Austin Airport Survival Guide: Tips For Smooth Holiday Travel

AUSTIN, TX — The mad dash of travelers running to catch their flights alone will alert you that this is a peak holiday travel period. But beyond the din, the airport is decked out in seasonal decorations, with staff poised to welcome arriving passengers and wishing departing ones well with the full-throated cheer of the busy holiday travel period.

As if that weren't enough to help harried passengers catch that holiday spirit, travelers can enjoy live performances on any of the terminal’s four stages.

That being said, it's important for passengers to prepare well for their trips to ensure a smooth holiday travel experience. You wouldn't want to live through an experience like in the classic film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" now, would you? To avoid such a panicked scenario in reaching your destination, heed the advice of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials, who have devised a list of things to know about the airport along with some helpful tips.

Allegiant, Sun Country and ViaAir passengers go to the South Terminal

Passengers on Allegiant, Sun Country and ViaAir go to and park at the South Terminal using a different airport entrance, on the south boundary of the airport off Burleson Road. For more information, visit http://www.austintexas.gov/page/terminals-austin-bergstrom-international-airport.

More nonstop flights

More nonstop flights combined with holiday travelers including families and students from area universities and schools are expected to increase passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). Holiday air travelers should check their flight status and arrive in the terminal 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.

Check flight status at http://content.abia.org:8080/webfids/. Airport parking updates are available 24/7 by calling 512-530-3300. See more airport parking information at: www.abiaparking.com.

Knowing travel and security processes can help make for a more seamless travel experience. Airport traffic is up 5 percent over a record breaking 11.9 million travelers in 2015 and there are more flights available this year, airport officials said.

New nonstop destinations for holiday travelers this year include:

• Ontario, Calif. (ONT): Frontier
• Pittsburgh (PIT): Allegiant
• Raleigh-Durham (RDU): Delta
• Tampa/St. Pete (PIE): Allegiant
• Cleveland (CLE): Allegiant
• Indianapolis (IND): Allegiant
• Kansas City (MCI): Southwest
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP): Sun Country

Passengers are encouraged to check out the interactive flight guide from ABIA at http://aus.fltmaps.com/en and view the new air service from Austin at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/nonstop-flights-out-abia .

Monitor security line speeds online

Security line speeds at the Barbara Jordan Terminal can be checked online at www.abia.org. Click on “Travel Tips,” or directly at http://aus.tsa.iinside.com. All gates are accessible via any checkpoint. Barbara Jordan Terminal checkpoint locations are below:

• Checkpoint 1 is on the east end of ticketing, and enters the concourse at Gate 6.
• Checkpoint 2 is located in the center of the terminal, and enters the concourse at Gate 11.
• Checkpoint 3 is on the west end of ticketing, past ticket counters and enters the concourse at Gate 14.

Holiday entertainment

Extra holiday live entertainment fun continues this year on December 20 with Ray Benson & The Barton Hills Choir. They will perform from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The Austin Jazz Workshop will perform holiday hits on December 22 from 2 to 3 p.m.

These performances are in addition to the 16 live music performances presented weekly at the airport. All performances are held past passenger screening checkpoints and are available to ticketed passengers only. To see a schedule of performance and locations visit http://www.austintexas.gov/department/music-air-0.

East Food Court closed for renovation

The East Food Court will be closed for renovation. This includes former venues Wok & Roll, Hoover’s, Hill’s Café and Nuevo Leon. This construction, near gates 7-8, will introduce new food and retail concepts/opportunities in the East Food Court such as Berry Austin Frozen Yogurt, Juiceland, The Peached Tortilla and Departure Lounge. Auntie Anne’s will remain open during the first phase of renovations before converting to MAD Greens. Grab & Go kiosks will temporarily operate in the area during the food court renovation.

New restaurants and services

• Bark & Zoom – Bark & Zoom (www.barkandzoom.com) is a state of the art pet hotel which also includes covered airport parking. Located at: 2601 Cardinal Loop, Del Valle, TX 78617.
• Hyatt Place – The newest hotel on the Austin airport campus, the Hyatt is located at 9532 Spirit of Austin Lane.
• Knot Anymore – Now offering hand and nail treatment and table massage in addition to chair massage, Knot Anymore is located inside the terminal near gates 7 and 13.
• Second Bar + Kitchen – Newly opened at ABIA, Second Bar + Kitchen is an upscale dining experience that combines seasonal ingredients with local artisan products. Located between gate 6 and 7.
• IVINI – This new Italian restaurant, market and wine bar is found between Gates 21 and 25.
• Tyler’s Austin Warehouse – An Austin themed retail store that offers top name brand and local merchandise. Located across from Gate 10.
• Austin Article – Offering University of Texas apparel, best-selling books, magazines and snacks, Austin themed gifts, jewelry, hats and comfort travel items. Located across from Gate 9.

Travel tips

• Check real-time flight status before arriving at the airport on 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.
• On-Airport Parking will stay fluid during the holidays. Call ahead for real-time, 24/7 updates at 512-530-3300. For lots and rates click on http://austintexas.gov/department/airport-parking.
###lihttp://www.austintexas.gov/department/travel-security-information.
• Need a lift? Ground transportation options to/from the airport are available at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/ground-transportation.
• 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 Dr.
• For airport information 24 hours a day, call 512-530-ABIA (2242) or visit www.abia.org.

Security screening

Be prepared for security screening—dress and pack smart. Here are a few tips:

• 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 in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. To enroll, visit www.tsa.gov.
• Carry-on luggage is restricted to one bag and one personal item such as a laptop, purse or backpack.
• Coats, jackets, hats, other such outer garments and shoes 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 and place this in a bin for x-ray.
• Wrapped gifts may have to be opened during security inspections.

New passenger environmental programs

Good Traveler Carbon Offset program - Passengers now have the opportunity to help make air travel more sustainable by purchasing carbon offsets at an affordable price. For more information, click on http://www.austintexas.gov/news/good-traveler-offers-carbon-offsets-passengers.

Pour it Out to improve recycling – Bottles containing liquids don’t 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. For more information click on http://www.austintexas.gov/news/%E2%80%98pour-it-out%E2%80%99-launches-earth-day-improve-recycling.

Airport officials also note there are new nonstop international flights include London Gatwick, United Kingdom (LGW) on Norwegian Air, www.norwegian.com/us, Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL) on Volaris, www.volaris.com, and Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) on AeroMexico, www.aeromexico.com. New for SXSW 2018: Delta to Amsterdam (AMS), www.delta.com, and SAS to Stockholm (ARN) www.flysas.com/en/us/.

Find all nonstop routes with the free interactive flight guide on www.abia.org. Connect with ABIA on Twitter,@AUStinAirport, Facebook, www.facebook.com/abia and on Instagram, @AUSairport.

Happy holidays to all! While you can't do much in terms of who you sit next to on a plane, you can take steps to ensure otherwise smooth, stress-free travel. Safe travels, y'all, and know that we feel your pain.

>>> Photo by Andy Beales on Unsplash