City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Tips for travelers heading to and from AUS this Spring Festival Season
AUSTIN, Texas – With the return of South by Southwest, spring break travel and new nonstop services launching this month, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is advising travelers to expect a bustling and busy terminal beginning March 10th through early April. AUS is projecting several peak days of travel including several 26,000 to 30,000 passenger days.
“We’re excited to welcome back visitors to Austin for the return of Spring Festival Season,” said Jacqueline Yaft, AUS Chief Executive Officer. “AUS is also excited to launch new flights this month, including KLM’s nonstop service to Amsterdam. The return of Austin events, Austinites and Central Texas travelers flying out for spring break and new air service offerings launching this March means that AUS will be busier than usual these months. As our teams plan and prepare for more travelers, we ask that travelers work with us to plan ahead, arrive early, trust our tips and pack some patience.”
Passenger Arrival Time Tips
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) currently advises that travelers should arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.
Travelers who are checking luggage, traveling with small children or in a large group, and travelers who are flying out for the first time in a while should give themselves extra time in addition to the 2 and 3 hour recommendations to make it to their gate comfortably.
Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays are the busiest days at the airport, and the morning hours before 8 a.m. see the highest volume of passengers per hour. Travelers flying out during those times should plan ahead to arrive early to give themselves plenty of time to make it to their flight.
TSA Screening and Packing Tips
TSA security screening checkpoints open at 3:30 a.m. with TSA PreCheck and Clear screening available at Checkpoints 1 and 2 West. In addition, a new security checkpoint near Southwest ticketing, Checkpoint 2 East, will be open during peak travel periods for all passengers going through general screening. All checkpoints lead to all gates and airlines.
Firearms are prohibited at TSA security checkpoints and can result in fines, penalties and delays to the screening process for passengers. According to the latest available data from TSA, 16 firearms have been detected at AUS TSA checkpoints this year. Travelers are encouraged to double-check their carry-on luggage before heading to the airport to ensure they are not accidentally traveling with their firearm. Travelers needing to travel with a firearm will have to declare their weapon and check it at their airline ticket counter. For more information on how to fly with a firearm, visit AUS’s website.
Travelers should bring conference and event give-aways, “swag” and souvenirs with them in their carry-ons — not in checked luggage. Additionally, travelers can bring liquids that are less than 3.4 oz. with them in their carry-on. For more information about what can and cannot be brought through TSA security, visit TSA.gov.
Parking & Passenger Drop-Off Tips
Drivers dropping off travelers at the terminal can use both the upper level for departures and lower level for arrivals to do so and are encouraged to use whichever level has the least amount of congestion. From the lower arrivals level, passengers can quickly get upstairs to ticketing and security via escalators and elevators.
Travelers looking to park onsite can visit ABIAParking.com to reserve a parking space and check for real-time parking availability prior to arriving at the airport.
For arriving passengers getting picked up by Uber, Lyft, Wingz or other rideshare services, a tram service is available on the first floor of the Red garage to take passengers from the terminal to the rideshare pick-up area, which is located on the ground floor underneath the rental car facility.
Flight Check-In Tips
Travelers without checked luggage can skip the airline ticket counters and head immediately to security through several time-saving options for flight check-in:
- Self-service flight check-in kiosks that allow travelers to print their boarding passes and bag tags are available inside the terminal, across from the airline ticket counters.
- In addition to traditional check-in procedures, select airlines offer outside curb-side check-in options.
- Travelers can also save time by checking in for their flight through their airlines’ mobile app and using a mobile boarding pass.
Health & Safety Tips
The TSA’s face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, has been extended through March 18, 2022. Passengers who do not comply with this mask requirement may be denied entry or boarding, and could face civil penalties.
Terminal Experience
Once inside the terminal, travelers can explore new art installations, new concession offerings, music stages and more with step-by-step directions through the AUS digital wayfinding map at AirportMaps.AustinTexas.gov. The AUS Music Program is excited to welcome back Ray Benson for a special live performance at the Asleep at the Wheel Main Stage March 16th from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. You can also catch other local artists including The Reverent Few, Red Young, and Buenos Diaz. Here's the full Spring Break Music Showcase line-up.
Information for Allegiant and Frontier Travelers
Travelers flying with Allegiant and Frontier will depart from The South Terminal. All other airlines operate out of the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. The two terminals are not connected and must be accessed separately. The South Terminal is located near US 183 and Burleson Road, at 10000 Logistics Lane, Austin. Travelers can use the shuttle bus, which picks up from the departures level of the curbside, to travel from the Barbara Jordan Terminal to The South Terminal.