Austin airport expects record crowds due to Formula One race; what you need to know

Airport officials expect record passenger numbers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as the result of the upcoming Formula One race at the Circuit of the Americas racetack.

The airport's single-day passenger record was set earlier this month, on the Monday after the first weekend of the Austin City Limits music festival, with 35,357 passengers departing that day. That total topped the previous record of 35,298, which was set last October on the Monday after the 2021 Formula One race in Austin.

Airport spokesperson Sam Haynes said airport officials expect that this coming Monday, as people leave following the Formula One race, will surpass both those numbers.

“We're just experiencing higher travel volumes in general this year,” Haynes said. “F1 sold out this year, which it did last year as well, but this year the Circuit of the Americas got really creative in finding new ways to bring in more people to the event. ... So it's a record-breaking event, with even more tickets sold.”

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Haynes said the F1 race and associated events also lead to an increase in private jet travel to the airport.

The exact number of passengers will be estimated about a day in advance by the Transportation Security Administration. Haynes said travelers should keep an eye on the airport’s social media pages in case new recommendations are issued for how early travelers should plan to arrive at the terminal.

The standard recommendation when flying out of Austin's airport is to arrive 2½ hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Passengers with small children or who are checking bags are advised to give themselves even more time.

Airport staff extended their recommendation in May in anticipation of a record busy summer and because of ongoing TSA staffing shortages.

The American-Statesman reported in April that 35 new temporary TSA officers were assigned to Austin to help address long security lines. This was on top of the 15 extra officers already in the city, bringing the total up to 50 officers on temporary assignment at the airport, in addition to local TSA staff. Patricia Mancha, TSA spokesperson, said a request has been made to extend the nationally assigned officers' stay in Austin, but whether that’s possible depends on the federal fiscal budget process.

Passengers can also find F1 specific advice on the airport’s website.

One such tip, Haynes said, is for people to pack bulkier souvenirs in carry-on luggage if possible to avoid triggering additional security screening for a checked bag. Examples include poster tubes and cowboy hats, she said.

“Checked luggage, after you drop it off at the ticket counter, undergoes its own security screening process, and sometimes the bulkier swag and promotional items and souvenirs can trigger that security process and it will cause delays for your bag and the bags behind your bag,” she said. “We recommend that you bring that in your carry-on item because TSA will be able to quickly screen the item and determine that it is safe and can move through with you to your flight.”

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Haynes said airport staff members will do their best to handle the increased flow of passengers, but said people should expect a crowd and be patient.

“The big takeaway is that you are traveling at an airport that is experiencing its busiest year ever on record, and you are likely traveling through it during its busiest day ever, during its busiest year ever,” she said. “We've been working with all of our airport partners to make sure that we've got all hands on deck across the entire airport. But unforeseen things can happen. Unplanned delays can occur. We're hoping it doesn't happen. But we all have to kind of expect the unexpected.”

For passengers planning to travel during or after F1, here are other steps to make the airport experience as smooth as possible:

Look for flight updates from airlines

Haynes said it’s important for passengers to keep an eye out for updates from airlines regarding their flights, such as delays or flight cancellations.

“This is a tough time for travel, nationally and internationally. We know our airlines are navigating a nationwide pilot shortage as well as limited crew and aircraft availability,” she said. “We know our airlines are making a lot of changes in real time to the schedule and to flights, so we're asking passengers to keep in contact with the airline and stay connected with them for the latest information about flight changes.”

Follow the rules

Mancha, the TSA spokesperson, said it’s important that people not bring prohibited items in their carry-on luggage. When illicit items are found, it delays screening for everyone, and that is especially true of firearms. Austin-Bergstrom found its 100th gun of the year in carry-on luggage in August, and is on track to find more firearms than the 110 found last year.

“When people bring prohibited items to the checkpoint, they slow down the line,” she said. “Every time a gun is found, the inspection process stops. The police are called; they're the ones that respond to the incident. So every time that happens, it slows down the line behind you.”

Mancha encouraged people to check their luggage before they start packing to make sure there are no surprise items, and to look online to see what is allowed before they finish packing.

Along with slowing the screening process, firearms found at TSA checkpoints can result in fines and penalties. Travelers who need to travel with a firearm will be required to declare their weapon and check it at their airline ticket counter. For more information, visit austintexas.gov/airport.

Drop off where there are fewer cars

Steer away from traffic by dropping off travelers using the upper or lower level – either one works. From the lower level, passengers can quickly get upstairs to ticketing and security using airport escalators or elevators.

Drivers are encouraged to use whichever level has the least congestion

Travelers also can find on-site parking by visiting abiaparking.com to reserve a spot and check for real-time parking information on what's available before their arrival.

Go to the right terminal (there are two)

Travelers flying with Allegiant or Frontier will depart from the South Terminal while all other airlines operate at the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. The South Terminal is located at 10000 Logistics Lane, near U.S. 183 and Burleson Road.

Use self-service flight check-in kiosks

Inside the terminal and across from the airline ticket counters, there are several self-service flight check-in kiosks for travelers to print their boarding passes and bag tags.

Travelers can save time by checking in for their flight using their airlines' mobile app, which will produce a digital boarding pass. Select airlines also offer curbside check-in options for those who aren't as tech savvy.

Get TSA PreCheck

While this option takes a little advanced planning, TSA PreCheck is a great way to move through security more quickly.

TSA security screening checkpoints open at 3:30 a.m. with TSA PreCheck and Clear screening available at Checkpoints 1 and 2 West. A new security checkpoint will be open during peak travel periods near Southwest Airlines ticketing, Checkpoint 2 East.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: F1 race to bring in record crowds to Austin airport; what to know