Austin Airport Travel Survival Guide: Summer Edition

AUSTIN, TX — The official start of summer isn't until June 21, but the busy seasonal travel season at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has already begun, officials said Wednesday.

Passengers may encounter longer lines as a result, ABIA officials said in a press advisory, urging travelers to arrive in the terminal at least two hours prior to their departure time during peak travel times — between 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. — and 90 minutes prior to departure at all other times.

"Knowing travel and security processes help make for smoother travel," airport officials noted. "Additionally, many new facilities and services are available this summer."

To grasp just how busy the airport has gotten amid area growth, airport spokesman Derick Hackett told Patch in a telephone interview that passenger traffic is up 13.3 percent so far in 2018 from the comparable period last year. In 2017, ABIA saw 13.88 passengers pass through the airport. As of March this year, 3.3 million travelers have passed through the airport that's now on track to exceed total passenger numbers from last year, Hackett said.

To further ensure such smooth travel plans, ABIA officials outlined a number of tips on proactive measures travelers can take to eliminate delays once they arrive at the airport:

Travel Tips

• Check real-time flight status before arriving at the airport at www.abia.org, or with your airline.
• Allow ample time to get to the airport. Highway construction near the airport, traffic and weather could add to commute time.
• Questions about parking? Call ahead for real-time, 24/7 updates at 512-530-3300. For lots and rates click on www.abiaparking.com.
• Need a lift? Ground transportation options, including Transportation Network Companies, to and from the airport are available at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/ground-transportation.
• Picking up a passenger? A free cell phone parking lot is available for those picking up arriving passengers. The cell phone lot can be accessed from either the airport’s main entrance road, Presidential Blvd., or from Spirit of Texas Drive.
• For airport information, 24 hours a day, call 512-530-ABIA (2242) or visit www.abia.org.

Security

"Be prepared for security screening — dress and pack smart," airport officials advised. Here are a few tips to ensure your security screening runs smoothly:

• Monitor security wait times and speeds at http://aus.tsa.iinside.com.
• 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.
• TSA’s Pre-Check is available at Checkpoints 1 and 2. To enroll, visitwww.tsa.gov.
• Carry-on luggage is restricted to one bag and one personal item such as a laptop, purse or backpack.
• Shoes, coats, jackets, hats and other such garments must be put through X-ray screening.
• 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. Place these items in a bin for X-ray.

Airport officials also apprised Patch of recent key developments and initiatives at ABIA:

Passengers “Pour it Out” for recycling

"Drink bottles containing liquids don’t get recycled, and can contaminate other recyclable materials," officials said in prefacing one current undertaking. "With 'Pour it Out' receptacles at checkpoint entries, passengers can easily empty the liquids from bottles before placing them in nearby recycling bins."

The net effect of this effor is reduced waste that otherwise would be dumped at the landfill, ABIA officials said. The effort helps the airport reach its goal of diverting 29% of terminal waste from the landfill in 2018 and ultimately zero waste, officials added. For more information, click on Pour it Out.

Allegiant and ViaAir passengers park, depart/arrive at South Terminal

"Remember – if flying Allegiant or ViaAir, flights arrive and depart from the South Terminal. The South Terminal has a separate entrance and parking on the south side of the airport and is not accessible from inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal or from SH 71. The South Terminal is located at 10000 Logistics Lane and is accessible from US 183 South and Burleson Road."

For more information on the South Terminal including directions, on-site parking and amenities, visit http://austinsouthterminal.com/.

New nonstop destinations for summer 2018

For Austin passengers, there are more new nonstop destinations available for summer 2018 that were not available in summer 2017. These nonstops and the airlines that operate them include:

• London, England, Gatwick Airport (LGW) – Norwegian
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Vacation Express, starting June 4
• Buffalo, New York (BUF) – Frontier Airlines
• Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) – Frontier Airlines
• Columbus, Ohio, Rickenbacker Airport (LCK) – Allegiant Air, South Terminal
• Columbus, Ohio, John Glenn International (CMH) – Frontier Airlines
• Jacksonville, Florida (JAX) – Frontier Airlines
• Little Rock, Arkansas (LIT) – ViaAir, South Terminal
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE) – Frontier Airlines
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (OKC) – ViaAir, South Terminal
• Omaha, Nebraska (OMA) – Frontier Airlines
• Ontario, California (ONT) – Frontier Airlines
• Providence, Rhode Island (PVD) – Frontier Airlines
• Reno, Nevada (RNO) – Frontier Airlines
• Sacramento, California (SMF) – Southwest Airlines
• Tucson, Arizona (TUS) – ViaAir, South Terminal
• Tulsa, Oklahoma (TUL) – ViaAir, South Terminal

Sun Country now at Barbara Jordan Terminal

Sun Country has announced new seasonal nonstop service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Cancun International Airport. The new route begins in time for summer vacation. Sun Country nonstop flights between Austin and Cancun are scheduled June 15 through August 13, 2018, operating three times a week on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. All Sun Country flights will be out of the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

Global Entry expedites international arrival, domestic passenger screening

Expedite the international arrival process as well as domestic passenger screening with Global Entry, a program of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry memberships are now available and it’s convenient to apply. First, sign up online at https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/. After receiving eligibility confirmation, schedule an interview at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s Customs office.

New entry to parking lots B-G open at Barbara Jordan Terminal

The new entry to on-airport economy, long-term parking lots B-G opened in March 2018. Travelers seeking to use these lots should be prepared to take the new exit from the roadway leading to the terminal; Presidential Blvd. Accessed from the left lane of Presidential Blvd., the new exit is approached sooner on Presidential Blvd. than in the past.

For more information on parking locations and rates at the airport visitwww.abiaparking.com. Parking information and status is available 24/7 by calling 512-530-3300.

New restaurants and services

• Renovations and new locations – Some longtime passenger favorites have undergone renovations including Annie’s Café & Bar (Gate 19), Austin Article (Gate 9), Book People (Gate 9) and The Saltlick (Gate 12). Additional locations of Barton Springs and Ruta Maya have opened by Gate 5.
• Second Bar + Kitchen – Now open at ABIA, Second Bar + Kitchen is an upscale dining experience that combines seasonal ingredients with local artisan products. Located between Gate 6 and 7.
• Hippies and Hops - Offers locally crafted beers and wines by the glass.
• IVINI – This new Italian restaurant, market and wine bar is found by Gate 21.
• JuiceLand - These smoothies, juices and vegan cuisine just debuted.
• The Peached Tortilla – Features Southern comfort food with an Asian flair.
• Tyler’s Austin Warehouse – An Austin themed retail store that offers top name brand and local merchandise. Located across from Gate 10.

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