Austin Airport Tips To Make Your Holiday Travel Less Stressful

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The holiday travel period is nearly upon us, and the folks at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are offering tips to make for less stressful comings and goings.

ABIA officials not only offer tips to ensure more seamless travel, but note the myriad amenities at the ever-expanding airport designed to make travelers' experiences more pleasurable and less stressed.

The number of nonstop destinations from Austin has grown since last Thanksgiving from about 70 to 82, officials noted. Additionally, 10 carriers have started or announced 39 new routes from Austin in the past year, according to a press advisory. "More flights mean more passengers traveling through Austin’s airport," ABIA officials add, stating the obvious but something worth repeating as travelers launch into their holiday plans.

"Be prepared and know travel processes this Thanksgiving, from when to arrive at the airport and security procedures to enjoyable new art and restaurants," ABIA officials wrote. "A new travel experience will be had by Frontier passengers as they join Allegiant and ViaAir at the South Terminal. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) has more nonstop flights this Thanksgiving and expects robust passenger traffic between November 16 – 25."

In terms of arriving at Austin’s airport, travelers should:

• Check flight status with airline or online by clicking here.
• Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departures during peak times of 5 – 8 a.m., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. For all other times, travelers are advised to arrive 90 minutes before their departure time.
• Factor highway construction around the airport, roadway traffic and weather into drive times. Travelers can check highway conditions at DriveTexas.org.
• Know the terminal at which airlines operate. Allegiant, Frontier and ViaAir operate at the South Terminal and their passenger are encouraged park at the South Terminal. All other airlines operate from the airport’s original Barbara Jordan Terminal.
• Airport Barbara Jordan Terminal parking updates are available 24/7 by calling 512-530-3300. See more airport parking information at abiaparking.com.
• Check out this video and get familiar with how to pack and passenger screening.
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Allegiant, Frontier, ViaAir passengers go to the South Terminal

The South Terminal, at 10000 Logistics Lane, is a separate facility with separate access from the rest of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Travelers should be aware that off-airport parking does not serve the South Terminal. Passengers are encouraged to park at the South Terminal which provides more than 1,000 parking spaces. The South Terminal is accessed from Burleson Road, between US 183 South and FM 973, for details on directions visit http://austinsouthterminal.com/getting-here-parking/.

New art greets Thanksgiving travelers

A Place to Call Home is a newly installed mural by artist Rakhee Jain Desai. Produced on fabric, the mural colorfully expresses Austin’s electric heritage and hospitality while welcoming newcomers. The work is part of the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places TEMPO program. Located in the Barbara Jordan Terminal bag claim near carousel 1, it may be viewed by all airport visitors.
Four new exhibits featuring intriguing local art are displayed on the concourse of the Barbara Jordan Terminal featuring collections of powerful pieces of Latino art, stunning digital creations, vibrant paintings of Texas wildlife, and a bit of Austin weirdness in ceramic form.
These exhibits are beyond security checkpoints and accessible to ticketed passengers only. To learn more about the exhibits, and to see where they are located in the terminal visit: http://austintexas.gov/department/current-art-exhibits.

New this holiday, fuel up your body and car

• ABIA Food & Fuel is now open in the renovated cell phone lot. Located at 2901 Spirit of Texas Drive, it is available to the public, accessible from SH 71 and features a convenience store with hot food served and a Texaco gas station.
• Einstein Bros Bagels / Caribou Coffee (near Gate 24).
• Tacodeli: authentically handcrafted tacos and salads (near Gate 24).
• Briggo Coffee Haus: app-based robotic coffee barista (near Gate 17).
• Departure Lounge: upscale travel respite (near Gate 17).
• Berry Austin: frozen yogurt and smoothies (near Gate 17).
• Hippies & Hops: locally crafted beers and wines by the glass (near Gate 17).
• Peached Tortilla: southern and Asian fusion (near Gate 17).
• JuiceLand: fruit, vegetable, protein juices and smoothies (near Gate 16).
• Fig & Plum, tacos and drinks (near Gate 14).
• Barton Springs East Dry Goods, western apparel and accessories (near Gate 14).
• Ruta Maya Coffee East, organic coffee and pastries (near Gate 14).

Dining discounts for uniformed military personnel
Delaware North is offering uniformed military personnel a 10 percent discount when traveling through Austin-Bergstrom from November 19-23 at the following concessions:

• I Vini
• Annie’s
• Einstein Brothers Bagels
• Salt Lick
• Peached Tortilla
• Juiceland
• Coffee Station
• Tacodeli

Security screening tips to get you to the plane on time

"Make sure you’re on time for the turkey by carving out extra time during this busy holiday travel season!" ABIA officials said with holiday-related pun fully intended.

• Be prepared for security screening—dress and pack smart. This video has suggestions from the TSA on how to ensure a smooth process.
• While packing, check luggage to ensure no prohibited items are in the bag or its pockets. For a comprehensive list of banned and permitted items in carry-on baggage, visit the TSA's Web site at www.tsa.gov.
• Carry-on luggage is restricted to one bag and one personal item such as a laptop, purse or backpack.
• Pour it out. Bottles containing liquids do not get recycled. Passengers can easily pour out the liquids from bottles at the “Pour It Out” receptacle at checkpoint entries, making the bottles ideal for recycling.
• Remember 3-1-1 for liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage. Three ounces per container, in a clear, one-quart bag, one per passenger and place this in a bin for x-ray.
• TSA’s Pre-Check is available at Checkpoints 1 and 2. To enroll, visit www.tsa.gov.
• Coats, jackets, hats, other such outer garments and shoes must be put through x-ray screening.
• Wrapped gifts may have to be opened during security inspections.
• The first passenger-screening checkpoint opens at 3:30 a.m. and all gates in the Barbara Jordan Terminal are accessible via any of the three security checkpoint:
  • Checkpoint 1 is on the east end of ticketing, and enters the concourse at Gate 14.
  • Checkpoint 2 is located in the center of the terminal, and enters the concourse at Gate 20.
  • Checkpoint 3 is on the west end of ticketing, past the ticket counters and enters the concourse at Gate 24.

Spirit Airlines to launch aggressive schedule from ABIA

Mark Kopczak, Spirit Airlines’ Vice President of Network Planning announces daily nonstop service from Austin to nine domestic destinations, beginning Feb. 14, 2019. Photo courtesy of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

In related news, Spirit Airlines announced the offering of daily nonstop service from Austin to nine U.S. cities beginning in early 2019. This will add to the total number of carriers serving Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and provide more flight options to travelers, airport officials said.

“Central Texas travelers will benefit from Spirit Airlines distinctive service,” Jim Smith, ABIA executive director, said. “This expands our travel options and we welcome Spirit to the airport.”

Daily nonstop service between Austin and Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Orlando will begin on Feb. 14, 2019 with additional service to Los Angeles starting on May 2. Travelers can learn more and search flights online at www.spirit.com. A complete list of available nonstop flights from Austin-Bergstrom is available here.

“Austin is not only a booming hub for music, cuisine and the arts, but it has quickly become an economic driver for multiple other industries,” Mark Kopczak, Spirit Airlines’ vice president of Network Planning, said. “Texas’ capital city is a place where we believe our affordable fares and signature service on nonstop flights will resonate and bring both visitors and local residents in and out of the heart of Texas. We are offering not one or two, but nine different nonstop destinations because we know Austin is ready for Spirit.”

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