Monday, August 26, 2024 Delta Air Lines is set to further enhance its presence at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) by launching new flights to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in New Orleans, Louisiana, early next year. This latest addition is part of Delta’s ongoing strategy to expand its network and offer more travel options to passengers in Austin. The airline’s growth in Austin is also marked by plans to begin service to Harlingen, Texas, later this fall.
This summer, Delta is operating its most extensive schedule ever at AUS, underscoring its commitment to the region, especially as American Airlines, another major carrier, has opted to scale back its operations at the airport. As per data from aviation analytics provider Cirium, Delta’s new service to New Orleans is slated to commence on February 27, 2025. The airline will offer twice-daily flights on this route, operated by SkyWest Airlines using Embraer E175 aircraft under the Delta Connection brand.
The first flight, DL4016, will take off from Austin at 08:00, landing in New Orleans at 09:35. The second flight of the day, DL3970, will depart AUS at 15:00, arriving at MSY at 16:35. Both flights will return to Austin the same day: DL4016 will depart MSY at 10:15 and arrive back at AUS at 11:50, while DL3970 will leave New Orleans at 17:15 and land in Austin at 18:50.
These new flights highlight Delta’s continued investment in the Austin market, providing more travel options and convenient schedules for passengers traveling between Austin and New Orleans. Serial No Flight Number Origin Departure Time Destination Arrival Time Duration 1 DL4016 Austin–Bergstrom International Airport 08:00 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 09:35 1 hour, 35 min 2 DL4016 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 10:15 Austin–Bergstrom International Airport 11:50 1 hour, 35 min 3 DL3970 Austin–Bergstrom International Airport 15:00 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 16:35 1 hour, 35 min 4 DL3970 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 17:15 Austin–Bergstrom International Airport 18:50 1 hour, 35 min Delta’s Comfortable E175s Set to Challenge Southwest on Austin-New Orleans Route Delta Air Lines is set to enhance its regional jet service by deploying 70-seat Embraer E175 aircraft on its new route between Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Known for their comfort, the Embraer E-jets are a popular choice in regional air travel, offering two different configurations for Delta Connection operations.
For this route, SkyWest Airlines will operate the E175 with a 70-seat capacity, resulting in a total of 140 round-trip seats available daily. The 70-seat E175 aircraft feature a two-class cabin configuration, ensuring a comfortable experience for all passengers. The first class includes 12 seats arranged in a 1-2 configuration, each offering a spacious 20-inch width and a 36-inch pitch, providing ample legroom.
The main cabin, configured in a 2-2 layout, includes 58 seats. Of these, 20 seats are designated as Delta Comfort+ with an 18.3-inch width and a generous 34-inch pitch, while the remaining 38 standard seats have the same width but a slightly reduced pitch of 30-31 inches, depending on seat location.
Passengers on the E175s can enjoy onboard WiFi, allowing them to browse the internet and stream content during their flight. For Delta SkyMiles members, this internet connectivity is complimentary, while non-members can access it for a nominal fee. To keep devices charged throughout the journey, the aircraft are equipped with in-seat USB ports and power outlets.
Delta’s entry into the Austin-New Orleans route brings competition to Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, the only other carrier currently offering this service. Southwest operates multiple daily flights on this popular route, maintaining a strong presence. Delta’s introduction of service, however, is set to provide travelers with an alternative choice.
In March 2025, Delta’s first full month on the Austin-New Orleans route, the airline plans to operate 62 flights in each direction, totaling 124 flights. This equates to 4,340 seats available each way, or 8,680 seats in total for the month. While Southwest still holds a substantial advantage with 248 flights and 38,504 seats scheduled between AUS and MSY in the same month, Delta’s expansion offers passengers more flexibility and choices for their travel plans.
Delta’s strategic deployment of the E175s not only enhances the comfort and experience for travelers but also introduces a competitive edge on this key regional route, promising more options and improved service quality for passengers flying between Austin and New Orleans..
