Austin’s airport could get hectic as the Thanksgiving weekend ends
Sunday and Monday look to be extremely busy days at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Austin Pro Photo
A calm Austin-Bergstrom International Airport? On a holiday weekend? In this economy? It’s true … so far. According to a spokesperson for AUS, Friday, November 25, wasn’t a terrible day at the airport, and Saturday, November 26, shouldn’t be too bad, either.
The spokesperson tells MySA that Friday’s estimated departing passengers is 23,000, and that Saturday’s will likely be just a smidge over that. For reference, the airport’s all-time record, set on October 22, was 43,177 passengers after F1 and an Austin FC playoff game. That figure smashed the previous record, set the week before at 35,000.
But the airport is preparing for a busy Sunday, November 27, and Monday, November 28 — historically crazy travel days in Austin anyway — particularly before 8 a.m. Here’s what to do to avoid spending nine hours at the Parkside bar after missing your flight out of Austin at the end of the holiday weekend.
Arrive earlier than seems humanly possible
Older folks love reminiscing of the days when you could stroll up to the airport five seconds before the cabin doors closed and board your flight. Common knowledge for most airports has been to arrive an hour early for domestic and two hours before international flights. Those will be the halcyon days I refer to at a later time.
AUS is asking folks screening through TSA to arrive 2.5 hours early for domestic and three hours early. If returning a car or checking luggage, yes, it is advisable to arrive even earlier than that.
Check before driving your Subaru Outback to the airport
On Thursday, ABIA Parking tweeted that all their lots were full. The garages and economy lot reopened today, but space has become limited as the day has worn on.
Airport staff recommends checking parking availability at ABIAParking.com or by calling 512-530-3307.
Hit up the SkySquad for extra assistance
The newly formed SkySquad is meant to help parents get strollers through security, the elderly make it to their gates, and anyone with a mobility issue or simply looking for concierge service at AUS. Packages start at $49 and need 24 hours advance notice for booking.
