Austin Bergstrom Airport (AUS) Flights & Flight Status

In Austin, TX, where a rallying cry is “Keep Austin Weird,” the fast-growing Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) does its part by offering passengers a creative line-up of live music, a smorgasbord of regional food vendors, and some unusual art. When I land here, there’s no mistake I’m in Austin. And when I leave the city, there are plenty of reasons to head to the airport early to hang out. Here’s a guide to help you navigate one of the country’s most welcoming airports.

Layout of AUS Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport serves more than 20 million passengers a year with around 20 airlines offering nonstop service to more than 90 domestic and international destinations. The Main Terminal is also called the Barbara Jordan Terminal (BJT) in honor of the lawyer, politician and educator who was, among other things, the first African American congresswoman from the South. You’ll see a life-size bronze sculpture of Jordan in the terminal.

Most of the airlines at AUS operate out of the Main Terminal, which has east and west concourses. Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air use the smaller South Terminal about 8 miles from the Main Terminal. Services there are limited, but there is an outdoor patio with shade, water misters, a bar and a food truck. You can travel between terminals in 15 – 20 minutes on the free airport shuttle.

As part of a major upgrade at AUS, the South Terminal will be demolished and flights on both Allegiant and Frontier will move to the Main Terminal. Airport-wide construction is due to continue through the 2030s, so be prepared to encounter delays and detours for quite a while.

Getting to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Downtown Austin is about 12 miles from AUS airport and easy to access by car, taxi, shuttle van, or rideshare. Taxis and rideshares make pickups at the ground transportation center by the rental car center. The walk to the pickup zone can be uncomfortable on hot days but there’s a free tram you can take instead. Exit bag claim area near carousel 5 and cross the street to the entrance of the Red Garage.

The least expensive way to travel between AUS and downtown is via public transportation. CapMetro’s Bus Route 20 runs about every 15 minutes, 7 days a week and makes the trip in about 35 minutes. The bus stops outside the Main/Barbara Jordan Terminal at a bus shelter that looks like a giant blue neon guitar. Unfortunately, the bus does not stop at the South Terminal, so you’ll need to take the shuttle to or from the Main Terminal if you’re using the city bus.

Security checkpoint experience at AUS

There are 4 security checkpoints at AUS that lead to all gates and are numbered 1, 2 East, 2 West and 3. (Note: due to construction, checkpoint 3 is closed until sometime in 2026.) Checkpoint lanes can be very long at AUS, especially in the morning before 8 am. So, if you have TSA Precheck or Clear membership be sure to head directly to Checkpoint 2 West to get access to an expedited lane.

Music at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World and that’s on full display at Austin’s airport. From Monday through Friday, live music is scheduled on 8 stages and venues scattered throughout the Main Terminal, adding up to more than 1000 live shows a year.

And because this is Austin, where someone once told me “You can’t spit without hitting a Grammy winner,” you can be assured the music you hear at the airport will always be top notch. Look on the AUS website for the weekly schedule or just walk around the terminal until you hear something that you like.

During winter holidays and major events such as South by Southwest and Formula 1 Grand Prix, there will be bonus performances and, occasionally, a surprise set by a well-known star. And don’t just watch the bands. Many celebrities fly commercial, and you may just spot someone you recognize in the crowd.

The overhead music you hear when you step into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a “Made here, Played Here,” playlist of Austin music provided by local broadcaster KUTX (98.9). You can follow along with the playlist on the AUS website.

Art at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

AUS has an excellent permanent public art collection on display inside and outside of the terminal as well as galleries that offer temporary exhibitions. You can preview it all on the AUS website or just be surprised and delighted as you walk around.

One of my favorites art pieces at AUS includes 8 giant fiberglass guitars that sit on top of the bag claim carousels, commissioned from various artists by Gibson Guitars. And is Reality – Texas – Mythology by artist Jill Bedgood which includes images of big hair styles and hats (cowboy and other types of hats) etched on the mirrors in a selection of restrooms in the ticket lobby and in the bag claim.

Near Gate 14, a piece by Janet Zweig titled Interimaginary Departures does double duty as art and a seating area. The immersive work has seats, carpeting, flight display monitors and flight announcements, but the 120 flight destinations and many other elements are fictional.

Eat and drink at AUS

At AUS airport, the emphasis is on food and drink representing and celebrating regional food and popular purveyors. You’ll find tacos, Texas BBQ, brisket, Tex-Mex, beer, ice-cream, pizza, chicken, burgers, sushi and more. Most shops are filled with well-curated local and regional goods as well. You’ll also find a pair of robotic coffee machines and vending machines dispensing LEGO, cupcakes and more.

Like many airports, AUS keeps stats on what’s sold and eaten in the terminal. And the numbers here are quite impressive. Each year the airport sells more than 8,000 “Keep Austin Weird” shirts and serves up more than a million breakfast tacos and about 100,000 pounds of brisket.

Lounges and spas Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

There are 2 Xpress Spa locations at AUS (by Gates 15 and 22) and several airline lounges, including an American Airlines Admirals Club (Gate 22), a Delta Sky Club (on the Mezzanine level, above Gate 1 and 2), and a United Lounge (on the Mezzanine level of the West Concourse). Access may depend on your cabin class, airline status or partnership, or the credit card you have. There is also a temporary Chase Sapphire Terrace with indoor and outdoor seating on the mezzanine level.

Wi-Fi at AUS Airport

You can get four hours of free Wi-Fi by viewing a short ad on the airport’s website. If you use up the four hours, don’t fret. Getting another session simply requires a refresh.

Traveling with kids

Kids will enjoy dancing to the live music, watching the planes, and checking out some of the art. On its website, the airport also has a free coloring and activity book titled Austie The Flying Pup that it full of travel tips for kids and can be downloaded for free.

Best places to watch planes, hear music or escape the crowds at AUS

Head to Gate 1 if you’d like to do some plane spotting. The international flights come and go from this area and the large windows overlook the east runway and the ramp. The Asleep at the Wheel Mainstage, in the center of the terminal concourses, is the airport’s self-proclaimed “loudest and proudest” stage.

Too much noise? There’s a quiet room on the mezzanine level of the airport. It’s not intended for phone calls or meetings (there are banks of Jabbrrbox work booths you can rent for that) but it’s a welcome amenity for anyone who needs a bit of quiet and privacy to pray, meditate or just think.

Hotels near AUS Airport

There are two hotels on AUS property, the Hilton Austin Airport and the Hyatt Place Austin Airport. The hotels sit next to each other, and both have free shuttle service, dining, and outdoor pools.

The Hilton is a full-service hotel with an unusual circular layout. The shape dates to the days when the airfield served as Bergstrom Air Force Base and the building was an air command center referred to as “the Donut.” The hotel doesn’t offer day passes to the pool or fitness center, but if I had an exceptionally long delay or a missed flight, I’d head to the Hilton and chill with a drink by the pool.

AUS cell phone lot amenities

The cellphone lot at AUS airport isn’t just a parking lot with portable loos. It has a gas station, restaurants, indoor and shaded outdoor seating, restrooms and two play areas for kids.

Viewing Area

You can watch commercial, general aviation and small military aircraft come from the Viewing Area on the east side of the airport property. The viewing area has parking, shade and benches. And while it’s called the Family Viewing area, everyone is welcome.