Austin's Dual Airport System: How It Works

Austin, Texas, has several airports, both public and private. The main airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. The airport has two terminals, the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the South Terminal, which are not connected and must be accessed separately. The city's second airport is the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, which was replaced by Austin-Bergstrom as the main airport in 1999.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Overview

History

The airport is built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, an officer and the first person from Austin killed in World War II. The base was decommissioned in the early 1990s, and the city of Austin used the land to replace the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, opening the new airport in 1999.

Facilities and Services

Transportation and Parking

The airport is easily accessible by car, and various ground transportation options are available, including rental cars, ride-sharing services, shuttles, and the Capital Metro Bus Line. The airport also provides a consolidated rent-a-car centre with several rental car companies.

For parking, the Barbara Jordan Terminal has the red and blue parking garages, while the South Terminal has separate parking lots, including premium, SpotHero close-in, and economy options.

Airlines and Destinations

All airlines except Allegiant and Frontier operate from the Barbara Jordan Terminal, offering nonstop service to numerous domestic and international destinations. The airport has seen an increase in new nonstop flights, contributing to its rapid growth in passenger numbers.

Barbara Jordan Terminal

The Barbara Jordan Terminal is the largest terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, serving the Greater Austin metropolitan area. The terminal is named after Barbara Jordan, an American lawyer, educator and politician who was the first African American to represent a southern state in the US Congress since Reconstruction.

The terminal is located north of the airport and can be accessed from TX-71. It has a semi-oval shape with two long concourses at either end where flights arrive and depart. There is a split-level roadway across the two levels of the terminal, with a curbside drop-off and pick-up on the upper and lower levels. The terminal has 34 gates, six of which are capable of handling international flights. Ticketing is located on the upper level, split into east and west ticketing counter areas. There are three security checkpoints in the terminal, located near the entrances to both concourses and in the middle of the central departure gates. The central departure gate area has nine gates, numbered 15 to 23. The East Concourse has 13 gates, numbered 1 to 13, and the West Concourse has 11 gates, numbered 24 to 34.

The terminal features a variety of restaurants, shops, and other amenities. There are several restaurants and food concessions inside the terminal, with all but two located inside the secured gate areas. The terminal also has a live music stage where local bands perform, in keeping with Austin's proclamation as "The Live Music Capital of the World." In addition, the terminal offers banks, currency exchanges, gift shops, newsstands, chair massages, and more. For nursing or pumping mothers, there are two private rooms/pods available at the terminal. A family viewing area is also located near the terminal for plane spotting.

The Barbara Jordan Terminal offers various ground transportation options, including rental cars, ride-sharing services, shuttles, and public buses. The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Route 20 operates from the arrivals level of the terminal every 15 minutes, providing service to downtown Austin and the University of Texas. Additionally, the airport is planned to be the southern terminus of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Blue Line light rail, which is expected to be completed by 2029.

South Terminal

The South Terminal is a small, separate terminal located about 15 minutes south of the main Barbara Jordan Terminal at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It is located near US 183 and Burleson Road, at 10000 Logistics Ln, Austin. The South Terminal is used exclusively by ultra-low-cost carriers Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines for domestic flights. It has three gates and does not have jet bridges; passengers walk under a covered walkway to board the aircraft by stairs. The terminal features a quirky decor, an outdoor patio, and a food truck park offering various dining options, including tacos from De Nada Tacos.

The South Terminal is not connected to the main terminal, and travellers must use separate entrances and parking lots for each terminal. A shuttle bus service is available between the two terminals, with a travel time of approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The South Terminal has separate parking lots, including a premium lot in front of the terminal, a SpotHero close-in lot to the east, and an economy lot further east. All parking lots are within walking distance, but a complimentary shuttle is also provided for the economy lot.

The South Terminal was built at a cost of US$12 million by LoneStar Airport Holdings under a 40-year lease. However, as part of the airport's expansion plans, the terminal is scheduled to be demolished. This decision led to a lawsuit from LoneStar Airport Holdings, which resulted in a settlement where the airport agreed to pay $88 million to break the lease.

Airport accessibility

Wheelchair assistance

Passengers who require wheelchair assistance are advised to contact their airline before their travel date to set up the service. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) also offers a Mobility Lounge for passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices, located on the ticketing/departure level.

Non-visible disabilities

Passengers with non-visible disabilities such as autism, anxiety disorders, or dementia can request a sunflower lanyard to wear during their time at the airport. The lanyard is a discrete indicator to airport staff that the passenger may need extra time or assistance. To request a lanyard, passengers can email [email protected] or call (512)-530-2414.

Mobility Assistance Zone (MAZ)

The MAZ provides priority access for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), taxis, and rideshares to reduce travel time and provide a convenient pick-up area for passengers with limited mobility. It is free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., located on the lower level curbside.

TSA Cares

TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travellers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other special circumstances with additional assistance during the security screening process. They can be reached at (855) 787-2227.

Transportation to and from the airport

Various options are available for transportation to and from the airport, including rental cars, ride-shares, shuttles, and Capital Metro buses. SuperShuttle also offers transportation from the airport to locations around the city. A frequent shuttle service to downtown is available for those wishing to explore Austin's entertainment districts.

Transport to and from the airport

There are two terminals at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the South Terminal. The terminals are not connected and are located around 8 miles apart. A courtesy shuttle bus is available to transport passengers between the two terminals, with pick-up and drop-off points at the upper level of the Barbara Jordan Terminal and outside the South Terminal.

The airport is easy to get to and from, with various transport options available. It is located only 7.5 miles from the Austin Convention Center and 7 miles from downtown Austin.

For those travelling by car, there are several parking options available at both terminals. The Barbara Jordan Terminal has a red parking garage located directly in front of it, with fees of $5 per hour or $27 per day. There is also a blue parking garage a little further away, which charges $5 per hour or $17 per hour. An economy parking lot can be found behind the red and blue parking garages, with a shuttle service to and from the terminal every 15 to 20 minutes. This lot charges $5 per hour or $10 per day.

The South Terminal also has separate parking lots for passengers departing from this terminal. The premium lot is located directly in front of the terminal, with fees of $22 per day. There is also a SpotHero close-in lot east of the terminal, with pre-paid reservations available for $15 per day. Finally, there is an economy lot further east, which charges $10 per day.

For those travelling by bus, the Capital Metro Bus Line offers a convenient option. Route 20 operates from the arrivals level of the Barbara Jordan Terminal every 15 minutes, taking passengers through the East Riverside Corridor to downtown Austin and the University of Texas. The route then continues along Manor Road to its final destination near US 183, with the full journey taking around 35 minutes. A single ride costs $1.25, while a day pass costs $2.50.

Another option is the Capital Metro Route 100 Airport Flyer, which operates every 30 minutes from the airport (Barbara Jordan Terminal) to downtown via Riverside and Town Creek Drive, and the University of Texas. A single ride on this route costs $1.25.

Shared and private ride shuttles can also be booked through companies such as Carter Transportation. These shuttles can provide transport to and from the Greater Austin Metroplex and beyond, with shared ride fees starting at $13 and private rides from $47.

Taxis are available outside both terminals and can be found at the ground transportation area. There is a minimum fee of $20 for taxi rides, and a trip from the airport to downtown Austin typically costs around $30 to $40, excluding tip.

Ride-sharing services such as Uber, Lyft, Wingz, and Ride Austin are also available and can be picked up from the same ground transportation area as the taxis.

For those renting a car, the rental car facility is located opposite the Barbara Jordan Terminal. It can be accessed by shuttle bus from the South Terminal. Several major rental car companies are available, including Advantage, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z Rent-A-Car, National, and Thrifty.

Frequently asked questions