Published: November 20, 2008 10:09 am      

Holiday flying? Get wings early

Austin-Bergstrom officials don’t want your experience to be a turkey

Austin — Thanksgiving is a peak time for travel. 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expects the holiday to attract thousands more passengers than a normal travel day.  

Travelers should arrive at least 90 minutes before their scheduled departure times.  Save time by calling ahead for ABIA Airport On Site Parking real-time information, (512) 530-3300, as parking conditions change rapidly. 

A new service this year is the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Family Lanes, designed for improved passenger flow. 

Families and travelers with special needs or those unfamiliar with air travel procedures may pass through security at their own pace via TSA’s new Family Lanes.  These sort-yourself lanes present the option for passengers needing more time for screening to use a separate lane than passengers traveling lightly.  Individuals carrying medically necessary liquids in excess of three ounces will also be directed to these lanes where they will undergo additional screening.

Travel is expected to be heaviest in the Barbara Jordan Terminal on Tuesday, Nov. 25, Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 30.  Passengers should expect longer than normal lines in the airport.  Arriving at least 90 minutes early allows time for parking, ticketing, and security checkpoints.

This year, 12 new routes – including nine new nonstop destinations – were started by six airlines at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.   JetBlue began new nonstop service to L.A.-Long Beach, Calif., San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Orlando.  Air Canada began a new Toronto-Austin nonstop. 

New carrier vivaAerobus started service from Austin to Monterrey and Cancun.  Southwest began new nonstops to Philadelphia, Oakland, Calif. and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  An Indianapolis – Austin connection was started by Northwest Airlines, and US Airways connected Austin with its Charlotte, N.C. hub. 

Austin-Bergstrom has nonstop service to 41 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nearly 8.9 million passengers came through Austin-Bergstrom International in 2007. A complete listing of all nonstop flight destinations from Austin and the airlines that serve them is available on www.abia.org, click on “airlines & flights.”



Getting through the airport

is smoother for travelers who come

prepared.  The following is recommended:

• While packing, look through luggage to ensure no prohibited items are in the bag or its pockets. 

• Before leaving for the airport, check flight status with airline or the airport’s Web site, www.abia.org, and click on the “flight status, real-time” icon.

• Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before your departure time; International travelers should plan to arrive at least two hours early.

• Allow ample time to get to the airport.  Traffic and weather conditions could add to commute time.

• Be prepared to present a government ID.

• Zip in, zoom out with ABIA On Site Parking:

• Use credit card express lanes.  Just swipe a credit card on the way in and swipe the same card on the way out.   There’s no parking stub to keep track of and in just a swipe of a card you’re on your way. 

• Airport On Site Parking is easy and quick.  Valet Parking and the Airport Parking Garage at the terminal mean no waiting, no buses, and the fastest way into the terminal.   

• During the busy Thanksgiving holiday, flaggers or ABIA On Site Parking 'Helpers' will assist passengers with finding spaces on-site.

• Picking up friends or family at the airport?  Rather than circling the loop and wasting gas, park in the ABIA Parking Garage, where parking less than 30 minutes is free.  Afterwards there is an hourly parking fee structure (0-30 minutes is free; 31-60 minutes is $2; each additional hour is $2, up to a daily maximum of $18.48 plus tax).  Meeters and greeters should also know their arriving passenger’s airline, place of origin and arrival time.

• Be prepared as parking conditions may change rapidly.  Call ahead for ABIA On Site Parking capacity updates, (512) 530-3300.  Information on public transit Capital Metro buses, Super Shuttle, and taxi services is also available at the airport’s Web site: www.abia.org.

• Be prepared for security screening, dress smart and pack smart:

• Remember 3-1-1 for liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage.   Three ounces per container, in a clear, one-quart bag, one per passenger.  These bags should be placed in bins going through x-ray like other personal belongings such as keys.  This will speed up the process as TSA will not have to search for liquids.

• Knives, scissors with pointed tips, pepper spray and other such items are prohibited as carry-on items. For a comprehensive list of banned and permitted items in carry-on baggage, visit the TSA's Web site at www.tsa.gov.

• Carry-on luggage is restricted to one bag and one personal item such as a laptop, purse, backpack or briefcase. A laptop must be removed from its case to go through X-ray machines.

• Avoid wearing jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Consider wearing shoes that can be easily removed as they must pass through X-ray machines.

• Outer coats, jackets and other such garments must be put through X-ray screening.

• Do not wrap gifts as they may have to be opened during security inspections.

For airport information 24 hours a day, call (512) 530-ABIA (2242) or visit www.abia.org.