American Airlines to Cut Several Nonstop Routes from Austin in Network Adjustment

Travelers flying out of Austin will soon see reduced options for nonstop flights as American Airlines plans to discontinue several routes. Starting in October, the airline will cease its direct flights from Austin to popular destinations including Las Vegas, Orlando, New Orleans, Reno, and Palm Springs.

The decision comes as part of American’s ongoing strategy to optimize its network to better align with its business goals. “As part of the continuous evaluation of our network, American will reduce service from Austin starting in October,” a spokesperson for American Airlines told Travel + Leisure. The airline has begun notifying affected customers and expressed apologies for any inconvenience the changes may cause.

The last flights to Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Orlando are scheduled for Sunday, October 6. Services to Reno and Palm Springs, which were operated as seasonal offerings, will not be resumed.

This move is in line with comments from American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, who emphasized the company’s commitment to strategic adjustments during a July 2024 earnings call. “We are taking this challenge head-on, with clear and decisive actions to deliver on a strategy that maximizes our revenue and profitability, and importantly, one that makes it easy for customers to do business with American,” Isom stated.

These changes follow similar adjustments by Allegiant Airlines, which also announced route reductions and the closure of their crew base at Austin’s airport, primarily due to a terminal closure for upcoming construction.

Despite these route cancellations, Austin Airport has been experiencing a surge in traffic, reaching a record 22 million passengers in 2023. The airport is currently expanding its facilities, including the construction of a new Terminal B and a redesign of the arrivals and departures hall, signaling continued growth and development in response to high demand.