ATLANTA– Delta Air Lines (DL) will launch daily nonstop flights between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in March 2027, adding another domestic destination to its growing Austin network.
The new service will connect the Texas capital with the Bentonville and Fayetteville region, with SkyWest Airlines (OO) operating Embraer 175 aircraft under the Delta Connection brand. Flights from Austin will begin on March 7, 2027, while the return service starts on March 8.
Delta Expands Austin Network With New Northwest Arkansas Flights
The new Austin-Northwest Arkansas route represents another step in Delta’s strategy to strengthen its presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The airline has been expanding its domestic and international network to attract more business and leisure travelers.
Delta considers Austin one of its important non-hub focus cities. Its expansion includes additional connections to major business markets, technology centres and popular leisure destinations.
The new Northwest Arkansas service will provide direct access to a region with significant corporate and educational activity. Bentonville is home to Walmart’s corporate headquarters, making the area an important destination for business travelers.
Northwest Arkansas National Airport also serves passengers travelling to Fayetteville, including those visiting the University of Arkansas. The airport provides access to communities across northwest Arkansas and nearby parts of Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.
The new connection will eliminate the need for passengers travelling between Austin and Northwest Arkansas to rely on connecting flights through other airports, TPG reported.
Delta Plans Up to 70 Daily Departures From Austin
Delta has increased its Austin operations considerably over the past several years as it seeks a stronger position in the competitive Central Texas aviation market.
In 2019, the airline operated 28 peak-day departures from Austin-Bergstrom. Its expansion plans now target up to 70 daily departures by March 2027, according to Delta Chief Commercial Officer Joe Esposito.
The airline’s growing network includes several important business and leisure destinations. These include San Jose in California’s Silicon Valley, Bozeman in Montana, and Cancun in Mexico.
Delta is also preparing to introduce nonstop service between Austin and Paris, giving the Texas capital another international connection.
The airline has also focused on attracting corporate travelers. Esposito previously said Delta wanted to become Austin’s leading corporate carrier while developing more connecting opportunities through the airport.
However, Delta has not announced plans to designate Austin as an official hub.
The additional Northwest Arkansas route supports this strategy by connecting two economically active regions with growing business communities.
Delta Austin-Northwest Arkansas Flight Schedule
Delta’s new service will operate daily using an Embraer 175 regional aircraft operated by SkyWest Airlines under the Delta Connection brand.
The first flight from Austin to Northwest Arkansas is scheduled for March 7, 2027. The return service will begin the following morning.
The published schedule is as follows:
| Flight Route | Departure | Arrival | Start Date | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin (AUS) to Northwest Arkansas (XNA) | 8:59 PM | 10:49 PM | March 7, 2027 | Daily |
| Northwest Arkansas (XNA) to Austin (AUS) | 6:00 AM | 7:50 AM | March 8, 2027 | Daily |
All times are local. Flight schedules and frequencies are subject to change.
The overnight aircraft rotation will allow passengers travelling from Austin to reach Northwest Arkansas late in the evening, while the early-morning return flight will provide a connection back to Central Texas.
The Embraer 175 will feature Delta First, Delta Comfort and Delta Main seating options, offering passengers different cabin choices on the regional service.
Luis Guitart, Delta’s Austin-based regional sales manager, said the new route reflected the airline’s continued investment in Austin and its commitment to improving connectivity for the local community.
Tickets for the new service are available through Delta’s booking channels.
Delta and Southwest Compete for Growth at Austin Airport
Delta’s expansion comes as Southwest Airlines (WN) continues to maintain its position as the largest airline at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Both airlines are preparing to increase their operations in 2027, with Southwest also planning its largest-ever schedule from Austin.
The competitive growth reflects increasing demand from business and leisure travelers in the Austin metropolitan area.
Delta is also planning to expand its airport facilities. The airline intends to develop a second, larger Delta Sky Club lounge at Austin-Bergstrom in the coming years.
The planned lounge expansion would complement its growing flight network and provide additional facilities for its premium and frequent-flyer customers.
As Delta increases its daily departures, the additional routes and airport investments could strengthen its position in the Austin market.
Northwest Arkansas Airport Records Strong Growth in Flights
The new Austin connection will also contribute to the growing air service network at Northwest Arkansas National Airport.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium data cited by The Points Guy, XNA was projected to handle 28% more total flights in 2026 than it did in 2024.
Delta already serves the Northwest Arkansas region from five major hubs: Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
The Austin addition will provide another direct connection to Delta’s network, improving access between Northwest Arkansas and Central Texas.
The route also restores nonstop connectivity between Austin and XNA after a previous service operated by Allegiant Air in 2021. The new daily operation will provide another travel option for passengers between the two regions.
With the addition of Austin, Northwest Arkansas will continue expanding its nonstop destination network to meet growing business and leisure travel demand.
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