Delta Air Lines is expanding its presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) with the introduction of new seasonal, nonstop international service to Cancun, Mexico (CUN). Scheduled to begin on December 20, 2025, the daily service will run through mid-April 2026, marking a notable addition to the carrier’s offerings from the Texas capital.
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The new route will be operated on Delta’s Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring First Class, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin seating. Passengers will have access to free onboard Wi-Fi and in-seat entertainment with a broad selection of content, part of Delta’s standard amenities on these aircraft.
In addition to the Cancun service, Delta is also expanding its domestic schedule from Austin. Service between Austin and Orlando (MCO) will increase to twice daily during the peak winter travel season, providing travelers with both morning and afternoon departure options.
The airline continues to build on recent growth from AUS, including the start of twice-daily service to New Orleans, launched in February 2025. Additional new routes are scheduled in the coming months, with Panama City, Florida (ECP) set to launch in March, followed by Jacksonville (JAX), Indianapolis (IND), and Memphis (MEM) in May. San Francisco (SFO) and Tampa (TPA) routes will begin in June.
With these additions, Delta projects more than a 35% increase in departures from Austin compared to the previous year. The airline positions these expansions as part of a broader effort to strengthen its role as a key carrier in the region.
Travelers departing from Austin also have access to the Delta Sky Club at AUS, which opened in 2019. The lounge includes local design elements and has consistently ranked highly in customer satisfaction within the Southern region.
Delta’s connectivity from Austin extends internationally through partnerships with KLM and Aeromexico, offering additional nonstop options to Amsterdam (AMS) and Mexico City (MEX). These partnerships, along with new routes, are part of the airline’s strategy to provide greater access to both domestic and global destinations from Austin.
Analysis
Previously, American Airlines had been developing a focus city in Austin; however, the airline has since scaled back its operations significantly. According to reports, American pulled back, possibly due to slower-than-expected growth in the region. While Austin experienced a surge in activity driven in part by the tech sector, that momentum has cooled in recent months. As a result, American reduced its presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
American also maintains a major hub in Dallas, which may have made its Austin expansion somewhat counterintuitive from a network planning perspective.
Delta, on the other hand, has taken the opportunity to expand its footprint in Austin. It remains to be seen whether Delta can sustain and grow its route network from AUS over the long term, particularly as the tech sector has yet to fully rebound. However, Delta appears more willing to commit for the long haul, even if it means weathering short-term losses.
