Lufthansa Starting Nonstop Service Between Frankfurt and Austin in 2019
In the vein of keeping Austin weird, Lufthansa is adding one of the more unique routes we've seen of late: nonstop service between Frankfurt and the capital of Texas. Beginning May 3, 2019, the carrier will link the two cities for the first time, part of a much larger shift that will see five Airbus A380s transfer from Frankfurt to Munich next summer. In fact, the new flight from FRA to AUS is among the only positive news for the base, with the rest of the love seemingly directed at Munich.
Three Airbus A320 are also being moved from the Frankfurt hub to Munich to support the expansion of feeder traffic, while three smaller Bombardier CRJ900 will be transferred from Munich to Frankfurt in exchange. All of the moving and shaking is part of a corporate decision to "accelerate its growth at the Munich location and develop the Bavarian capital into a hub with a focus on Asia," which will include Lufthansa's first-ever nonstop flight between Munich to Bangkok and moving its nonstop service to Osaka from Frankfurt to Munich.
The carrier is giving its base in Munich a "5-Star" designation, which will enable "additional First Class offerings." Moreover, "the majority of the Frankfurt-based A340-600 fleet will be moved to Munich." In a release, Lufthansa asserts that it will "curb its growth at this hub [Frankfurt] in order to improve on-time ratings and operational stability."
No details are being shared just yet on what type of aircraft will service the Frankfurt to Austin route, nor details on daily timings.
Those following ongoings in Austin likely aren't shocked to hear the news. Delta announced earlier this year that it would be planting a Sky Club in AUS, British Airways flies there daily from London Heathrow and Norwegian flies there seasonally from London Gatwick.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app