Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s been growing fast as a hub for international travel. It connects you to a surprising number of destinations around the world.
When you’re flying out of Austin, picking the right airline really does matter. Comfort, reliability, and service can make or break your trip.
The best international airlines at Austin include Delta, American Airlines, and United. These three have a solid range of routes and dependable schedules, so it’s easier to find flights that fit your plans.
Southwest and Alaska Airlines focus more on domestic stuff, but they’re handy for connecting flights if you need them.
It helps to know which airlines actually fly international routes out of Austin. That way, you can plan better and hopefully avoid some of the usual travel headaches.
Key Takeways
- Austin-Bergstrom connects you to a lot of international spots.
- Delta, American, and United are your best bets for international flights at Austin.
- Knowing airline options gives you a leg up on finding flights and saving time.
Overview of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the main airport in Austin, Texas. It’s got modern facilities and handles both domestic and international flights.
You’ll find easy access to terminals, customs, and plenty of amenities. It’s all set up for a pretty smooth travel experience.
International Flight Services
Austin-Bergstrom has been adding more international flights lately. They’ve got one-stop customs facilities, which helps you get in and out faster.
British Airways is one of the big international names here, with direct flights to major cities.
With two parallel runways, the airport can handle big planes for long-haul flights. Scheduling tends to be pretty reliable.
Customs and border protection are set up to keep wait times down. That’s a real plus, whether you’re traveling for work or just for fun.
Arriving at AUS
When you land at Austin-Bergstrom, you’ll end up at either the Barbara Jordan Terminal or the South Terminal. Most international flights use the Barbara Jordan Terminal.
After you get off the plane, just follow the signs to customs and baggage claim. It’s all pretty straightforward.
Outside the terminals, you’ll find taxis, ride-shares, rental cars, and shuttles. Getting into downtown Austin or wherever you’re headed is simple enough.
If you’re a frequent flyer at AUS, you’ll notice parking is close by. That makes arrivals and departures a bit less stressful.
Terminal Facilities
Austin-Bergstrom has two main terminals. The Barbara Jordan Terminal is the bigger one, with a mix of airlines and four lounges to relax in.
The South Terminal is smaller and mostly serves low-cost carriers like Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines. It covers the basics, nothing fancy.
There are a bunch of dining options, shops, and services in both terminals. Moving between gates is usually pretty easy, and there’s a focus on comfort.
Top International Airlines Operating at Austin-Bergstrom
Several airlines at Austin-Bergstrom offer both direct and connecting international flights. The number of flights each week depends on the airline and the route.
Some focus on popular destinations, while others give you more flexibility if you’re connecting somewhere else.
American Airlines
American Airlines gives you a mix of direct and connecting international flights from Austin. You’ll see multiple flights each week to big hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth, which then open up a ton of global destinations.
It’s a solid pick for travel to Europe, Latin America, and Asia, mostly through its main hubs.
Service is frequent enough to give you some choices. If you need an indirect flight, their big network makes transfers smoother.
There are also several nonstop routes to Mexico and the Caribbean—pretty popular from Austin.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines mostly does indirect international flights out of Austin. Not many nonstop international options, but you can connect through hubs like Seattle or Los Angeles.
This gives you some flexibility for trips to Asia, Canada, and Central America. Alaska’s known for good service and solid connections.
There are usually a handful of flights each week to their main hubs. Their partnerships with other airlines also help if you’re looking for more obscure routes.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is limited when it comes to international flights at Austin-Bergstrom. It’s mostly about leisure travel, with some direct flights to places in Mexico.
Flights aren’t daily, so you’ll want to check the schedule closely.
For anything farther away, Allegiant usually means connecting through another airport. It’s budget-friendly, but international service isn’t as frequent as the bigger carriers.
Where Allegiant shines is getting you straight to vacation spots from Austin.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines has a few direct international flights from Austin, mostly to nearby countries like Mexico and the Caribbean.
The schedule can change and the number of weekly flights is hit or miss, but Spirit keeps prices low by sticking to popular short and medium-haul routes.
For longer trips, you’ll probably connect through one of Spirit’s hubs like Fort Lauderdale. Spirit’s a good option if you want cheap fares and don’t mind basic service.
Just double-check flight times, since they can shift with the seasons.
How to Find the Best International Flights from Austin
Finding good international flights from Austin is all about balancing cost, timing, and using the right tools. You want to catch deals, know when prices drop, and figure out the best times to fly.
Cheapest Flight Options
For the lowest fares, look at both direct flights and those with a single stop. Direct flights are faster but not always the cheapest.
Adding a stop can lower prices, but obviously adds some travel time.
Use flight search engines to compare prices across all airlines flying out of Austin-Bergstrom. Destinations like Cancun or London often have decent deals if you keep an eye out.
If you’re flexible on dates or even destinations, you can save quite a bit. Sometimes the smaller airlines have better prices, so don’t just stick to the big names.
Price Alerts and Cheap Tickets
Set up price alerts with Google Flights or Skyscanner. That way, you’ll get notified when fares drop for your route.
It saves you from constantly checking (which, let’s be honest, nobody wants to do).
Watch for sales and flash deals, especially around holidays or airline anniversaries. Signing up for airline newsletters can actually pay off with early access to cheap tickets.
If you get an alert for a good price, don’t wait too long—cheap seats go fast.
Cheapest Month to Fly
The cheapest months for international flights from Austin usually fall between September and November or January and March. These avoid peak travel times like summer and the holidays.
Flying midweek is generally cheaper than weekends. Early morning or late-night flights also tend to cost less.
Check your destination’s busy seasons, since they can vary a lot. Flexibility on timing really does help your wallet.
Flight Types and Travel Tips
Traveling from Austin-Bergstrom, you’ll see a mix of direct and connecting flights. Knowing what’s out there—flight types, travel times, and airline choices—makes planning less of a headache.
You’ll also want to know how domestic connections work, especially if you’re dealing with airlines like Frontier or Southwest.
Direct and Indirect Flights
Direct flights from Austin mean no stops, just straight to your destination. They save time and reduce the risk of delays.
If there’s no direct flight, you’ll have to connect somewhere, usually at a bigger hub.
Indirect flights can open up more route options but will add travel time. Always check layover times—nobody likes a five-hour wait in an airport.
If you want convenience, try for a nonstop flight when you can.
Average Flight Time
Flight times from Austin vary a lot. Trips to places like Mexico City or Toronto are usually around 3 to 4 hours.
Flights to Europe or Asia can easily hit 10 hours or more.
Knowing how long you’ll be in the air helps you plan for meals, rest, or connections. Delays can happen, so give yourself a little buffer, especially if you’re on a tight schedule.
Domestic Connections
Austin is a big hub for connecting flights in the U.S. If you’re coming from a smaller city, you might fly to Austin first before heading out internationally.
The airport’s single terminal design makes transfers easier, which is nice if you’re in a hurry.
Give yourself at least 1.5 to 2 hours for domestic to international connections. That’s usually enough for security and any unexpected delays.
Most airlines plan these connections pretty well, but it never hurts to double-check.
Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines
Frontier and Southwest mostly stick to domestic flights out of Austin. Southwest’s got a reputation for frequent departures and reaching a ton of U.S. cities.
A lot of folks like Southwest for connecting to international flights, but honestly, it’s all about getting you around the States. Frontier, on the other hand, is all about budget travel within the U.S. and a handful of nearby countries.
Neither airline really dives into international routes from Austin right now. So if you’re aiming to head overseas, you’ll probably end up switching to another carrier—either in Austin or wherever you lay over.