AUS expects busy days ahead for Spring Break, Spring Festival Season travel

Departing travelers should plan ahead, arrive early and be prepared for a busy terminal
 

AUSTIN, Texas – With an abundance of events taking place in the Austin area this spring and Spring Break travel, The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) expects a high volume of passengers starting Thursday, March 7 through Sunday, March 31. As AUS expects multiple 30,000+ days throughout the month, be aware that the busiest days for departing travelers will be:

• Thursday, March 7
• Friday, March 8
• Sunday, March 10
• Monday, March 11

Earlier this week, AUS leadership joined other City of Austin officials and partners to share information about community members and visitors can expect in Austin for Spring Festival Season. Click here to view the City of Austin’s press release and click here to view a video of a March 4 press event.

Arriving Early is Key

• 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 who must check luggage, return a rental car, or complete other activities before entering the TSA security line should arrive even earlier.
• TSA PreCheck and Clear users can expect a quicker security procedure than those using general TSA screening.

Packing and Security Screening

• AUS has 3 security screening checkpoints, and all checkpoints lead to all gates.
  • Checkpoint 1 is available for general TSA screening, TSA PreCheck, and Clear.
  • Checkpoint 2 East will only be open for TSA PreCheck.
  • Checkpoint 2 West is available for both general TSA and Clear.
• TSA Checkpoint 3 is temporarily closed due to AUS expansion. Travelers can visit our Journey With AUS Construction page to track updates until we open our improved Checkpoint in 2026.
• With continuous reports from TSA of AUS passengers attempting to bring in guns through security checkpoints, we want to emphasize that bringing prohibited items, like firearms and liquids exceeding 3.4 oz., will cause delays for passengers.
• Passengers can search TSA.gov for directions on how to pack and what items are allowed in carry-on luggage.
• Festival items, event promotional items, giveaways, and bulky souvenirs need to be packed in checked bag, not carry-on luggage.

Passenger Parking or Drop Off

• Visit ABIAParking.com if you’re planning to park at AUS. To ensure parking for all customers, ABIA parking is not accepting reservations or advance payment during the month of March.
• Passengers should incorporate additional arrival time for shuttle service to the terminal, which will run approximately every 15-20 minutes.
• Either the upper level for departures or the lower level for arrivals can be used to drop off passengers. Keep in mind that if you’re picking up someone and the lower level for arrivals is congested, have them meet you at the upper level to be picked up.
• It is recommended that Frontier and Allegiant passengers park on-site at the South Terminal.

Mobility Assistance and Accessibility Needs

• Passengers who require wheelchair assistance need to contact their airline before their travel date to schedule services.
• AUS has a Mobility Assistance Zone that allows efficient 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; free of charge and open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Travelers who desire extra assistance to get through TSA screening can use 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. Reach them at least 72 hours before your flight at (855) 787-2227.

Flight Check-In Tips

• Airline ticket counters have various opening times. We recommend that passengers contact the airline directly for hours of operation.
• 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.

Experience AUS

• Once you successfully pass through security, explore food from our restaurants, unique art installations, live music stages, and more using step-by-step directions on the AUS digital wayfinding map at AirportMaps.AustinTexas.gov.
• AUS is ecstatic to present an outstanding music line-up, featuring 50 different live music performances starting Monday, March 11 through March 18. You can view a detailed schedule of our 8 music stages on the Live Music in the Air at AUS program webpage.

Notice for Allegiant and Frontier Travelers: Go to the South 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. Note that 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.

“We’re looking forward to helping passengers reach their spring destination this travel season,” said Ghizlane Badawi, Interim Chief Executive Officer of AUS. “Our staff has been working hard to prepare the airport for an increase of travelers and will continue to work hard throughout this busy travel period. We do ask that passengers plan to arrive early, refer to our travel tips, and show kindness to others along their journey.”

Extra Department of Aviation staff will be throughout the terminal on busy days to assist travelers. 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. 

For the latest news, real-time flight information, careers information, and details on the many services provided at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport visit FlyAustin.com. You can also follow Austin-Bergstrom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.