Exploring Austin Airport's Baggage Claim Area

can you go inside austin airport baggage claim

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the gateway to the vibrant city of Austin, Texas. The airport has two terminals: the main Barbara Jordan Terminal and the South Terminal, used only by Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines. The airport is owned by the City of Austin and operated by the Department of Aviation. With over 22 million passengers in 2023, it is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. The airport offers a range of amenities and services, including dining options, shopping, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, a nursing room, and a pet relief area. The baggage claim area is located on the lower level of the Barbara Jordan Terminal, with four carousels numbered 1-4. Passengers can easily access the baggage claim area and proceed to the airport exits after collecting their luggage.

Characteristics Values
Name Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Location 3600 Presidential Blvd., Austin, TX 78719
Number of Terminals 2
Terminal Names Barbara Jordan Terminal (main terminal) and South Terminal
Number of Gates 22
Facilities Pet relief areas, bathroom facilities, food and beverages, specialty stores, lost and found service, information desks, rental car companies, rideshare services, taxi services, hotel shuttles, parking options, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, nursing room, baggage storage facility
Security Operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA-precheck available at three locations in Austin.
Construction Improvement and modernization projects underway through the Journey With AUS airport improvement program.
Passenger Volume 22 million passengers in 2023. Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays are the busiest days.
Wait Times Long wait times for baggage claim and customs have been reported.

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Picking up passengers

If you're picking up passengers from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, you can drive to either the lower baggage level of the terminal or the upper level as you enter the airport. Both the upper and lower curbside levels are open for passenger drop-off and pick-up. Drivers are encouraged to use whichever level is least congested.

Passengers can quickly get upstairs to ticketing and security using escalators and elevators from the lower arrivals level. If the lower level is congested, arriving passengers can use escalators and elevators to be picked up on the upper level.

There are several rental car companies at Austin-Bergstrom Airport on the first level near the Baggage Claim area. Rideshare services are also available near the Baggage Claim area and can be accessed via rideshare apps. Rideshare drivers will drop off and pick up passengers in front of the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

Taxis are available 24 hours a day at the taxi ranks at the ground level. The Capital Metro Route 20 bus to downtown Austin also operates 24 hours a day and takes about 35 minutes.

The airport offers Red Garage, Blue Garage, Economy, and Short-Term parking options. Designated parking spaces for war veterans are free.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport had its busiest year on record in 2023 with over 22 million passengers. It is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country and is undergoing expansion and modernisation to meet the demands of increased passenger activity.

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Pet relief areas

Only service animals are allowed inside the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport terminal. This includes seeing-eye dogs escorting visually impaired people and other service animals assisting people with disabilities. If you are not a ticketed passenger, you may not bring your pet inside the terminal, including the baggage claim and ticket lobby, unless your pet is a service animal.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has been designed to meet the needs of its diverse travel population. If you require assistance, it is recommended that you provide advance notice to your airline. Your airline will assist you through the airport and the screening queue line.

If you are travelling with a pet, federal and state laws require a health certificate signed by a veterinarian. These certificates must be presented to your airline before your flight. If you are travelling outside the continental United States, be aware that some places, including Hawaii, require your pet to have special vaccinations and may impose a quarantine period upon arrival at your destination.

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Transport options

The following transport options are available at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport:

  • Rental cars: There are several rental car companies located on the first level near the Baggage Claim area.
  • Rideshare services: Rideshare services such as SuperShuttle Express are available near the Baggage Claim area and can be accessed via mobile apps.
  • Taxis: Taxis are available 24 hours a day at the taxi ranks on the ground level. A taxi ride from the airport to downtown Austin or the MetroRail Station costs approximately $33 and takes around 15 minutes.
  • Buses: The Capital Metro Route 20 bus operates 24 hours a day and provides service from the airport to downtown Austin. The bus stop is located on the lower level outside the baggage claim area, and the fare is $1.25.
  • Hotel shuttles: Hotel shuttle services offer pick-up and drop-off outside the Baggage Claim area on the ground level. Passengers can arrange this service directly with their hotels.
  • Parking: The airport offers various parking options, including the Red Garage, Blue Garage, Economy, and Short Term parking. Designated parking spaces for war veterans are available for free.
  • Wheelchair services: All airlines provide wheelchair services from the curb to the aircraft. Passengers requiring this service should contact their airline in advance to make arrangements.
  • Accessibility services: The airport has been designed to meet the needs of diverse travellers, with level floors to facilitate wheelchair mobility. Pet relief areas are also available for service animals before and after security.
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Facilities and services

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) , owned by the City of Austin and operated by the Department of Aviation, is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. The airport has two terminals: the main Barbara Jordan Terminal and the South Terminal, used only by Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines. In 2023, the airport had its busiest year on record, with over 22 million passengers flying in and out of Austin.

Transportation

The airport offers Red Garage, Blue Garage, Economy, and Short-Term parking options. Designated parking spaces for war veterans are available for free. Access points between the main terminal and the parking areas are available.

Rental car companies are located on the first level near the Baggage Claim area. Rideshare services are also available near the Baggage Claim area and can be accessed via mobile apps. Taxis are available 24 hours a day at the taxi ranks on the ground level. The Capital Metro Route 20 bus to downtown Austin operates 24 hours a day and takes about 35 minutes.

Dining and Shopping

The airport offers a range of dining options, with food and beverages available throughout. Inside the secure area, there are restaurants and shops located in the central departure gate area and the individual concourses. The East Concourse has a good selection of shops and restaurants and a Delta Sky Club with an outdoor patio bar. The airport also has a mix of local and national brands, including Austin Article, Book People, and The University of Texas Longhorns.

Amenities

Austin Airport provides free Wi-Fi and plenty of charging stations throughout the airport. Other amenities include a nursing room, pet relief areas, a baggage storage facility, and a family viewing area for plane spotting.

Security and Convenience

Security checkpoints at the airport are operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The airport has multiple TSA and TSA Pre Checkpoints to expedite the security screening process. The TSA Pre Check program allows eligible passengers to go through a separate line and keep on their light clothing and shoes, and leave laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags.

The airport recommends that travellers with special needs provide advance notice to their airline, which will assist them through the airport and screening queue. All airlines provide wheelchair service from curb to aircraft. The floors of the airport are level to facilitate wheelchair mobility.

Lost and Found

The airport has a 24/7 lost and found service located at the west end of the Baggage Claim area. For queries regarding items lost in the public areas of the Barbara Jordan Terminal, travellers can call 512-530-5678. For items lost at a security checkpoint, contact 512-386-2015.

Construction and Development

The airport is undergoing improvement and modernization projects to meet the increasing demands of passengers and airlines. Construction activities may be visible to passengers as the airport expands its facilities, improves systems, and builds new infrastructure.

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Lost and found

If you lose an item at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, there are several lost and found services available to help you retrieve it. The airport's lost and found office is located at the west end of the baggage claim level in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. You can either visit the office in person or call them at 512-530-5678.

If you misplace an item at a security checkpoint, you should contact the TSA Lost and Found at 512-386-2015. For items left on an aircraft, you will need to get in touch with the relevant airline directly. If you are travelling through the South Terminal and lose something, you need to submit an inquiry via the contact page.

The airport's lost and found service is open 24/7 and can assist with any queries regarding lost items within the terminal. You can reach them by phone at +1 512 530 6943. Additionally, information desks are located in the baggage claim area, where staff can provide assistance with various inquiries, including taxi and shuttle services.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is currently undergoing expansion and development to accommodate the increasing passenger and airline activity. As a result, construction activities may be visible to passengers. The airport has implemented various initiatives to enhance security and reduce delays, including installing new screening equipment and expanding checkpoints.

Frequently asked questions

Only service animals are allowed inside the airport. If you are not a ticketed passenger, you may not bring your pet inside the terminal, including the baggage claim area.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, a nursing room, a pet relief area, and a baggage storage facility.

The Lost and Found office is located at the west end of the baggage claim level.

There are several transport options from the airport, including rental cars, rideshare services, taxis, buses, and hotel shuttles.

The time taken to get through customs and baggage claim can vary. Some travellers have reported delays of up to 90 minutes to receive their luggage, while others have found the process to be relatively quick. It is recommended to arrive at least 2.5 hours before domestic flight departure times and 3 hours for international flights.

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