Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is set to significantly expand its nonstop flight options and overall capacity in 2026, driven by major infrastructure projects and increased airline service. Travelers can anticipate more direct routes to vacation destinations, ski towns, and key Midwest cities, alongside a nearly 9% increase in available seats during the first quarter of the year.
This development comes as ABIA completes crucial expansion work and Southwest Airlines, the airport's dominant carrier, establishes a new crew base in Austin. The changes aim to enhance passenger experience and connectivity, despite ongoing challenges with air traffic controller staffing.
Key Takeaways
- ABIA expects a nearly 9% increase in available seats in early 2026.
- Southwest Airlines is adding new nonstop routes and establishing a crew base.
- Airport expansion projects, including a new terminal wing and upgraded baggage system, are nearing completion.
- New nonstop flights target vacation spots, ski towns, and Midwest hubs.
- Air traffic controller shortages may still cause some ground delays.
Southwest Airlines Leads the Expansion
Southwest Airlines is at the forefront of ABIA's growth, preparing for its busiest summer ever in Austin. The airline plans to increase its maximum daily departures from 109 in January to an unprecedented 132 flights per day between June and August.
A significant factor in this expansion is Southwest's new crew base, launching in March. This base allows pilots and flight attendants to start and end their shifts in Austin, promising more reliable service and additional nonstop flights. The city of Austin and the state of Texas have invested millions to support Southwest's hiring spree, which is expected to create around 2,000 new jobs.
"The benefits go to the traveling public," stated airport CEO Ghizlane Badawi. "The crew base will mean more nonstop Southwest flights and greater reliability, especially when it gets busy or if there's bad weather."
Southwest's New Nonstop Destinations (Seasonal/Permanent)
- Hayden/Steamboat Springs, CO (seasonal, March-April)
- Fort Myers, FL (seasonal, March-April)
- Palm Springs, CA (seasonal, March-June)
- Pensacola, FL (daily, March-April)
- Cincinnati, OH (daily, June-August)
- Seattle, WA (seasonal return, June-August)
In addition to new routes, Southwest is increasing flight frequencies to Indianapolis (three daily flights) and San Francisco (two daily flights Monday-Friday) over the summer.
Airport Infrastructure Projects Near Completion
Several long-anticipated airport expansion projects are set to open in the first half of 2026, significantly boosting ABIA's capacity and amenities. These upgrades are critical for handling the increased flight volume.
Terminal Upgrades and New Gates
Checkpoint 3, which has been under renovation for nearly two years, will reopen in early 2026. It will feature more TSA screening lanes and additional ticket counters, aiming to reduce wait times for travelers. A major 80,000-square-foot expansion on the west end of the Barbara Jordan Terminal is also slated to open in the spring. This expansion includes three new gates, a children's play area, and a dedicated pet relief zone.
South Terminal Relocation
The new terminal space will accommodate the relocation of discount airlines Allegiant and Frontier from the South Terminal. After a legal dispute, the city paid $88 million to acquire the South Terminal site. This will allow for its demolition to make way for new taxiways and a future concourse with at least 20 gates, planned for the early 2030s. Allegiant will move to the Barbara Jordan Terminal in February, with Frontier following suit.
Advanced Baggage Handling System
Behind the scenes, a $241 million upgrade to ABIA's outbound baggage handling system was activated ahead of schedule. The new system can process over 4,000 bags per hour, more than double the previous capacity. Airport officials expect this improvement to reduce potential flight delays caused by baggage processing.
Delta and Other Airlines Expand Service
Delta Air Lines, now ABIA's second-largest carrier, continues its expansion. Following new nonstop service to Denver, Miami, and Cancún in late 2025, Delta plans to add more destinations in 2026.
Delta's New Nonstop Destinations
- Columbus, OH (starting June 7)
- Kansas City, MO (starting June 7)
- Bozeman, MT (seasonal, June-September)
- Kalispell, MT (seasonal, June-September)
- Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport, FL (seasonal, June-September)
Delta is also extending its nonstop service to San José del Cabo through April 12 and increasing daily service to Palm Springs through March 7, returning to Saturday-only thereafter.
American Airlines will offer special event flights to Augusta, Georgia, for the Masters Tournament in April, and to Louisville, Kentucky, for the Kentucky Derby. Lufthansa is introducing its new Allegris Business Class service on its Frankfurt route, flying Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in winter, increasing to five times a week in summer.
British Airways will double its daily service to London Heathrow starting March 29. Copa Airlines added a fifth weekly flight to Panama City in December and January, which will resume from April to August. JetBlue, which began twice-daily service to Fort Lauderdale in November, will reduce it to once daily from January 7 to February 11.
Challenges Remain with Air Traffic Control
Despite the significant growth and infrastructure improvements, travelers at ABIA may still experience ground delays due to a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sent more trainees to Austin, but staffing levels remain about half of the jointly recommended targets by the FAA and the union.
This shortage has led to increased ground delays, where flights bound for Austin are held at their departure airports to prevent the local control tower from becoming overwhelmed. With a substantial increase in flights planned for 2026, these unexpected delays could continue to affect travel plans.
The ongoing controller shortage highlights a critical bottleneck in the nation's air travel system. While Austin's airport is physically expanding and airlines are adding service, the human element of air traffic management remains a significant hurdle.
Impact on Low-Cost Carriers
The relocation of Allegiant and Frontier to the Barbara Jordan Terminal will mean higher operating fees for these airlines. These increased costs are likely to be passed on to passengers. Both carriers are planning to reduce their schedules in early 2026.
Frontier will suspend service to Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia from January through early March. Allegiant's offerings will shrink from seven destinations to four (Cincinnati, Des Moines, Grand Rapids, and Provo) from February through May.
Viva (formerly Viva Aerobus) faced a setback with its planned nonstop service from Austin to Mexico City's Felipe Ángeles Airport. A U.S. Department of Transportation order canceled this route, along with 12 others between the U.S. and the airport, due to a dispute over U.S. flight expansion into Mexico. It is unclear when these flights might be allowed to proceed.
Overall, 2026 promises a transformed travel experience at ABIA, offering more choices for destinations and improved airport facilities. However, passengers should remain aware of potential air traffic control-related delays as the airport navigates its rapid growth.