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Austin-Bergstrom advises passengers to expect busy Thanksgiving travel season

By FOX 7 Austin Digital Team
Published  November 20, 2022 2:48pm CST
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
FOX 7 Austin

AUSTIN, Texas - The holiday travel season is upon us and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is advising travelers to prepare.

The airport says that this Thanksgiving travel season is coming on the heels of a "record-breaking" October and nearing the end of a year that saw "unprecedented demand" for air travel. In addition to the demand, airlines are offering 35% more seats compared to this time in 2019.

Due to these factors, passengers should expect a busier than usual terminal starting Friday, Nov. 18 through Monday, Nov. 28, says Austin-Bergstrom.

In response to this demand, Austin-Bergstrom is offering tips and a brand-new service to help your travel plans run smoothly.

SkySquad

Starting Monday, Nov. 21, the airport will offer SkySquad, a new service that connects passengers with a trained, pre-vetted airport assistant to provide an extra pair of hands from the curbside to their gate and help passengers with everything from ticketing, checking bags, loading items onto the security belt, keeping an eye on travel items when they go to the restroom and more.

The service is available starting at $49 and Austin-Bergstrom is one of nine U.S. airports offering it.

Passengers need to book 24 hours in advance. Those interested can visit the SkySquad website or call 877-359-2256.

Travel Tips

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. On-site TSA PreCheck enrollment is now offered to departing passengers after they are cleared through security through a new enrollment program, which you can learn more about here.

Security screening & packing correctly

  • AUS has 4 security screening checkpoints and all checkpoints lead to all gates.
  • The TSA has reported that AUS passengers continue to bring a record number of guns to security checkpoints this year. Bringing prohibited items, such as firearms and liquids exceeding 3.4 oz., will cause delays for passengers. Passengers can visit TSA.gov for guidance on how to pack and what items are allowed in carry-on luggage.
  • For passengers traveling with food, meat, seafood, vegetables and other non-liquid food items are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. If the food is packed with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other container, the ice or ice packs must be completely frozen when brought through screening. If the ice or ice packs are partially melted and have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they will not be permitted.
  • If you are traveling with gifts, TSA recommends sending gifts ahead by mail, or waiting to wrap them until you arrive at your destination.

Parking and/or dropping off passengers

  • Visit ABIAParking.com to reserve a parking space and check for real-time parking availability before arriving at the airport, which highly recommends reserving a space in advance as reservations will fill up fast.
  • 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, go to the upper-level departures and pick up from there. Use whichever level is least congested.

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 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.
  • Consider requesting TSA Cares Assistance, 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.

Checking into your flight

  • Airline ticket counters open at various times. Passengers should contact the airline directly for hours of operation.
  • Passengers without checked luggage can bypass the busy airline ticket counters and head immediately to TSA screening checkpoints by using a mobile boarding pass to skip the airline ticket counters or 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.

Getting the most out of AUS

  • Once inside, explore the food, new art installations, live music stages, shopping and more using step-by-step directions on the AUS digital wayfinding map

Information for Allegiant and Frontier travelers

  • Passengers flying Allegiant or Frontier will depart from The South Terminal, 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 there is shuttle service to the terminal, Allegiant and Frontier passengers are advised 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.