Every morning, we send you a free email packed with Austin news, business, and entertainment. Join 20,000+ readers who wake up to Austonia's newsletter.
Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed
American Airlines is adding two new flights from Austin-Bergstrom to Caribbean destinations this summer. (Visit Jamaica/Facebook) (Visit Mexico/Facebook)
With new destinations to Cozumel, Mexico and Montego Bay, Jamaica beginning June 11, American Airlines will offer 40 total flights from the rapidly-growing airport, including eight international routes.
In just over a year, American has added 30 new destinations from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which saw a record number of new flights in the second pandemic year. The airport has announced a massive 2040 master plan in lieu of ballooning growth, with plans to add 10 new gates, an underground tunnel, an American Airlines Admirals Club and other nifty add-ons already in the works.
“We’re proud to strengthen our commitment to Austin by providing local customers more options to fly nonstop to popular destinations,” Brian Znotins, American's Vice President of Network Planning, said in a press release. “Whether it’s to the beaches of Cozumel and Montego Bay, or the dozens of other destinations we offer from Austin, we look forward to further connecting Central Texans to our global network.”
Eyed as one of the fastest-growing airports in the U.S., Austin-Bergstrom's Jacqueline Yaft said the airport is happy to announce the new routes as customers continue to take to the skies at record pace.“As we see Central Texas travelers returning to the skies, the announcement of new service to two fantastic leisure destinations is perfectly timed for those starting to think about their summer travel plans,” Yaft said. “Today’s news shows the continued strength of the Austin market, and we welcome American’s decision to bring even more air service options to AUS.”
Starting June 11, American will offer a 2.5-hour outbound flight from Austin to Cozumel at 9:20 a.m. on Saturdays, with the return flight arriving back in Austin at 3:20 p.m. on the same day. The airline's Montego Bay flight will also depart on Saturdays, leaving at 8 a.m. before coming back at 3:53 p.m.
Tickets for the new routes will go up for sale on Monday, Jan. 24 at aa.com.
- Austin airport sees 1M passengers for first time since COVID - austonia ›
- Airlines target Austin for direct flights - austonia ›
- Austin airport sees busiest travel week since the pandemic - austonia ›
- Airport expecting busiest Thanksgiving travel season to date - austonia ›
- Holiday travel drives long wait times, delays at Austin airport - austonia ›
- Lines stretch across airport after bomb threat clears - austonia ›
- American Airlines plans for 15,000-square-foot lounge at ABIA ... ›
- Complete guide to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport - austonia ›
- Austin airport will close South Terminal as part of expansion - austonia ›
- Austin-to-Frankfurt direct flight resuming after hiatus - austonia ›
- Direct flight from Austin to Amsterdam starts late March - austonia ›
- Austin airport adds new nonstop Spirit Airline flight to Monterrey - austonia ›
- Austin airport adds new direct flight to Colorado mountain ski destination - austonia ›
Popular
- San Marcos favorite Industry Burger opens "mid-October" on E. 5th, featuring "low key healthy" Texas fare.
- Still Austin Whiskey Co. introduces "The Artist," its new rye whiskey.
- Domain NORTHSIDE favorites Bakery Lorraine, Grimaldi's Pizzeria, Jeni's Ice Cream and Sprinkles released their fall flavors.
- Cinnaholic at The Arboretum opens Friday, October 14, serving "create your own" cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats.
- San Francisco's Marufuku Ramen opens next Wednesday, October 12, in the Mueller District.
- Carpenter Hotel announces its popup food truck, Lil Carpenter, open Fri-Sun both ACL weekends, serving what you want, early to late, coffee to donuts, to dogs/burgers/fries/beer.
(AUS airport/Instagram)
With major entertainment events slated for October, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is gearing up for a busy month.
Artists and music lovers are set to pack into Zilker Park for The Austin City Limits Music Festival in the coming two weekends. Following that, Formula One will bring racing fans to the Circuit of the Americas.
For those two events, the airport is anticipating high passenger days with 30,000 or more people departing flights.
ABIA recommends arriving at least two and a half hours in advance for domestic flights on those days. For ACL, it's expected on both Sundays of the festival along with the Monday and Tuesday after. The F1-driven high passenger days are expected on Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 23-26.
\u201c#AustinCityLimits visitors, you\u2019re in for a weird and wild ride \ud83e\udd18\u262e\ufe0f \n\nFlying in or out of our airport? We got firm and fun tips for you: https://t.co/RawVRalOXN\u201d— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) (@Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)) 1664894083
F1, especially, could draw in loads of travelers as the three-day event saw 400,000 attendees last year. ABIA warns that highways leading to the airport may see even higher traffic than usual around the event and that travelers should plan their route accordingly.
Bailey Grimmett, a spokesperson for ABIA, said travel numbers come in 24 hours in advance. So, it's hard to predict if the airport will see travel volumes at the same levels that have happened around previous F1 races or if it'll top ACL's flight traffic.
Still, she says historical knowledge points to a chance for it.
“We've had that Monday after F1 break the record for single busiest in airport history," Grimmett said. "So context clues I would say yes, but I can't confirm that. But the historical background points to that."
In anticipation of the high volume of flyers, the airport received additional TSA officers for security screening through the end of October. To prepare even further, the Department of Aviation and partners hosted a job showcase and hiring fair to address the continued labor shortage the airport has experienced.
Relief from hectic travel days is on the horizon with November likely to see a slowdown.
"I don't anticipate it will be as busy as October just because we don't have as many events going on," Grimmett said. "Thanksgiving is kind of our primary holiday that we see a lot of passengers coming in and out of the airport."
