Delta Air Lines is continuing to expand its footprint in Austin. Fresh on the heels of a new gate use agreement at the Central Texas airport, the Atlanta based carrier is launching direct service to Asheville, North Carolina later this year.
Delta is Launching Saturday-Only Summer Service Between Austin and Asheville
Beginning June 13, 2026, Delta will launch Saturday-only service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). The service will operate on Saturdays through September 5, 2026. The carrier is also planning additional frequencies around the July 4th holiday.
Asheville joins Bozeman, MT (BZM), Kalispell, MT (FCA), and Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, FL (VPS) as Delta’s summer seasonal, Saturday-only, destinations from Austin.
The route will be flown by Embraer E175 regional jet aircraft operated by SkyWest under the Delta Connection banner. SkyWest’s E175s are outfitted with 12 First Class, 20 Comfort+, and 44 Economy class seats. Flights will operate on the following schedule:
| Flight | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| DL3612 (AUS-AVL) | 12:59 | 4:29p |
| DL3612 (AVL-AUS) | 5:10p | 6:50p |
With the launch of service between Austin and Asheville, Delta will compete head-to-head with ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Allegiant Air on the route. Allegiant also operates the route on a seasonal, less than daily frequency.
My Thoughts
This is a route that I have been hoping for for quite some time. American Airlines used to operate the route when they had a focus city in Austin but, over the last few years, Allegiant has been the only game in town. With Delta’s continued buildup of Austin as a focus city (and eventual hub) I’m excited to see this route on the schedule for 2026.
While the frequencies aren’t fantastic at only 1x weekly, it is still the most convenient way for us to travel between the two cities. I already have tickets booked over 4th of July and I hope we see the airline continue to operate the route with an expanded schedule as we move forward.
Summary
Delta is continuing its expansion in Austin with the launch of Saturday-only service to Asheville this summer. The route will operate using Embraer 175 regional jets operated by SkyWest on behalf of Delta Connection. Personally, I’m excited about this service and hope that it performs well!