines’ Exit

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is expanding even further at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) with the addition of five new routes set to begin next year. It comes as American Airlines has been actively downsizing its presence at the airport, leaving plenty of demand vacant.

Delta just operated its largest schedule ever at AUS this summer. This fall, the carrier will begin a new intra-Texas route to Harlingen, while new service to New Orleans is set to commence early next year.

2 aircraft types, 5 new routes

Independent aviation blog Ishrion Aviation first reported the news on Friday. Delta will add new flights from AUS to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), Memphis International Airport (MEM), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Tampa International Airport (TPA).

The routes will begin over a three-month period, with the first – AUS-ECP – starting on March 9, 2025. On May 7th, AUS-IND and AUS-MEM will commence, followed by AUS-SFO and AUS-TPA, beginning on June 8th. All five routes will be offered daily, according to Ishrion Aviation. Additionally, Delta will deploy two aircraft types on the routes: the Embraer E175operated by SkyWest Airlines under the Delta Connection regional brand, and its mainline Airbus A220-300.

Inside the E175 & A220-300

SkyWest has two different configurations of the E175 for its Delta Connection operations. One model seats 70 passengersand the other accommodates 76. Both versions have a total of 12 first class seats. The 70-seat model accommodates 58 passengers in the main cabin, while the 76-seat model has a main cabin capacity of 64 passengers. Each version has 20 main cabin seats, branded as Delta Comfort+, which offer more legroom.

WiFi is equipped on the E175s, allowing passengers to surf the web and stay entertained by streaming content to their devices. Thanks to in-seat USB ports and power outlets, travelers can also keep their electronic devices charged.

Delta’s A220-300s accommodate 130 passengers in a two-class configuration. In first class, there are 12 recliner seats in a 2-2 layout. The main cabin comprises 118 seats in a 2-3 layout – 30 of which are Delta Comfort+ seats. The aircraft also has WiFi, USB in-seat power ports, AC power outlets, and seatback screens with live satellite TV.

Increasing departures by 50%

Simple Flying contacted Delta on Saturday for comment on the new routes. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed the development, but said more will be shared on Monday.

The SkyTeam Alliance member is picking up the slack left by American, which formerly operated flights from AUS to ECP, IND, MEM, and TPA. Since American canceled AUS-MEM, the route has been unserved. However, low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines currently operates AUS-ECP, AUS-IND, and AUS-TPA.

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

AUS-SFO is particularly unique for Delta. The airline will go head-to-head with Alaska Airlines and United Airlines on the route. Ishrion Aviation noted that Delta could likely be targeting the popular business market between Austin and the Bay Area.

Once the new routes commence, the airline will operate more than 50 daily departures from AUS to 22 destinations. It is about a 50% increase in departures compared to Delta’s AUS operation late last year.