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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

4 star rating
based on 101 reviews

Category: Airports  [Edit]

3600 Presidential Blvd.
Austin, TX 78719

101 reviews for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

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22

72

david f.

Austin, TX

4 star rating
10/5/2009

I was vehemently opposed to this airport because I liked the old one so much, mostly because I could see my car from the plane. But it became cramped and hard to navigate as Austin grew.

The ABIA facility is great to fly in and out of because of its great "local" amenities. No other airport in the world has Amy's Ice Cream. Or how about live bands? Or Texas music on the intercoms?

TSA works quickly. However, big tip: on the Monday morning after ACL or SXSW you should arrive two hours before your flight, especially if you are checking luggage. The lines are very very long and there seem to be more (than usual) people with piercings and pieces of metal in their heads that occasionally slow down the metal detectors.

While you wait for your bags, check out the floor inlays with old city maps.  Sometimes the Gibson guitars are on view, or some great sculpture.

If you have time before your flight, there are a number of interesting dioramas with historical displays.  Keep a sharp eye for celebrities, you never know who you will see coming to Austin.

Also, there is a decent small Book People, gift shop, massage, etc.

My only knock is the "International" part. It is not an international airport. No customs, no duty free, no flights to other countries unless you count anything outside as another country.

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970

Greg D.

College Station, TX

4 star rating
8/24/2009

This is my favorite airport to use in Texas.  Now living in Austin, Houston and often in between I have been tempted to take advantage of lower airfare that can be found when using the two Houston airports.  Yet many times I have decided to pay more to fly from and to here.   This is a great airport.  Very large and to me it beats Houston Intercontinental hands down.   The people are friendly here, unlike in Houston where it's so hot and the traffic is so bad that people are sick.  

The parking is vast but be prepared to walk further than if using Houston Hobby.  

The nicest thing here is the food.   This airport has some of the best restaurants I have ever seen in any airport in the US.   There's one pub in the Dallas Love Airport that compares, but everything here is just fantastic.   Someone could have fun just reviewing all of the restaurants in this airport and I don't suspect there's one less than 3 stars.   You might even find a 4.5 or generous 4.9 in here!

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67

Kantiki J.

Austin, TX

3 star rating
9/18/2009

Two major changes that cut down the rating, no more free WiFi and the nightflier bus into downtown has been terminated. AUS was once one of my favorite airports and these are large hits to my experience.

It still has great service, both at check-in and thru security, and it moves at a steady (if not quick) pace. It is still as pretty as an airport can get, with plenty to explore (and to hide your wallet from). The food is great, but it's the ATX; that's a requirement. I've never yet had a delayed or dropped flight in a decade of service here.

I need to state again how awesome security is. I usually arrive late at night... technically, in the morning. When the late bus was canceled, security tried talking SuperShuttle into letting me on for a discount. They weren't going for it. Instead, security showed me all the most comfy places to sleep where cleaning wouldn't annoy me. This is a drastic contrast to... say... Boston, where my friend RyGuy was kicked out for having too long of a layover by Homeland Security. Mad props and gratitude to AUS Security.

...but no free WiFi... and no way to get outta the airport on a dollar if you arrive after the bus stops running during the day. Two huge parts of the Austin culture that have been cut out of the airport, and both have already cut into my experience here.

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Elite '09

15

167

Kevin W.

Alameda, CA

4 star rating
8/25/2009

What a brilliantly desigined airport, there are many shops and dining opportunities to satisfy anyone.

The bookstore is one of the largest ones I have ever seen in any airport.

The energy that circulates is also quite peaceful and exciting, which I have never experienced any place else.

Denver has some serious competition for being my favorite airport.

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Heather M.

Cedar Park, TX

4 star rating
10/10/2009

Ya gotta love Austin, TX...Live music at an airport. I would say it's cool to have all the local restaurants in the airport...but the airport still NEEDS a Starbucks....MAN I'm having withdrawls

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Elite '09

28

102

Pearl H.

Long Island City, NY

4 star rating
8/4/2009

I never really have an issue when I fly through Austin, the airport is spacious and new and very nice.

It's pretty big, but not terribly so, and its not really ever that crowded *knocking on wood*. Plus the fact that Austinians are super nice, helps too!

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509

James B.

San Rafael, CA

3 star rating
10/6/2009

Needs (1) A McDonalds and (2) A highway that actually connects to it. Get to it, hipsters.

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Elite '09

120

453

Cade P.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
7/13/2009

Fark You ABIA!

I come back to visit, am still pleased by your clean, but tiny airport self, and low and behold--no more free Wi Fi!

Lose 2 stars! You're Austin, dammit, allegedly the "new Silicon Valley." Act like it! Bust out the free Wi-Fi and be the tech city you know you want to be, but are losing grip on quickly!

[walks away, depressed and sad]

I knew I left Austin right at the right time. It was good to me for 9 years, but I left right when it started losing all that makes it wonderful. Mark my words! With the toll roads come pay-for Wi-Fi and a Houstonian feel.

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Elite '09

631

345

mariah c.

Ann Arbor, MI

5 star rating
6/18/2009

Seriously - how is everyone here so durn friendly? I've been through here several times now and unlike every other airport (where people seem consistently crabby), people seem to be in a pretty darn good mood here!

Last time, the woman at security even busted out an enthusiastic version of the "Me and Mariah go back like babies with pacifiers" rap. Usually, if people do this, they are so sheepish about reciting it that it just ends up awkward.  Not this lady, she cracked me up cause she was cracking herself up!

I was stuck here about an hour longer than I expected, but with live music (not my favorite, but still -- they have a *stage* near the airport food court?!), friendly folks, and not every food option being deep fried or cardboard (like at many an airport), I really didn't mind at all. Electrical outlets were also plentiful, so I was able to take advantage of the time to work!

If I ever have to be stuck in an airport for an extended period of time, I could only wish it would be like this one!

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140

Heather J.

Waterloo, IA

3 star rating
7/25/2009

MSP your still my favorite, but I do enjoy flying into Austin.  This place has decent restaurants, good frequent flier clubs, and if you forgot some, you can pick up a couple of decently priced souvenirs at their boutiques-
Keep Austin Weird, University of Texas and such stuff.
I have yet to discover another airport where you can get a burrito, Amy's ice cream, music, and why not some BBQ too if you want.
Again I could add a star if they would go with the free Wi-Fi.

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Elite '09

84

44

Marian H.

Peoria, AZ

5 star rating
5/12/2009

I love ABIA. This airport makes visiting Austin so enjoyable. The design, location and employees of this airport make traveling to Austin outstanding!

This is a very travel friendly airport easy to get to as well as navigate through the terminal. Everyone I encountered from TSA agents, Airline employees and restaurant staff are eager to help and pleasant to interact with. The music that is piped in is Austin's own and on occasion I have seen live performances in the terminal.

The eateries that are in the terminal are also Austin's own allowing visitors to sample local items from donuts to barbecue from area restaurants at reasonable prices.

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Elite '09

247

174

Alisa M.

Encinitas, CA

5 star rating
4/29/2009

This airport rocked my world. As soon as I got off the plane I quickly found my way to the baggage area and my luggage was the first to come out. Too bad the strings on it jammed up the entire carousel. But I got my bags so that's all that really mattered. Sorry people.

On my flight back I got there early and decided to have some lunch. Well imagine my surprise when I discovered they don't jack you on the prices for the food. Everything was reasonably priced which is so not typical of airports.

This was also the easiest airport for me to navigate. I am severely directionally challenged and get lost in my own neighborhood sometimes. So this was a huge plus for me!!!

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312

Mark L.

Austin, TX

5 star rating
6/8/2009

I've been through many many many many airports around this country and ABIA sits among the best. It has the advantage of being one of the newest airports, which makes it more modern and customer friendly then others that go back to the dawn of aviation. It's pretty easy to get from curb to gate and gate to baggage claim
Many of the food stands are local (no Starbucks!!! YES! ) and the prices are decent for an airport. There is music in the bar in the afternoon.
It needs free internet - charging for it is a crime, when many other airports offer it for free and the city has free internet zones around town. And it needs the food places to not close so early. But otherwise it's a nice place to come home to after a long trip.

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Elite '09

159

179

Marissa S.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
3/30/2009

Out of all the airports I have been to Austin ranks up there among the best.

I was a dingbat and I missed my flight. Luckily, being from the South I know that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. After witnessing a New Yorker throw a hissy fit right in front of me because she made a mistake and missed her flight,  I figured it would be better to err on the sweet and apologetic side. After all it was not the flight of the woman behind the desk, it was mine for not realizing that my flight out of HOUSTON left at 7:10, not AUSTIN. So...sweet got me booked on the next flight, and she even told me which security line was the fastest to get through, and I didn't have to wait in line at all!

The Austin airport is small enough to get around quickly, and never seems crowded. I always feel like I just missed the rush, or perhaps they are so efficient there never is a backup. Whatever it is, it works, and it is always a pleasure.

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Elite '09

62

228

Kat L.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
4/20/2009

Waiting on a flight at 9 in the morning?

Only in Austin can you grab a bbq brisket taco and a margarita from a local establishment (NOT a national chain) as you sit back and enjoy live music, and maybe peruse a magazine purchased from a locally-owned bookstore.

God bless Texas, and God bless ABIA!

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Elite '09

29

256

Keven W.

Cypress, CA

4 star rating
8/8/2009

I really like this airport, they have good food there. I really like eating at Salt lick before leaving.  I have to try Amy's ice cream one day. I heard it is really good.  The airport is not too bad itself and it is really one of the nicer airports. I like the University of Texas Austin store too, they have a ton of sovenirs there just in case you did not go to the co-op.  Anyways you can get Mexican food there too.  I usually bust out the wallet and pay for overpriced airport food, but is sure good.  The airport is clean and easy to get in and out. I rented a car there too and it was not too bad. You do not have to take a shuttle, it is right there so you can not miss your flight at all.

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Elite '09

34

137

David P.

Austin, TX

5 star rating
5/12/2009

Sure, I'll review an airport, why not? Because if you're flying into Austin, you need to be informed about all your options when landing your plane. You should definitely request your pilot land here vs the old Mueller location or Lake Travis or MoPac.
Why? Well, there are lots of local businesses, live music, art exhibits, and you're a lot less likely to clip the top of a Best Buy.

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Elite '09

44

312

Jim L.

Austin, TX

5 star rating
1/23/2009

I rank AUS as one of my favorite airports. While airlines can pull any number of stunts to piss you off, one should not blame the airport if your issue is not the airport's. Right?

I fly regularly and I find the parking lots easy, though their rates went up this year, unfortunately, the security manageable, and the gate areas clean.

My suggestions: If you have flexible travel scheduling, avoid the following times for check-in areas and security, which are busy:

M-F 6:45 AM - 9: 00 AM
Sat: 10 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday: after 3 PM

These are tougher times simply because of the traffic. If you have to leave during these times, give yourself 90 minutes to park and get to your gate. If you are going during off times, it takes almost no time to get through, unless you are one of those idiots who was in front of me last week and kept setting off the metal detector with your endless bling.

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Elite '09

20

83

chelsa v.

Austin, TX

5 star rating
1/31/2009

ABIA is a great airport.  Reasons why:
a) very clean
b) efficient and orderly..i get through all lines whether it be ticketing or security in a timely manner
c) excellent selection of food/snacks that are authentic to Austin, how cool is that?
d) everyone is super friendly
e) it is very open and airy, lots of natural light
f) live music, hello, that is freakin' awesome

the more and more I write reviews I am starting to realize how much I love it here in Austin!!!!

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Elite '09

61

536

Eve S.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
3/13/2009

One of the newer airports if I am not mistaken. (drove by the old one which is now filled with McMansion looking things where the theme song from the Showtime show weeds seems to play)

Clean, efficient, friendly. I was here in 2006 and some of the food court choices seem to have been upgraded.

A nice place to arrive/depart to which is more than I can say for MANY more airports in this  country.

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Elite '09

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tony g.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
10/30/2008

Tiny, tiny airport. Friends of mine had to stay there for about 8 hours. They were sad, I laughed. It was also clean. Five stars!

Zipzap Zubidy Bop!

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Nita N.

Austin, TX

5 star rating
1/21/2009

I've traveled quite a bit across the country and around the world and this is by far my favorite airport.  It is really small so it's incredibly easy to navigate.  You don't have to show up hours before your flight to check in and go through security.  Arriving one hour before your flights departure will give you more than ample time to make it on your flight.  Check-in is a breeze and the security lines always flow quickly, even when they appear to be long.

The airport always looks and feels impeccably clean.  Food choices are also really great, including the Salt Lick, Schlotsky's, Amy's Ice Cream, Austin Java, etc.  

Even dropping off and picking up folks from the airport is a breeze.  Security doesn't hustle you outta the passenger pick-up and drop-off areas like they often do at other airports.

Finding parking is also rarely difficult.  They have shuttles that pick-up and drop passengers off at the airport entrance.  My only complaint about the parking is that the price to park per day has gone up quite a bit.  I believe it was 3 bucks or something ridiculously cheap like that when I first moved here a couple of years a go, but now it's 6 or 7 bucks per day.  It's still relatively cheap compared to many other airports, but steep for Austin.

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Elite '09

81

186

Stephanie S.

Austin, TX

3 star rating
11/9/2008

Ok, A-B, its time.  Time to get WIFI!!!

 Get off yer ass.  

Although its clean and small and has good food offerings for the traveler, the lack of wifi, the lack of a cell phone lot, the very long time it takes for baggage to come out and that they never tell you which baggage carousel your stuff is coming out on makes this airport frustrating.

The best part of the airport is the big statue of our beloved Barbara Jordan where you can always meet people.  Just tell friends:

"Get your luggage and wait for me by the statute of the nice lady in the chair."

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Elite '09

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Zachary M.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/10/2008

Posting from AUS right now.

Honestly, I have limited airport experience.  I don't fly very often, and when I do, I usually spend as little time in the airport as possible.  But given that my flight leaves at 6:00 am and I have fuck all to do, here we go.

I really liked how easy it was to navigate to from 71.  As well, picking up and dropping of my rental car was stupid easy and put me right in front of the terminal doors.  I wouldn't even think about being this close to the terminal after dropping off a rental car anywhere else.

The big downside of course is that it's now 1:15am, and NOTHING is open.  I've been pacing back and forth trying to find a vending machine or something and the only one I found was one that sells flower bouquets.  Seriously, how can you have a FLOWER BOUQUET VENGING MACHINE and not have a soda machine?  Or a something edible machine?  You know you're hungry when peonies start to look delicious.

Also I don't like that I (read: my company) had to pay for my wifi, given the pervasiveness of wifi throughout Austin in general.

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Laurel W.

Indianapolis, IN

4 star rating
6/20/2009

I really liked this airport. It is one of the smaller airports I've been too, but there is still a lot going on. Even though it was crowded at the time I arrived for check-in, the staff moved everything along quickly and did it with a smile! It definitely restored my hope in humankind because I actually witnessed TSA employees that were polite! The food options were great, and I still can't get over the fact that they had live music playing. I'm pretty sure no one else does that, but that's what I love about Austin.

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saru s.

Austin, TX

4 star rating
6/8/2009

nice airport with local shops,
so easy to get through
the only time I've found that you really need to get there super early for a flight (as you would with a major (nightmarish) airport) is the spring break/sxsw convergence

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Elite '09

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sarah p.

Minneapolis, MN

4 star rating
7/12/2008

For a small airport, this place is pretty nice. I especially enjoyed the live music--how Austin.

But really this review is dedicated to the woman who offered me a place ahead of her in the security line, since it was pretty crazy and I was running a tad late. In stress incubators like TSA lines, it's rare to have such random acts of kindness bestowed upon you. Thank you so much.

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Elite '09

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Kristy R.

Oakland, CA

4 star rating
5/28/2008

Since I'm a Californian, I think of Austin as the Berkeley of Texas.  That's a compliment, for all you not in the know.

And Austin's airport, well it's hip, well lit and heck, almost fun.  There's actual music playing instead of muzak, the food is respectable, interesting people watching, good bookstore, etc.  

Hell, if I wasn't so busy I might just go hang out there all the time.

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John A.

Buda, TX

5 star rating
12/18/2008

Over the years, I have traveled through most of the major airports in North America and believe the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of the best.

The airport is very visitor friendly and the live music is very cool.

Just another reason why Austin is one of the best places to live !

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Elite '09

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Mary T.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
11/10/2008

This airport proves the old adage true, good things come in small packages. Even though this airport is small it has a lot to offer:

* Clean and well-lit
* Clean bathrooms
* Good food choices - they have an Amy's Ice Cream, need I say more?
* Friendly workers - When I heard our gate was going to undergo random TSA screening I was less than enthused to potentially have my carefully packed bag tossed by a TSA worker. However, a nice TSA lady came to my seat at the gate and gently searched my bag as she said 'to make it as convenient as possible for you' WOW, I was impressed!

My only 2 critiques are: (1) no free wi-fi, but from what I'm learning that's the norm, and (2) the women's bathroom signs are obscured by the gift shops.

Bottom line: This is one of the nicest airports I've visited in a long time and definitely the friendliest.

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Elite '09

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Carla S.

Austin, TX

4 star rating
11/9/2008

This was my very first impression of Austin.  Having been to dozens and dozens of airports around the world, this would be a favorite for its welcoming feeling.  It has a very European feel for me.

It's very easy to navigate probably due in part to its small size.

The only bad thing that happened to me was on a flight back home the security people broken my brand new Spinner's zipper on a bag that I had checked in.  That SUCKED a$$ big time.  I don't really blame the airport though as much as the fact that my Middle Eastern last name probably tripped someone out.  What are you gonna do?

All in all, awesome airport.

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sandra c.

Austin, TX

3 star rating
10/11/2008

I don't know...I just can't get too excited over an airport. I really do miss the funky little Robert Mueller Airport. That was my introduction to Austin...and visiting my love at the time.
That day changed my life. Wow...what a day!! - probably the best in my whole life...and now that airport is gone. :( It was so close to town too...man...i miss it.

BUT - the new one is clean and has so much Austin flare. It's fine - I just miss the memories of the past.

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David M.

Kailua, HI

5 star rating
8/10/2008

Austin Bergstrom International Airport really is as good as it gets as far as airports are concerned.  I've read a bunch of the other reviews for this airport, and no one seems to indicate one that's any better.  I've spent lots of time in airports over the past few years all around the world and I have been unable to find one superior to AUS (or KAUS for you general aviation types).  Here's why I think AUS is so great:

1. Limited traffic means not much time on the ramp between the terminal and the runway.  Compare your wait time here to say, DFW, LHR, LGA, ORD, or even SJC.  None of these even come close to the quickness you experience at AUS.  Another thing I'll note, AUS has 2 runways.  This is the same number of runways as London Heathrow AND New York Laguardia but with a tiny fraction of the traffic.  This is a very very good thing.

2. Good food - Compare the airport food here to any airport except for maybe NRT.  A good comparison would be IAH, DFW, or ORD.  All of those airports have many more restaurants, but i certainly haven't been able to get breakfast tacos at any of those.  There aren't as many choices, but the choices you do have are far superior.

3. Easy parking & Rental Cars - While the rental cars are more important to visitors than residents, the fact that AUS has rental cars available on-airport is a huge deal.  The parking is also great if you use Airport Fast Park (see my review of that one).  Getting in and out is super easy here compared to almost every other airport i've been at (excluding ones that have public transit on-site that you intend on using).

4. Capitol Metro Shuttle - The Capitol Metro Airport Flyer (rte 100) will take you from downtown to the airport for 50 cents!!  I use this every time I'm going on a non-business trip that will have me away more than a few days.  You don't have to bother your friends to take you and it doesn't even really take that long.

5. Lots of good non-stops - For being a small airport, we actually have a lot of good non-stop destinations.  American Airlines also has some obscene amount of flights between here and DFW every day as well, so it tends to be easy to get here if weird things happen in flight.  Sure, I wish there were more international destinations, but I'd much rather have the conveniences of a small airport than have to deal with all the mess of having a place like DFW be your home airport.

That said, I have had my fair share of squabbles at this place but compared to the amount of issues I've had in other airports, I have yet to find one better than AUS.  Sure, the admiral's club could be nicer (like the showers in DFW terminal D), a first-class/elite security line would be nice, but hey.. it's Austin, it's smaller and it's wonderful.

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nathan r.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
5/19/2009

Austin-Bergstrom IA is one of my favorite airports- great design, and the employees at all the shops, and even the TSA workers are all great.  The only beef I have is that many of the restaurant kiosks close early- 5PM on a Saturday???  Meh.  It lead me to wander a bit and I'm glad I did- cause I stopped into a BBQ kiosk that I was skeptical about, but actually wasn't half bad- in fact- I'd say it was downright good, much like the airport it's housed in.

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Khuyen P.

Long Beach, CA

5 star rating
10/23/2008

Pretty pretty little airport....you are the Jet Blue gateway to my favorite city in Texas. It's the equivalent size of John Wayne in Orange County...but just more design sensitive and located somewhat outside of Austin. It's a convenient distance to and from Austin..

The architecture and design is graceful and airy....one could never feel claustrophobic. Waiting for your flight is a pleasure...there are great restaurant's that have put in little version in the airport that I would normally enjoy while I was living in Austin. The Salt Lick BBQ, Amy's, Mangia, Schlotsky's and randomly, Waterloo Records. I didn't stop and eat/shop at any of them...but it's nice to know that I can get my Salt Lick fix [instead of driving all the way into boonie land Buda, Tx] and Amy's Ice cream fix all within 10 feet of each other. Baggage claim is easy...luggage comes out fairly quickly.

Easy breezy does it!

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Elite '09

2885

1549

Andrea R.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
3/16/2008

When you deal with the Chicago O'hare airport on at least a monthly basis you appreciate a small airport like this one. I'm always prepared to get to the airport at least 2 hours early, but I've learned that an hour is more than enough time at the Austin Airport.

I'm not thrilled with the food selections: Amy's ice cream has some serious work to do on their fro yo, Schlotzsky's Deli may be the worst deli ever, and the bbq and tex mex options just don't do it for me. But I did discover an Auntie Anne's and her pretzels always make me happy when traveling.

No free wi-fi, although the lovely Michelle B tells me she was able to pick up the wi-fi outside of Amy's yucky ice cream.

Overall, I'm a fan! The check-in and security lines are stress free and my flights always seem to leave on time from there, although I have a feeling I just cursed myself into a very long delay for my next Austin departure.

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Elite '09

136

459

Lisa V.

Long Beach, CA

3 star rating
2/19/2008

It was modern and nice.... but really?  Why is everything closing up shop at 7:38pm on a Monday?  It was President's Day, but that seems supremely early to me.  Luckily for me, Gate 14 where we were near was the one and only bar.  It was a hot dog place but had a full bar!

Also, was it just me, but anywhere we had soda water in our cocktails in Austin it just seemed a little bit off. Kind of flat?  If you need a mixer, stick with a juice or something. Don't ask for a vodka soda!

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Elite '09

120

499

Sabrina A.

San Jose, CA

3 star rating
10/8/2008

The airport itself is nice, clean, on time, friendly people, interesting stores and one of the nicer airports I've been in.

But the food is all the same, not very healthy.  From hambergers, hot dogs, philly cheese steaks . .  really it was a struggle to find something healthy.  I setteled on a ham sandwich on rye that was premade.

Also no free Wi-fi, it was pretty expensive - 7.95 I think!

But it was fine overall.

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Elite '09

60

191

Randall R.

Austin, TX

4 star rating
12/11/2007

Where's my damn luggage??

That sums up my only true complaint.  I have no idea what the "system" is for getting luggage from the plane to the baggage carousel.  My guess is
1) smoke a big bowl while the passengers disembark,
2) start unloading the plane,
3) giggle for about 10 minutes at a fart joke,
4) say 'oh shit, we gotta get these outta here',
5) get lost on the way,
6) hit the can before
7) putting the bags onto the belts.

But really, that's it.

This airport is SO reflective of the city...and that is way cool.   Name one other airport that:

not only has live music in the bars, but the musicians are playing their own tunes (most of the time) instead of crappy covers of Margaritaville or Love Shack,  

features a bunch of actual local restaurants instead of nothing but a choice between some sort of cheaply thrown together "theme" restaurant or fast food,

has such short security lines that you are almost always going through in under 5 minutes,

and is so easy to navigate that even your blind 85-year old grandmother can find her way to and from the gate.

There aren't enough direct flights yet, but I think that's changing.  All in all, I can't think of another airport anywhere that I'd rather regularly fly in and out of.

Now put down the spliff and get me my damn luggage, will you?

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15

82

eric s.

Austin, TX

3 star rating
2/19/2008

This airport gets such a high rating simply for the selection of food within.  Most airports have really mediocre food choices and maybe just one good choice that is of course way at the far end of the terminal you are not in, where AUS has many good choices throughout.

The layout is convenient and not too spread out and confusing (wish I could say that about some other Texas airports).  It also is conveniently located relative to most parts of the city.

I do have to ding the airport for three reasons:

They really could use a call lot.  Anyone who has tried to pick someone up at the airport knows how annoying it is to circle two or three times and get the security to flash their lights at you if you decide to pull over and wait for a couple minutes.  Call lots are small, easy, and just depend on your traveler to call you when they are waiting and would ease much bottleneck in the pick up area.

There should be an hour of free parking, it seems that picking someone up and not circling almost always takes exactly 31 minutes, which is the cutoff for free parking, and they literally do charge you if you hit 31 (even if that is while waiting in line behind the person paying before you) just smells of ripoff.

The short free parking and lack of a call lot would be much lesser if it wasn't for the fact that AUs has one of the slowest baggage claim areas I have ever encountered.  I would think that a small airport would have an easier time than a big one, but it always takes at least 30 minutes (and often more) from the time you deplane, get to the baggage claim, and just wait for your luggage to show up.

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