Originally Posted by
austin_res
AUS-ORD: connecting in ORD seems redundant with connecting opportunities in DFW, and even more so with PHL and CLT now in the network. I can see AUS-ORD focus primarily on O/D traffic which could result in the flights being moved to regional jets if connecting traffic is rerouted through DFW, CLT, and PHL.
I'm not sure I'd expect to see that much change at AUS -- though maybe some capacity would be shifted from ORD to PHL to better serve passengers going to the Northeast.
Operating a short flight like AUS-DFW has some pretty serious operational advantages, particularly with DFW being re-banked; you can take a plane that might not have time for a turn anywhere else and push it into service on a short route. And "shuttle" service like that is about the only way you can get people away from their cars for a short route.