Today at AUS: 49°F and cloudy. Pack a layer—construction detours mean a few extra outdoor minutes between garages, curbs, and pedestrian bridges.

Why this matters now

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is in a $4 billion modernization through the early 2030s, scaling from 15M to 31M+ annual passengers and from 33 to 60+ gates. Current traffic is already 20M+ passengers a year (14M through Aug 2025), so construction impacts are real and immediate.
  • Expect detours, temporary pedestrian bridges, and navigation changes. The good news: international arrivals processing was completed in 2025, and rideshare is returning to the curb for simpler pickups.

What's being built (and when)

  • New Arrivals & Departures Hall: 370,500 sq ft landside expansion, $865M, targeted ~2029. This is the big relief valve for ticketing, security screening, and baggage.
  • New Concourse: 20–30 gates connected via an underground tunnel to the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Phasing runs into the early 2030s.
  • Gates: From 33 today to 60+ by project end.
  • Roadways: Presidential Boulevard is being rerouted to accommodate new facilities.
  • Parking: Red Garage demolition underway; a new West Garage rises 2025–2028.
  • In-Flight Projects Affecting You Now:
    • West Infill: Expanding the terminal's central areas; expect interior construction walls and occasional checkpoint reconfigurations.
    • West Gate Expansion: More holdroom space and amenities near west-end gates, with periodic gate reassignment and narrowed corridors.
    • Outbound Baggage System: Behind-the-scenes work that can intermittently shift airline check-in counters or bag-drop procedures.
  • Airline agreements in place: Southwest, Delta, United, JetBlue, Spirit, American, Alaska—expect more upgauges and frequency increases as gates come online.

How construction changes your trip today

  • Vehicle flow: Presidential Boulevard detours mean tighter loops and occasional lane reductions. Follow the digital signs; if the curb is saturated, make one loop—don't dwell.
  • Walking distances: Temporary pedestrian bridges and barricades add 2–6 minutes of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for it.
  • Wayfinding: Some permanent signs are covered or relocated. Trust the temporary black-on-yellow construction placards; they're current.
  • Rideshare: Pickups return to the arrivals-level curb. Check your app for the correct zone letter; when in doubt, ask a curb marshal before requesting the car.
  • International arrivals: The upgraded facility completed in 2025 reduces wait times and busing. If you're meeting someone, factor in 30–60 minutes from touchdown for them to clear customs during peaks.

Parking and drop-off: Your 2025–2028 game plan

  • Red Garage: Demolition in progress. Do not plan on the Red Garage for short-term parking.
  • West Garage: Under construction (2025–2028). When it opens in phases, it will restore much-needed capacity—but until then, supply is tight.
  • Where to park now:
    • Prebook airport parking early via the official site. Same-day drive-up rates surge during events and holiday periods.
    • Use the existing Blue Garage for closest proximity; consider Economy lots for price relief if you can add a shuttle ride.
    • If you're just picking up, use the Cell Phone Lot. Curbside idling is actively managed and loop policing is strict.
  • Drop-off hack: If departures curb is backed up, go to arrivals level, drop quickly at the far end, and take the interior escalator up. It saves 10–15 minutes at peak.

Security timing: How early to arrive at AUS during construction

  • Domestic, checked bags: 2 hours (2.5 hours Mon 5–9 a.m.; Thu–Fri 3–7 p.m.)
  • Domestic, carry-on only: 90 minutes (2 hours at the above peaks)
  • International departures: 3 hours
  • PreCheck/CLEAR: Still arrive early; construction can condense queues where lanes merge. If a lane looks unusually long, ask a screener about alternate checkpoints—during construction, a different checkpoint can be faster.

Insider tips locals actually use

  • Leave 20 minutes earlier than your "old normal." Construction eats margins—especially when rain or events stack traffic on Presidential Blvd.
  • Peak-avoidance booking: For on-time departures and shorter lines, target Tue–Wed midday or Sat afternoon. Avoid Mon morning and Thu/Fri late afternoon.
  • Gate drift is real: Check your gate twice—at check-in and again at boarding. West Gate work can trigger last-minute swaps that add a long walk.
  • Pack for the walk: You may pass through outdoor or semi-exposed segments. A light jacket and hands-free bag setup make detours a non-issue.
  • Checked-bag cutoffs: With outbound baggage work, some airlines tighten cutoff times. Don't arrive within 45 minutes of departure with a checked bag.
  • Mobility and strollers: Elevators can be busier or relocated. If you need wheelchair assistance, request it in-app with your airline 24 hours ahead.
  • Meeting international arrivals: Wait in the public arrivals hall, not curbside. You'll get a more accurate handoff, especially when flights bank.
  • Rideshare surge bypass: If the main curb surges, price-check CapMetro Route 20 to downtown, then grab a short rideshare—often cheaper and faster.
  • Weather buffer: On wet or cold days (like today's 49°F and cloudy), detours move slower. Add 10 minutes for curb-to-gate.

Money talk: Rising ticket prices from expansion fees

  • Expect higher fares as carriers pass through airport costs. What to do:
    • Set fare alerts and book 21–28 days out for domestic trips.
    • Fly midweek; avoid Sunday returns.
    • Check SAT (San Antonio) for selective savings; it's ~75–90 minutes by car, with competitive fares on some routes.
    • Use cards with airline/travel credits to offset checked bags and lounge day passes when you need extra buffer time.
    • Southwest's Wanna Get Away/Wanna Get Away Plus and JetBlue Blue Basic can undercut legacy fares if you travel light.

Transit alternatives that work

  • CapMetro to/from AUS: Route 20 serves the terminal with frequent service to downtown and the UT area. Count ~25–40 minutes to downtown depending on traffic.
    • External link: https://www.capmetro.org/airport
  • Rental car returns: Watch for Presidential Blvd detours and "Return" signs earlier than you remember; don't miss the split or you'll loop the whole campus.

What's new and what's next

  • Completed in 2025: International Arrivals enhancements for faster processing.
  • 2025–2028: West Garage construction; reduced on-site parking capacity until phased openings.
  • 2025–2027: West Infill and West Gate Expansion continue; expect interior hoardings, seating shifts, and some narrowed corridors.
  • ~2029: New 370,500 sq ft Arrivals & Departures Hall opens ($865M).
  • Early 2030s: New 20–30 gate concourse via underground tunnel; total gates increase to 60+; capacity grows toward 31M+ annual passengers.

Airlines and operations snapshot

  • Agreements in place: Southwest, Delta, United, JetBlue, Spirit, American, Alaska.
  • Practical takeaway: More flights and bigger planes are coming, but gate pressure remains tight until new capacity opens—so plan for fuller flights and limited same-day standby flexibility.

Construction navigation—step by step

  • Driving in:
    • Follow construction wayfinding for your airline's check-in zone; counters can move temporarily.
    • If you miss your turn for parking, don't force it—loop once. Enforcement is aggressive at merges.
  • Inside the terminal:
    • Look for temporary yellow construction signs—they reflect the latest routing better than older fixed signage.
    • If a security line spills into the corridor, ask an agent about alternate checkpoints; split flows can be hidden by hoardings.
  • Baggage claim:
    • Carousel assignments may shift. Check monitors first; don't rely on memory.
    • For oversized items (strollers, sports gear), ask an agent; temporary claim points can move during the Outbound Baggage project.

The payoff By the early 2030s, AUS will feel like a different airport: an expanded departures hall, modern baggage systems, an underground tunnel to a new concourse, and 60+ gates. The 2025 upgrades to international arrivals are the first visible improvements travelers can feel today.

Useful external links

  • Official AUS information and construction updates: https://www.austintexas.gov/airport
  • CapMetro airport transit: https://www.capmetro.org/airport
  • TSA travel tools and MyTSA app: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/mytsa-app

More from us (internal links)

  • AUS parking and drop-off during construction: /guides/aus-parking
  • AUS security lines and checkpoint strategy: /guides/aus-security
  • Live AUS construction impacts and detour map: /news/aus-construction-updates
  • Fare alerts from Austin + SAT compare: /deals/aus-fare-monitor

Editor's note Data and timelines are current as of December 1, 2025, and subject to change as phasing evolves. Always verify the latest advisories before you head out.