Austin airport asking passengers to arrive early during busy Spring Travel Season

AUSTIN, Texas - With SXSW, Dell Match Play, NASCAR, Texas Relays, the CMT Awards and more, spring is a busy time in Austin.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport says last March was the busiest in airport history and airlines are offering 10% more seats this year.

That's why they say passengers need to plan ahead, arrive early and ‘pack their patience’.

When to arrive at AUS

Passengers using general Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening should arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before departure for international flights.
Passengers that need to check luggage, return a rental car, or complete other activities before joining the TSA security line should arrive even earlier.
TSA PreCheck and Clear users can expect a faster security process than those using general TSA screening.

Security screening & packing correctly

AUS has 4 security screening checkpoints and all checkpoints lead to all gates. The checkpoints open at 3:00 a.m.
Double check your bag for prohibited items including firearms and liquids exceeding 3.4 oz. The TSA has reported that AUS passengers continue to bring a record number of guns to security checkpoints.
Visit TSA.gov for guidance on how to pack and what items are allowed in carry-on luggage.
Event promotional items, bulky souvenirs and giveaways should be packed in carry-on luggage to prevent delays in the checked baggage security screening process.

Spring festival season is here: what you need to know

City leaders provide an update with what you need to know ahead of Spring Festival Season in Austin.

Parking and/or dropping off passengers

Visit ABIAParking.com if you're planning to park at AUS. You can reserve a parking space and check for real-time parking availability before arriving at the airport.
Passengers should budget in extra arrival time for shuttle service to the terminal as it runs approximately every 15-20 minutes.
Use either the upper level for departures or the lower level for arrivals to drop off passengers. And vice versa - if you're picking up someone and the lower level for arrivals is backed up, have them go to the upper-level departures and pick them up there. We recommend using whichever level is least congested.
Allegiant and Frontier passengers are encouraged to park on-site at the South Terminal.

Mobility assistance and accessibility needs

Passengers who require wheelchair assistance need to contact their airline prior to their travel date to set up the service.
AUS offers SkySquad, a new service which connects passengers with a trained, pre-vetted airport assistant to provide an extra pair of hands from the curbside to their gate (from ticketing, checking bags, loading items onto the security belt, keeping an eye on travel items when they go to the restroom and more). Passengers need to book 24 hours in advance. Visit the SkySquad website or call (877) 359-2256.
AUS has a new Mobility Lounge for passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices located on the ticketing/departures level.
AUS also has a new Mobility Assistance Zone, which provides priority access for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), taxis and rideshares to pick-up passengers with limited mobility. It is located on the lower level curbside one lane across from the G and H pick-up areas; it is free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
AUS also has a Mobility Assistance Tram, which transports Passengers with mobility needs via tram across the walkway between the car rental area and the terminal curbside. It operates 7 days a week.
Consider requesting TSA Cares Assistance. TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Contact them at (855) 787-2227.

ATCEMS crew to be on site at Austin airport as part of pilot program

As of Wednesday, March 1, a Austin-Travis County EMS crew will be on site at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), as part of a pilot program.

Checking into your flight

Passengers without checked luggage can bypass the busy ticket counters and head immediately to TSA screening checkpoints using these time-saving flight check-in options:

Use a mobile boarding pass to skip the airline ticket counters.
Use a self-service kiosk located inside the terminal to print boarding passes.
In addition to traditional check-in procedures, some airlines offer outside curbside check-in on the upper level.

Information for Allegiant and Frontier travelers: Know your terminal

Passengers flying Allegiant or Frontier will depart from The South Terminal, which is a separate terminal located near US 183 and Burleson Road at 10000 Logistics Lane.
This terminal is not accessible from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal.
While we do provide shuttle service to the terminal, we encourage Allegiant and Frontier passengers to park on-site at the South Terminal to save time.

Passengers needing assistance at any point in their journey at AUS are encouraged to call the Airport Operations Center at (512) 530-2242 or to ask any Department of Aviation staff member for assistance.