Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the primary commercial airport serving the Austin metropolitan area and one of the fastest-growing major airports in the United States. Built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base and opened in 1999, AUS has expanded dramatically alongside Austin's emergence as one of America's leading technology and cultural centers, adding international routes and terminal capacity to keep pace with a metro population that has grown among the fastest in the country.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport occupies the site of Bergstrom Air Force Base, which closed in 1993. The airport opened six years later as a purpose-built facility with Austin's cultural DNA embedded from the start — notably, live music performances in the terminal have been a feature of the passenger experience since opening day, reflecting Austin's status as the Live Music Capital of the World.
The main terminal at AUS is the Barbara Jordan Terminal, named after the pioneering Texas congresswoman and civil rights leader. The terminal has expanded substantially from its original configuration through multiple capital projects, adding the South Terminal for ultra-low-cost carriers, a new Barbara Jordan Terminal expansion that opened in 2022, and a planned further expansion to accommodate continued rapid growth.
AUS serves more than 18 million passengers annually in recent peak years and provides nonstop service to an expanding list of domestic and international destinations. Austin's technology sector — anchored by Dell, Apple, Tesla, Samsung, and a dense ecosystem of startups and venture capital — generates substantial business travel demand that has pushed AUS to add direct international routes to European and Latin American cities.
Bergstrom Air Force Base served as Austin's military aviation facility from World War II through 1993. When the base closed as part of the post-Cold War military consolidation, the City of Austin saw an opportunity to replace the aging Mueller Municipal Airport — which was constrained by its central city location — with a modern airport on the larger Bergstrom site.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened in May 1999 as a single-terminal airport built to accommodate Austin's then-modest aviation demand. Within a decade, Austin's explosive growth had begun straining the terminal's capacity. Capital projects have been nearly continuous since the mid-2000s, adding concourses, gates, a second terminal for ultra-low-cost carriers, and expanding the Barbara Jordan Terminal's footprint. The airport's growth story tracks directly with Austin's transformation from a mid-sized state capital into one of America's most significant technology and cultural cities.
AUS has two passenger buildings. The Barbara Jordan Terminal is the primary facility and handles all major airline operations. It has expanded significantly from its original form and now features multiple gate areas and concourses serving Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and international carriers. The South Terminal, a smaller facility located approximately half a mile from the main terminal, handles ultra-low-cost carriers including Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines. Ground transportation connects the two facilities.
A major terminal expansion project — the Barbara Jordan Terminal development program — is adding substantial new gate capacity and passenger amenities to the primary terminal to accommodate projected continued growth.
Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at AUS by seat count, providing high-frequency domestic service across its network. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines all operate major domestic hubs connecting AUS to their respective connecting hubs at DFW, ATL, IAH, and ORD. Alaska Airlines operates West Coast routes.
International service from AUS has grown substantially in recent years. British Airways operates a nonstop route to London Heathrow, Air Canada serves Toronto and Montreal, Lufthansa has operated seasonal routes to Frankfurt, and multiple carriers serve Mexico and Central America. AUS provides nonstop service to more than 90 destinations.
Austin-Bergstrom's most distinctive amenity is its live music program. Local Austin musicians perform at gates throughout the Barbara Jordan Terminal during operating hours, reflecting the city's music culture and providing a genuinely unique passenger experience. The terminal has expanded its dining options significantly with each capital project, incorporating local Austin restaurant brands and reflecting the city's eclectic food culture.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. The terminal features public art installations and a generally comfortable, modern environment. Nursing rooms, interfaith prayer spaces, and pet relief areas are accessible across the terminal. The South Terminal offers more basic amenities consistent with its ultra-low-cost carrier positioning.
AUS does not have a direct rail connection to downtown Austin, though a Capital Metro rail extension to the airport has been studied and remains a long-term planning objective. The primary transit option is the Capital Metro Airport Flyer (Route 20), a frequent bus service connecting AUS to the Downtown Austin Transit Center in approximately 20–30 minutes.
Rideshare services are the most popular ground transportation option at AUS, reflecting Austin's tech-culture affinity for app-based transportation. Taxis serve the ground level. Rental car companies operate from the Barbara Jordan Terminal's ground transportation area. The airport is accessible via TX-71 and SH-130.
AUS offers parking in multiple garages and economy surface lots. The closest garage (Garage A) is adjacent to the Barbara Jordan Terminal and offers short-term parking. Economy garages at greater distances offer lower rates with walking connections. Economy surface lots offer the lowest rates with shuttle service. Parking demand at AUS is high given Austin's limited transit alternatives — advance reservations are strongly recommended during South by Southwest (SXSW, March), Austin City Limits Music Festival (October), and Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend.
Austin's major festivals — particularly SXSW in March and ACL Fest in October — generate extremely high demand at AUS, with passenger volumes spiking significantly above normal. If traveling during these events, book flights and parking well in advance and expect longer security lines and crowded terminals. The Formula 1 USGP weekend at Circuit of the Americas in October similarly drives significant travel peaks.
The live music performances at the gates are a genuine feature of the AUS experience, not a promotional gimmick — local musicians are compensated performers. The Barbara Jordan Terminal expansion has improved capacity, but AUS remains a constrained airport during peak periods. Use TSA PreCheck if available, as standard security lines can be long during busy periods.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the aviation gateway to one of the most economically dynamic metropolitan areas in the United States. Austin's technology sector — home to Dell's headquarters and major campuses for Apple, Tesla, Samsung, Google, and scores of startups — generates substantial business travel demand and international connectivity requirements that have driven AUS's international route expansion. The airport directly enables Austin's technology economy, its tourism industry (anchored by SXSW, ACL Fest, and Formula 1), and its growing convention business.
AUS supports tens of thousands of jobs in the Austin metro area and generates billions in annual economic output. Its growth trajectory reflects Austin's position as one of the most significant emerging global technology cities.
AUS is in the middle of one of the most ambitious airport expansion programs in the United States. The Barbara Jordan Terminal expansion program is adding new gates, concourses, and passenger amenities to accommodate projected growth to 30+ million annual passengers. A long-term master plan addresses international arrival and departure capacity expansion, new parking infrastructure, and eventual potential rail connectivity. The airport authority is pursuing sustainability goals consistent with Austin's environmental commitments.
AUS is a medium hub airport and a rapidly expanding regional gateway, supporting both domestic travel and growing international demand driven by Austin's booming technology and cultural economy.
There are no Airports within approximately 60 miles of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport that may provide additional scheduled commercial or regional access.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the physical manifestation of Austin's remarkable rise — an airport that has expanded nearly continuously since opening to keep pace with one of America's fastest-growing and most dynamic cities. Its live music program, locally-flavored dining, and increasingly global route network capture the Austin spirit while serving the genuine aviation needs of a metropolitan economy that has transformed the American technology landscape.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has featured live music performances in the terminal since its opening in 1999, reflecting Austin's identity as the Live Music Capital of the World. Local musicians perform at gates throughout the Barbara Jordan Terminal during operating hours as compensated performers, not volunteers.
Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier. American, Delta, United, and Alaska also operate major domestic service. International carriers including British Airways (London), Air Canada, and several Latin American carriers serve AUS. Ultra-low-cost carriers Allegiant and Frontier use the South Terminal.
No direct rail connection currently exists. The Capital Metro Airport Flyer (Route 20) bus connects AUS to the Downtown Austin Transit Center in approximately 20–30 minutes. A future rail extension to the airport has been studied but is not yet funded for construction.
South by Southwest (SXSW) in March, Austin City Limits Music Festival (October), and the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend are the peak travel periods at AUS. Book flights and parking well in advance for these events.
For the most current flight schedules, parking availability, terminal maps, and ground transportation updates, visit the official Austin-Bergstrom International Airport website.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Official Site