American Airlines began a new nonstop service from Austin to Seattle on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The first flight departed from Austin at 8:15 a.m. at Gate 13 after the inaugural service celebration. American’s new, daily nonstop between Austin and Seattle will not only be convenient, it’s productive for business.

"Microsoft has more than 150 employees being serviced by ABIA in the Austin area. Collectively, we fly to the Seattle area at least 500 times a year. This nonstop flight will save our employees and company more than 2,000 hours of travel time. Combine that with our new Windows Mobile 6.0 platform and Microsoft gains another full employee year of productivity," said Scott Emigh, Director of Microsoft Technology Center South Central District (of U.S.), based in Austin. "The Austin and Seattle markets are important to American and its customers," said Henry Joyner, American's Senior Vice President - Planning. "We've done very well with our other flights between Austin and the West Coast - we expect this one to be a success as well."

The services are operated with 136-seat MD80 aircraft featuring 16 First Class and 120 Main Cabin seats. The schedule for American's service between Austin and Seattle, effective April 10, 2007 is as follows: Flight 1893 departs Austin 8:15a.m arriving in Seattle 10:25a.m; Flight 1960 departs Seattle 3:55p.m arriving in Austin 9:55p.m.

“This new service to Seattle has been desired by business and leisure travelers,” said Jim Smith, Executive Director, City of Austin Aviation Dept. “The schedule allows one to fly to Seattle for business and return in the same day. Leisure travelers from Austin will be able to more easily reach the recreational destinations of the American Northwest as well as facilitating travelers from Seattle coming for fun in Austin.”