<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by StacyCat:
One thing that really is bad is that Austin is right outside the milliage for a nonstop flight into New York. every flight has to make a connection.</font>
To get really technical about it, that restriction (1500 miles) is only placed on LGA. There's nothing statutory to prevent non-stop AUS-JFK, or, as
dbaker has already pointed out, AUS-EWR flights.
AA skirts the issue with one-stop flights to LGA with brief (>30 min.) stops in HOU. While not non-stop, they take only a bit longer, and avoid the mess of DFW and ORD.
I'd agree with everyone else who has "helped" narrow your choices to CO or AA. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that both of these airlines have clubs/lounges at AUS--a big plus over DL, in my book. If you're going to be travelling frequently, you'll want to spend some miles (or maybe some cash) on a club membership.
Also, on DL there's the chance you'll be flying on an RJ. AA and CO eliminate that possibility.
I'm (obviously) partial to AA, but there is an argument that can be (and has been) made for CO, especially if you fly primarily domestic. If you do choose AA, head on over to the AA board and do some research on Gold/Platinum challenges to get you to elite status faster.
UA out of AUS? Fuhgeddaboutit. 6 flights a day, and you have to go to either DEN (3 flights) or ORD (3 flights), and on ex-Sh*ttle planes, to boot (at least, that's what I always see parked out there in the morning).
WN? Well, they do have a great cargo operation out of AUS, but that's as much credit as I'm willing to give 'em.
[This message has been edited by SuperSlug (edited 07-10-2002).]