Flight News

U.S. grounds planned flight from Austin to popular Mexico destination

Viva Aerobus service from Austin to Mexico City's new airport.

Photo courtesy of Viva Aerobus

As part of a broader U.S. Department of Transportation clampdown on U.S.-Mexico flights, a planned nonstop flight between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Mexico City’s new Felipe Angeles International Airport has been canceled.

The Department of Transportation order also affects nonstop flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Mexico City.

Viva Aerobus was supposed to launch a nonstop between Austin and Felipe Angeles on November 20. The route — the only one between Austin and Felipe Angeles (NLU) — would have operated Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays on Viva’s 186-seat A320 jet.

NLU, nearly 30 miles outside Mexico City, is an alternative to the region’s main airport, Benito Juárez International Airport. The new airport opened in 2022.

Despite Austin’s loss of the NLU route, AUS passengers can still book nonstop flights to five destinations in Mexico — Cancun, Monterey, Mexico City (Benito Juárez), Puerto Vallarta, and San Jose Del Cabo. Viva operates the AUS-Monterrey route.

In all, the Department of Transportation axed 13 existing or planned routes between the U.S. and Mexico. In addition to the AUS-Felipe Angeles route, the agency eliminated proposed DFW-NLU and IAH-NLU routes on Viva. It also cut Aeromexico’s current route between IAH and NLU.

This summer, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Mexico about the potential cancellation of U.S.-Mexico routes due to that country’s “blatant disregard of the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement and its ongoing anti-competitive behavior." He said that "Mexico has promised to level the playing field but remains unwilling to address the United States’ concerns.”

Duffy’s agency asserts that Mexico has illegally cancelled or frozen U.S. flights for three years “without consequences. All the while, Mexican carriers have been adding new routes and services between [Mexico City] and the United States.”

At a recent news conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she disagreed with the U.S. decision to revoke approval of the 13 Mexican airline routes to the U.S., Reuters reported. Sheinbaum said she would request a meeting between Mexico’s foreign minister and the U.S. secretary of state aimed at resolving the matter.

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Hotel Overhaul

Hyatt Regency Austin completes big renovation, opens new restaurants

Hyatt Regency Austin standard guest room

Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Austin

The renovation refreshed 448 guest rooms along with the rest of the property.

A downtown Austin hotel has finished a big renovation project. Hyatt Regency Austin has spiffed up 448 guestrooms and suites, plus corridors, meeting rooms, and public spaces. Locals will likely notice the changes most at the new restaurant Ripple & Roots, which is open now alongside two other new dining concepts: a catering space and a market.

The hotel announced the changes in June, making this a fast turnaround. The Hyatt did not have to close for construction.

Ripple & Roots is the signature restaurant, which has a bar and both indoor and outdoor spaces, including a patio on Lady Bird Lake. It can seat 146 diners, with 32 more stools at bar. Some new details since the announcement help paint a picture, presenting "bold flavors representing rich Austin food traditions."

That means locally sourced and sustainable ingredients for lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Diners can expect to see "reimagined Tex-Mex" by chef de cuisine Perla Alvarado and executive chef Kevin Patton, both of whom have worked with Hyatt for several years. A press release focuses more on the cocktail program, which spotlights drinks like smoked old fashioneds, mezcal martinis with smoked olives, prickly pear margaritas, and Texas craft beers and wine.

In addition to Ripple & Roots, the renovation includes Cypress Grove, which offers guest breakfasts and private catering, and Juniper Breeze Market for grab-and-go food and drinks. Guests can pick up baked goods, sandwiches, salads, coffee, beer, wine, and products from local small businesses like Stoke Juices.

In warmer weather, locals might also find themselves at the "newly refreshed" pool, with cabanas and a mobile bar.

Hyatt Regency Austin pool cabana The cabanas have great views of the Austin skyline across Lady Bird Lake.Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Austin

New photos show off the guest spaces Austinites are less likely to see in person.

Unsurprisingly, the best feature in the guest rooms and suites is still the view of the city. The new design by Ealain Studios includes neutral carpeting, hand-stitched accent pillows, and art that nods to nature in Texas. Guests in regular rooms will now settle in alongside new luggage benches, desk chairs, and table lamps. Plus, two new suites add extra space and amenities like a soaking tub and private balconies.

Hyatt Regency Austin suite Earthy tones are in at the Hyatt Regency, which seems to be prioritizing blending in over standing out.Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Austin

In the bathrooms, there are new fixtures, wood accents, expanded and backlit vanities, and geometric tiles. These changes are meant to evoke a spa-like feel inside the room.

Hyatt Regency Austin standard bathroom This standard bathroom goes for natural touches.Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Austin

Other finishing touches around the property include cactus-inspired art in the lobby, new tech in meeting and event spaces, and a new 10x18-foot LED screen wall.

“As Austin continues to be a premier destination for business and leisure travel, special events and the local community, we’re pleased to welcome guests to the revitalized Hyatt Regency Austin, which ushers in a new era for our hotel,” said general manager Jeff Donahoe in the release. “By elevating every facet of the guest experience, from refreshed guestrooms to exciting new dining concepts, we’re better positioned to cater to all types of travelers visiting Austin with impeccable hospitality and amenities that reflects the best of the city and Central Texas."

More information and images (or mock-ups) of the renovated spaces are available at hyatt.com. Dining hours can be found here. Hyatt Regency Austin is located at 208 Barton Springs Rd.

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