Cheap Flights From Tampa, FL (TPA) To Austin, TX (AUS)

plane left on time, got a middle bulkhead seat even though i was boarded B32 in line (with a1-60 and b1-31 and all kids, elderly ahead of me). plane landed 5 mins early. no problem with connection (would say plane could have been cleaner. lots of old food, slime around aluminum trim in front of me) worse part was passengers: guy behind pounding on seat in time with his music, no problems on direct flight back in spite of being a full house except middle seat again both seatmates hogging the armrests and no room but plenty of leg room and easy in and out.

This was a Delta Connection flight originally scheduled to layover in Memphis, but it developed mechanical problems with its air handling at high altitude and didn't have enough fuel to make it at lower altitude so they diverted to Birmingham. Delta agents very quickly got me on a plane to Atlanta and on to Austin and I was only a couple of hours late. But this was the 2nd time I have been diverted on a Delta Connection flight. The first time was because they were flying into a stronger than expected headwind. They apparently don't carry any excess fuel for emergencies.