https://x.com/xjonnyc/status/1951042012981109163?s=46&t=99zjwpClQbiW_TOEUoTaSA

Yes, this is the precursor to a AUS 320 pilot base.
Yes, it will happen when the new terminal goes up in 2030 and Delta gets its gates.

AUS in the next Delta hub

 

if this is a precursor to a pilot base, i guess this means we will have vegas, orlando, fort lauderdale, raleigh, and dallas pilot domiciles also.

 

Austin is a permanent base right out of the gate. None of the bases above, save MCO are permanent bases. We’ve had a MCO pilot base before it just didn’t stick.

Most of every else is a satellite base with no management scene. AUS will have FA management and is not a “satellite” base of anything else.

 

Yippee. That means we’re also getting pilot bases in MCO, TPA, FLL/MIA, CVG, RDU, DFW, PHX, LAS, SFO, PDX, and HNL. Can’t wait! /s

Edit: OOfff beat me to it.

 

Nah 99% of those are fake satellite bases this is real stuff. Delta throwing way more resources at AUS & plays a role of plugging DL’s TX network gap.

AUS is already Delta’s largest focus city operation which is set to more than triple in 2030 with new gates. It’s also primarily all 320 operations & very few 220 meaning a base is much easier to realize vs BOS with 7ER, 73N, 320, & 220 operations.

 

There are no more “temporary” FA bases. All of the trial bases were announced as permanent within the past year. Some of the ones I listed, such as FLL/MIA, MCO, CVG, SFO, PDX, and HNL have been open for decades. AUS is now a mix of 320, 220, 73N, and SkyWest. Conducive to an FA base, but not a pilot base.

Five years in the airline industry is an eternity. What Delta decides to do with AUS between now and then is anyone’s guess. Southwest still eclipses Delta there (in a huge way), and will absolutely draw up a play for those gates as well. Until dozens of Delta airplanes are sitting at AUS gates with the APU turned off in July, a hub is pure speculation.

 

You do know RDU is a hub right?

BOS is a base because they got to reduce pilot excess Credit. They should’ve added 320 or 220 already. The crew room is in E concourse, which it means we will not see any more pilot bases there.

MCO has more Pax and baggage than LGA per month. It’s not a hub, because delta keeps the flying up to the max before that have to make it a hub. That way they save money in extra personnel.

 

RDU is not a hub. It's a focus city. MCO has more pax and bags than LGA because its like 95% mainline vs LGA which is majority business pax on RJs.

 

AUS has no 73N operation it is overwhelmingly 320 and RJ. Maybe the one off 73N.
Southwest is losing market share month over and month and Delta is gaining and has surpassed AA. The trend is in DL’s favor.. 5 years will close that gap.

Southwest has publicly stated they’re going towards the hub & spoke model which AUS is not. HOU & DAL are. It would go against Elliot & their strategy to grow Austin when they don’t have the funds or planes after fending off AA’s AUS build-up. WN in general is foundering and doesn’t compete in DL’s business market.

The second largest Skyclub in the system will be built in AUS, the airport is mirroring ATL hub-design, DL has a massive network gap in TX, and it’s been the fastest growing DL station in the system this past 2-3 years. Even Baldoni has stated AUS is beginning to act as a connection hub and they’ve been happy with its success.

5-ish years is awhile in the airline work but not long in reality. So far, everything has logically pointed towards Delta building up AUS as a hub and the trends have been favorable. Out of any station in the system is has the best chance of being the next hub/base.

 

Southwest has closed their FA base in AUS. It would be highly unlikely to see them ramp things back up.