With all due respect, you're objectively wrong on the Austin front.

I'll agree to disagree with you on the Houston front, but the Austin toss in there is just completely contrary to what is actually going on with air service in Austin right now.

You are correct on the Austin front for sure. No airline uses it as a hub, and there is little capacity for more flights at current terminals. No one would waste a slot for a sub 90 mile commuter flight there - even if there was a commuter hub.

Houston might happen - just depends on United. I'd bet against it.

The real issue is there aren't the pilots to fly the planes. That may be getting better with some freight pilots coming over to the carriers. But it takes planes and pilots to make service happen and I just don't see it taking off with IAH at 90 min drive. American can make it work because of the distance and their extensive network. If anyone else does it Delta will to Atlanta. I'm sure it has been considered and will be again. I wouldn't bet either way on it - unless someone figures out a subsidy. I think that's unlikely.

I would love to see train service to IAH. (From Easterwood.). Park at Eaasterwood, go through security, ride the train go IAH, and be dropped off next to your terminal.

Buford T. Justice said:

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I would love to see train service to IAH. (From Easterwood.). Park at Eaasterwood, go through security, ride the train go IAH, and be dropped off next to your terminal.

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If you are going to ask for impossibilities just go straight to teleportation.

I'll even take it a step further to say space won't even be an issue next year. AA is dropping like 35 destinations from Austin and pulling back from looking at Austin as a focus city, which is why I said what Yancy put out there was not grounded in reality.

You're completely right about a universal pilot shortage though.

There will be others demanding more space in Austin. Any gates will fill. They are adding 3-4 gates right now (West Expansion) but the new 40 gate remote terminal is on hold due to legal challenges by the South Terminal occupants.

American Airlines is the city bus of airlines. Although they have gotten better. I wish United would make a comeback, or even Delta (but you'd have to go the Atlanta).

Easterwood is way easier to get thru with the kids. Also when work pays for the trip.

No way United is coming back. The flight from Easterwood to IAH is too short and the drive has shortened to where it doesn't save any time getting to IAH flying vs driving. DFW is a different story because it's a 3+ hour drive.

I could see AA adding another flight for sure. I fly out of CS pretty regularly and the flights have been full for a while and the prices are back up again. So they are filling the flights they have at pretty high rates. I'm not a Delta flyer but a direct to Atlanta would be very helpful for this area. But I'm not sure if the numbers work for Delta. You are flying people basically to the far east, so it immediately doesn't make time sense for anyone trying to fly out of CS and head west. DFW works for AA because it's so central. Maybe a flight to Denver but I'm not sure who would run that route.

pattybrhg said:

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I'll even take it a step further to say space won't even be an issue next year. AA is dropping like 35 destinations from Austin and pulling back from looking at Austin as a focus city, which is why I said what Yancy put out there was not grounded in reality.

You're completely right about a universal pilot shortage though.

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What about Texas Air? A new regional puddle jumper with 8 aircraft shuttling among Texas cities? I understand there are at least two feasibility studies underway.

Who? I've never heard of them and a quick Google search didn't turn up anything by that name.

AgProgrammer said:

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Who? I've never heard of them and a quick Google search didn't turn up anything by that name.

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Apparently I've said too much. Let me put it another way with a question: A) when is the last time anyone got on an empty flight at easterwood and B) is our community getting smaller anytime soon?

Park N Fly has Texas sized spaces if you're willing to park away from the terminal.

Seems like Delta would be able to support a flight or two out of Atlanta in the fall - direct access outside of the state would be big - though likely not feasible.

San Antonio would maybe be a better connection from here than Austin for Southwest maybe