AUSTIN, Texas – With three days before Christmas, Dec. 22 marks one of the busiest travel days each year.
Thousands more people are expected to fly out of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport this year thanks to eight new nonstop destinations.
The busiest hours of the day are between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The airport is giving travelers some tips to ensure a smooth trip.
- Check your flight status ahead of time HERE
- Arrive 2 hours before your take-off
- Monitor security lines live HERE
- Plan parking options before you get to the airport HERE
"If we go to an overflow situation, it's easy to get to, but you need to know you don't get to it the same way you get to our normal parking areas,” said ABIA employee Jim Halbrook. “The easiest way to get to it from 71 is to take the Cargo/Spirit of Texas exit from the airport. Otherwise there will be signs along airport roadways that you're used to to direct you to it."
The airport's east food court will be closed, but there are new restaurants and shops to check out this year.
Travelers should be warned that TSA agents are allowed to unwrap presents for security reasons.
New nonstop destinations for holiday travelers this year include:
- Ontario, Calif. (ONT): Frontier
- Pittsburgh (PIT): Allegiant
- Raleigh-Durham (RDU): Delta
- Tampa/St. Pete (PIE): Allegiant
- Cleveland (CLE): Allegiant
- Indianapolis (IND): Allegiant
- Kansas City (MCI): Southwest
- Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP): Sun Country