Trip search for Mike · Sarasota area to Austin, Texas

Best move: SRQ nonstop if price stays low. TPA if you want more times or first class.

I checked SRQ, TPA, PIE, PGD, and RSW. Orlando is intentionally excluded. Fares are live-market snapshots and can change; use the booking buttons to confirm before buying.

DatesJun 1 → Jun 5
DestinationAUS Austin
Closest airportSRQ
Best premium airportTPA
Recommended

Option A — SRQ nonstop on Allegiant

~$135+ base RT

Allegiant lists SRQ → AUS nonstop on Monday June 1 from about $71 one-way economy. Google/Allegiant show AUS → SRQ nonstop availability around Friday June 5. This is the easiest airport and likely cheapest base fare.

  • Pros: closest airport, nonstop, shortest total door-to-door day.
  • Cons: Allegiant has no true first class; bags/seats are extra; schedule is limited.
  • Upgrade equivalent: buy bundle, priority boarding, carry-on/checked bag, best available seat.
Book/check Allegiant SRQ→AUSGoogle Flights SRQ search
First-class note

No true first on Allegiant

If first class matters, skip Allegiant/Southwest and use TPA/SRQ connecting options on American, Delta, or United.

Premium pick

Option B — TPA nonstop / first-class options

TPA gives the most flexibility. Southwest and Delta show nonstop service TPA ↔ AUS. Expedia/Skyscanner show TPA roundtrips from about $190 economy, direct flights about 2h35–2h50.

  • Nonstop: Southwest, Delta.
  • First/business: American, Delta, United, Spirit listed as first-class capable on Expedia; Delta nonstop premium cabin may be the cleanest if available.
  • Business/first range seen: roughly $515–$1,294 return on Expedia route data, live price varies.
Search TPA first classSouthwest TPA→AUS
Balanced pick

Option C — SRQ connecting first class

For first class without driving to Tampa, check SRQ connecting itineraries on American, Delta, and United. Expedia lists SRQ ↔ AUS serviced by AA, Delta, Southwest, United, JetBlue, with roundtrips around $337+ economy.

  • Likely connections: AA via CLT/DFW, Delta via ATL, United via IAH/ORD.
  • Pros: easiest drive, premium cabin possible.
  • Cons: longer travel day, one stop, first-class fare may jump.
Search SRQ first classExpedia SRQ route
Airport ranking

Airport choices near you — excluding Orlando

Airport
Verdict
Best use
SRQ
Best overall if Allegiant schedule works. Nonstop to AUS exists, lowest base fare found.
Cheapest/easiest
TPA
Best for more flight times, nonstop options, and real premium/first-class cabin choices.
First class
PIE
Limited/indirect options found; not better than SRQ/TPA for this trip.
Backup only
PGD
Skyscanner says no regular PGD→AUS flights as of May 2026; skip unless price weirdly appears.
Skip
RSW
Works as a backup with AA/Delta/Southwest/United/Frontier, but farther drive; prices similar to SRQ.
Backup
Cheapest likely

SRQ Allegiant nonstop

Use if you are okay with economy + add-ons. Buy bags/seats during booking to avoid nickel-and-dime pain.

Comfort pick

TPA Delta nonstop / premium

Best if you care about comfort, schedule flexibility, and avoiding Allegiant-style add-on hassle.

First class pick

AA/Delta/United via SRQ or TPA

Use Google Flights cabin filter. TPA will likely show more premium choices than SRQ.

Do not use

Orlando intentionally excluded

You said not driving that far to get to an airport. MCO is not included even though it may show more flights.

My recommendation: check SRQ Allegiant first. If return time or add-ons are annoying, switch to TPA and compare Delta nonstop vs first-class connecting options.
Open combined Google searchExpedia TPA routeRSW backup