Construction Activities
Info for travelers: Construction Activities - View scheduled terminal construction activities before your next visit!
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) had its busiest year on record in 2022 with over 21 million passengers flying in and out of Austin. With more airline seats offered in 2023, AUS continues to see high-volume travel days, which are days with 30,000+ passengers. This sustained increase in passenger numbers shows AUS has recovered from pandemic passenger traffic losses.

As the "World's Gateway to Central Texas", AUS offers Austinites and Central Texans plentiful options to fly nonstop to exciting domestic and international destinations. To view a full list and map of services, visit the Nonstop Flights out of AUS webpage. 

Passenger Travel Tips

Arrival Tips

To help prepare passengers for a busier than ever AUS, the airport recommends:

  • That travelers using general TSA screening should arrive at least 2.5 hours before their departure time for domestic flights
  • Travelers flying internationally should check-in at their airline ticket counter at least 3 hours before departure.
  • Travelers checking luggage, traveling with small children or in a large group, and those flying out of AUS for the first time in a while, should give themselves extra time in addition to the 2.5- and 3-hour recommendation to make it to their gate on time.
  • Travelers using TSA Pre-Check and Clear can expect to wait less in line for TSA security than general screening travelers. 
Parking Tips
AUS expects on-site parking options to be full during peak travel days this fall. Travelers planning to park on-site should:

Passenger Drop-Off  & Pick-Up Tips
An increase in passengers means more vehicles are dropping off and picking up passengers. Drivers and passengers are encouraged to “switch,” using whichever level has the least congestion. Drop off for departures on either the upper or lower level. Passengers can quickly get upstairs to ticketing and security using escalators and elevators from the lower arrivals level. If the lower level is congested, arriving passengers can use escalators and elevators to be picked up on the upper level.

Drivers picking up passengers can wait in the AUS Cell Phone Lot located at 2901 Spirit of Texas Drive.

Rideshare Pick-Up Tips
AUS rideshare pick-up is located on the ground level underneath the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, which is directly behind the Red Garage, the garage closest to the terminal.

AUS offers several convenient options for those who do not want to walk from the terminal to the rideshare pick-up area:

  • The Mobility Assistance Zone pilot program offers priority baggage claim/arrivals curbside pick-up for travelers with wheelchairs, other mobility assistive devices or who are not able to walk from the terminal to the rideshare pick-up zone. To use the free service, after arriving at AUS, submit a request for pick up at the MAZ in the following ways:
  • The Second Floor Red Garage Tram offers a tram ride to passengers directly to the rideshare pick-up area.
  • The Third Floor Red Garage Tram offers a tram ride to passengers to the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, which is just one floor above the rideshare pick-up zone, just take the elevator or stairs one floor down for rideshare pick-up

TSA Screening and Packing Tips
AUS has four TSA security checkpoints. All four checkpoints lead to all gates and the first checkpoints open at 3:30 a.m. daily. 

TSA PreCheck and Clear screening are available at Checkpoints 1 and 2 West.

Food, gifts, and other items should be packed properly. For more information about what can and cannot be brought through TSA security, visit TSA.gov. 

The TSA has reported that AUS passengers continue to bring a record number of guns to security checkpoints this year. Bringing prohibited items will cause delays for passengers. Read more about how to legally travel with a firearm on our Know Before You Go webpage.

Flight Check-In Tips
Travelers without checked luggage can skip the airline ticket counters and head immediately to security screening checkpoints using these time-saving flight check-in options:

  • Use the lower curbside and upper curbside for drop-off — from the lower level, passengers can quickly get upstairs to ticketing and security via escalators and elevators.
  • 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 curbside check-in.
  • Travelers can also save time by checking in for their flight using their airlines’ mobile app and a mobile boarding pass.

Information for Allegiant and Frontier Travelers
Travelers flying with Allegiant and Frontier will check-in from and 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 at 10000 Logistics Lane, near US 183 and Burleson Road. If dropped off at the Barbara Jordan Terminal, passengers can use a shuttle bus, which picks up from the curb-side departure level, to get to the South Terminal.

Navigating Construction at the Barbara Jordan Terminal 
AUS is improving and modernizing to meet the needs of record-breaking passenger and airline activity through the Journey With AUS Airport Expansion and Development Program. Construction activities in the terminal may be visible to passengers as our teams work to expand facilities, improve systems and build new infrastructure. 

 

Accessibility Services

All airlines provide wheelchair service from curb to aircraft. Please contact your airline prior to your flight to make arrangements for this service.

Visit our AUS for All: ADA and Accessibility Services webpage for more information about pick-up options for travelers with mobility assistive devices, TSA screening ADA procedures, services for travelers with hidden disabilities and other accessibility services at AUS.
 

AUS Frequently Asked Questions

How is the airport addressing longer TSA wait times during peak travel periods?

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is owned by the City of Austin and operated by the Department of Aviation. Security checkpoints at AUS are operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The Department of Aviation continues to partner with the TSA to address security checkpoint delays, including:

  • Partnering with TSA to expand and improve security checkpoints by installing new screening equipment and technoloy and expanding Checkpoints 2 East, 2 West and 3. 
  • Opening a new TSA checkpoint in 2021 through the Journey With AUS airport improvement program.
  • Requesting additional TSA staff and technology.
  • On-going and regular conversations with local TSA leadership.
  • Requesting congressional support through the airport's federal delegation.
  • Assisting TSA with promoting job fairs, hiring events and TSA employment opportunities.
  • Hiring additional Department of Aviation Guest Services staff to assist with passenger queuing so that TSA personnel can focus on security screening.
Why is the airport so busy?

After the devastating worldwide impacts on travel and aviation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AUS has been experiencing a strong recovery since the summer of 2021. Central Texas continues to grow, and people and businesses are moving to Austin. This regional growth has led to strong demand for air service. Airlines continue to invest in Austin, bringing more jobs and economic opportunities alongside new nonstop destinations. 

AUS airlines have launched more flights to existing destinations, launched new destinations, and sometimes use bigger aircraft than before. This means there are more seats for sale and more passengers traveling on a regular basis to fill those seats.  AUS is the fastest growing and strongest recovering airport in the country when measured by seat capacity increase and currently offers more nonstop destinations than ever before.

What kind of new services has AUS launched to help passengers?

To better assist passengers, AUS has launched a variety of new services, ranging from new food, beverage and travel essential shopping options to new services for differently-abled passengers and for those using mobility assistive devices. New services include: 

  • On-site, no appointment needed TSA PreCheck enrollment for departing passengers. Visit AustinTexas.gov/AUS-PreCheck to learn how you can sign up for TSA Pre Check the next time you fly out of AUS.
  • The Mobility Assistance Zone for passengers using mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, or crutches, or those who need additional mobility assistance. It provides priority access for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), taxis and rideshares to reduce travel time and provide a convenient pick-up area for passengers with limited mobility. It is free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.  It is located on the lower level curbside, one lane across from the G and H pick-up areas.
  • The Mobility Lounge for passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices is located on the ticketing/departures level. 
  • New 24/7 snack, beverage and travel essential items are located for sale throughout the terminal. Visit Airportmaps.AustinTexas.gov to see locations and options. 
  • New grab-&-go, self-service concessions are now open at Barton Springs Express on the pre-security side, in between Z Cafe and the Mobility Lounge, and at Market  [512] near Gate 12.
  • Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program lanyards or pins are available for passengers with non-visible disabilities to wear at the airport. The lanyards discreetly notify airport staff and other passengers that you may need more time, patience and support. Order your free lanyard 48 hours ahead of your trip by contacting the AUS Guest Services team via email at AUS.GuestServices@FlyAustin.com or by calling them at (512) 530-2414. Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
Do I still need to show up early if I have TSA PreCheck or Clear? What if I am not checking luggage?

Arrival time best practices depend on a variety of factors such as:

  • If you're checking a bag and how many you're checking
  • If you need to return a rental car
  • If you are traveling with small children or a large group
  • If you are using general TSA screening or not

AUS recommends passengers using general TSA screening arrive at least 2.5 hours before boarding for domestic travel and 3 hours before boarding for international travel. If a passenger is completing pre-TSA activities like the ones listed above, they should make sure they have plenty of time to do so. 

TSA PreCheck and Clear can both save passengers time with expedited TSA security screening options. An example of a passenger who may not need the full 2.5 hours to make it to their gate before boarding is a single traveler who has TSA PreCheck or Clear, is using a mobile boarding pass and is not checking any luggage. An example of a passenger who may need more than the 2.5 hours is someone traveling in a large group of travelers who have not traveled in long time, are checking multiple bags and oversized items, and are returning a rental car before heading into the terminal. 

How can I sign up for TSA PreCheck or Clear? 

TSA PreCheck and Clear both offer expedited security screening.

For TSA PreCheck, you have two options for signing up:

  • Option 1 for ticketed passengers
    • You can sign up for TSA PreCheck with no appointment needed on your next flight out of AUS. The TSA enrollment kiosk is located just past Checkpoint 1. You have to be a ticketed passenger and have to have been screened through security to access the walk-up enrollment kiosk. For more information and hours of operation, visit AustinTexas.gov/AUS-PreCheck.
  • Option 2 for non-ticketed passengers
    • TSA PreCheck offers appointment-only services at two locations in Austin: One at the airport in Baggage Claim and one at 7010 W Highway 71 in Oak Hill. to book an appointment, fill out pre-appointment paperwork and more, visit TSA.gov/precheck.

For Clear, you can enroll online at ClearMe.com or on-site at the airport. 

When is the airport busiest?

The airport continues to see high passenger volumes regularly throughout the week. Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday continue to be the busiest days of the week, with 30,000+ passengers flying out on these days. Mornings are the busiest time of day each day. 

Is the airport going to expand?

Yes! AUS's Airport Expansion and Development Program is underway and will deliver near-term improvements, new infrastructure and modern facilities to support current and future generations of Austinite and Central Texan travelers. 

You can learn more about our journey to improve and modernize the airport at our Journey With AUS webpage: AustinTexas.gov/AUSJourney.

You can view active construction activities that may be visible to you on your next AUS visit on our construction updates webpage. 

Is there a staffing shortage at AUS?

The Department of Aviation employs nearly 500 employees and that number is growing. The Department of Aviation was granted a budget amendment approval by the Austin City Council to create 80 new positions this last spring. Many of these positions are temporary positions that will be converted to full-time employment opportunities and will support a range of airport functions from Guest Services, Operations, Planning and Development and more. More Department of Aviation positions are planned for Fiscal Year 2023.

If you are interested in joining the Department of Aviation, you can view current employment opportunities at AustinCityJobs.org.

Many AUS business partners are seeking qualified candidates to join their teams, including the Transportation Security Administration, ABIA Parking, AUS airlines, ground handling and concession partners. You can learn more about AUS business partners and current job opportunities at the AUS career webpage. 

As unemployment levels in Austin and Central Texas remain low and as the worldwide labor shortage continues, the Department of Aviation appreciates the patience from our passengers as our business partners navigate our COVID-19 recovery together as an airport community.

Have AUS concessions reopened from pandemic closures?

AUS concessions have reopened from the pandemic closures experienced in 2020 and 2021 and AUS is excited to offer concessions to our travelers, including What-a-Burger (in the Cell Phone Waiting Lot), Zocalo Cafe, Thurman's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Kome Sushi, the Noble Sandwich and more. You can see a full list of AUS retail and dining options on our concessions webpage. 

 AUS now offers several new contactless and self-service kiosks and machines that are available to travelers 24/7 and offer snacks, beverages, travel essentials, and more.

What else is the airport doing to respond to regional growth?

In addition to the terminal improvements projects, the Department of Aviation is constructing a new air cargo facility. This will have long-term benefits for Austin and Central Texas' manufacturing, tech, and business hubs, and support a growing region that prioritizes job creation and improving infrastructures. It is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023.

The Department of Aviation is working with AUS Fuels, LLC, the consortium of AUS airlines that own and operate the jet fuel storage facility at the airport on the development of a new facility. The new facility will more than double the existing on-site fuel storage and be able to meet the airport's long-term fueling needs in the decades to come. Currently, AUS operates with a 2 - 3 day supply, while more airports operate with 5 - 7 days. 

Both the new air cargo facility and the new jet fuel storage facility are AUS 2040 Master Plan projects that have been expedited ahead of the original timeline to address our growing region and increased demand for air and cargo service.