Travelers in Austin, London, and beyond are watching the skies with renewed anticipation as international travel undergoes a period of dramatic transformation—driven by both surging demand and ambitious airport expansion plans. At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), officials are working to bring more of the world within easy reach, while on the other side of the globe, travelers are grappling with soaring airfares to Japan as the iconic cherry blossom season approaches. Together, these developments paint a vivid picture of a world eager to reconnect, even as logistical and financial hurdles abound.
On February 11, 2026, the Austin Airport Advisory Commission convened to discuss ABIA’s next big leap: establishing new nonstop flights to 12 global cities. The coveted destinations—Bogota, Dublin, Dubai, Guadalajara, Istanbul, Lima, Montego Bay, Paris, Reykjavík, San José, Seoul, and Tokyo—reflect both the city’s cosmopolitan aspirations and the practical needs of a booming region. According to the commission, Paris tops the wish list as the most sought-after international city without a direct connection from Austin, with Seoul and San José trailing close behind.
This push for expanded service comes as the airport itself is in the midst of a massive transformation. ABIA is undergoing a more than $5 billion expansion—adding 32 new gates to accommodate the city’s explosive growth. Southwest Airlines is slated to operate 18 of the new gates in the soon-to-open Concourse B, while United Airlines will claim five. The remaining gates, including six unassigned at the forthcoming Concourse M, are up for grabs, potentially opening the door for new international carriers and routes.
Kevin Schorr, vice president of the Campbell-Hill Aviation Group, delivered a bullish assessment to the commission. He noted, “The more that we can show that passengers are choosing Austin [for air travel], the better the chance we have for more service.” Schorr’s optimism is backed by hard numbers: ABIA’s domestic capacity has jumped an impressive 46% from 2019 to 2026, making it the fifth fastest-growing large or midsize airport in the United States. Internationally, about 2.2 million passengers per year now travel between Austin and foreign destinations—also a 46% increase since 2019. While international flights currently account for just 5% of ABIA’s total passenger traffic, the appetite for new routes is clear.
One glaring gap remains: Asia. Despite Austin’s growing population of Asia-based employers and a vibrant Asian community, the city still lacks direct flights to the region. Schorr emphasized the “significant amount of demand” for nonstop connections between Austin and key Asian cities like Seoul and Tokyo. As the airport’s expansion continues, local officials are hopeful that airlines will seize the opportunity to bridge this divide.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, UK travelers with dreams of experiencing Japan’s cherry blossom season are facing a different set of challenges. As reported on February 18, 2026, airfares to Japan have soared to record highs ahead of the April sakura bloom, driven by a crush of international demand and the lingering effects of geopolitical tensions. Nonstop flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda now start at a steep £2,396—before even factoring in checked baggage. For those willing to endure longer journeys, budget options exist but come with significant trade-offs: a £688 return fare might involve marathon layovers in cities like Bologna, Rome, Chengdu, Manila, Riyadh, and Istanbul, with some waits topping 20 hours.
For the more adventurous (or perhaps the more patient), so-called "open-jaw" flights—arriving in Nagasaki and departing from Sapporo—are available for around £2,498, with a lengthy 17-hour stopover in Shanghai. The bonus? No visa is required for the quick Shanghai layover, offering a fleeting taste of China en route to Japan. Regional airports also present alternatives. Cathay Pacific, for example, offers flights from Manchester to Tokyo via Hong Kong for about £1,457, providing a convenient stopover for those looking to break up the journey.
Travelers seeking to minimize UK air passenger duty have found creative solutions. By routing through Istanbul and combining Asiana Airlines flights via Seoul with self-transfer options on Wizz Air, fares can dip as low as £743. However, this approach requires travelers to manage separate tickets—a logistical headache for the uninitiated. And for those drawn to the romance of travel by sea, Simon Calder, a well-known travel correspondent, has a unique suggestion: fly from Gatwick to Busan, South Korea, for around £975 return, then take an overnight ferry to Fukuoka, Japan, for an additional £130. Not only does this route offer savings, but it also provides a scenic, memorable detour off the beaten path.
The spike in fares isn’t just about demand. The ongoing closure of Russian airspace to Western and Japanese aircraft has forced airlines to take longer, more circuitous routes, adding both time and cost to transcontinental journeys. The result? Fewer direct flights, longer travel times, and higher prices for everyone. Industry experts are urging travelers to book early and to consider flexible, multi-stop itineraries if they hope to balance cost, convenience, and experience.
Back in Austin, the airport’s expansion is more than just a local story—it’s a reflection of broader trends reshaping global travel. As cities like Austin grow in economic and cultural importance, their airports are racing to keep pace, vying for direct connections to the world’s great cities. ABIA’s current or planned nonstop service to 14 international destinations is already a point of pride, but officials are betting that more is possible. The stakes are high: new routes mean greater access for business, tourism, and family connections, and they solidify Austin’s status as a truly global city.
For travelers everywhere, the message is clear. Whether you’re hoping to stroll the Champs-Élysées, gaze at cherry blossoms in Tokyo, or simply find the best deal to your next adventure, the world is both more accessible and more complicated than ever. Airports are expanding, airlines are adapting, and travelers themselves are getting creative—sometimes enduring marathon layovers, sometimes hopping ferries across seas, all in pursuit of that perfect trip.
With Austin’s airport betting big on international growth and global travelers finding new ways to reach iconic destinations, the future of travel looks set to be as dynamic—and as unpredictable—as the journeys themselves.