Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about to get its biggest upgrade in years. With Terminal E nearing completion this spring, AUS is preparing to handle record passenger demand while delivering a significantly better travel experience. From three brand‑new gates to expanded seating, new dining options, and a mezzanine with outdoor balcony views, this expansion marks a major milestone in Austin’s growth—and a major quality‑of‑life upgrade for anyone flying in or out of the city.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Terminal E’s timeline and gate assignments can shift with construction. Always confirm the latest details with AUS before your trip.
You can track the full expansion program and construction milestones on the airport’s official Journey With AUS hub.
Here’s your full insider breakdown of what’s opening, when it opens, how it impacts flyers, and why it matters for Austin’s local economy.
AUS TERMINAL EXPANSION: WHAT’S NEW IN 2026
According to the City of Austin’s official airport overview, the latest phase of the Journey With AUS program significantly boosts capacity and amenities across the main terminal.
• Three new gates designed to handle Austin’s rapidly growing flight capacity, part of a broader 2026 expansion that will eventually add more than 30 gates system‑wide as detailed in recent gate expansion coverage.
• Replacement of 12 boarding bridges to improve reliability and reduce delays.
• Modernized hold rooms with expanded seating and power access.
When you’re looking to charge devices or spread out, aim for the newest hold rooms near Terminal E—those areas will have the most power outlets and seating.
• New restaurant and retail concessionaires joining the terminal, many of them local Austin concepts similar to those highlighted in guides like Paprika ATX, North Lamar’s hottest new taqueria.
• A dedicated children’s play area.
• A mezzanine level featuring outdoor balcony access for the first time, echoing the outdoor patio and viewing areas showcased in the airport’s West Gate expansion renderings.
Plan a stop at the mezzanine balcony around sunset—it's one of the best plane-spotting and skyline-view angles you’ll get without leaving the secure side of AUS.
• Enhanced security and baggage systems, building on earlier terminal and FIS expansion work documented by project partners like Page Think.
These changes come just as AUS hits more than 21 million annual passengers, making it one of the fastest-growing mid‑sized airports in the country—a trend highlighted in the airport’s own expansion program briefing.
THE WEST INFILL PROJECT: OPENING FEBRUARY 2026
Terminal E isn’t the only major project. AUS recently cut the ribbon on its new West Infill expansion—over 75,000 square feet added across four levels, as confirmed in the city’s official West Infill completion announcement. One of the biggest visitor-facing upgrades is the opening of the new TSA Checkpoint 4 on February 23, 2026, designed to speed up security wait times during peak morning and evening traffic, a change also covered in local reporting on the 75,000‑square‑foot West Infill milestone.
If you’re flying during peak morning or evening hours, watch for signage directing you to TSA Checkpoint 4—new equipment and layout there are built to move lines faster than the legacy checkpoints.
The West Infill also includes:
• New outbound baggage handling system (live since December 2025)
• Additional ticket counters
• New elevators and updated electrical/IT systems
• A redesigned lobby highlighted by the restored Austin Downtown Cruiser art piece
These projects set the stage for Terminal E’s full opening later this spring and complement the citywide visitor experience that also includes nearby destinations like Zilker Park’s evolving 2026 upgrades.
WHY THIS EXPANSION MATTERS FOR AUSTIN
Austin’s growth hasn’t slowed—companies continue to relocate here, tourism remains strong year‑round, and business travel is rising with the region’s biotech, tech, and creative sectors expanding. Three additional gates may sound modest, but they significantly increase flight scheduling flexibility, open the door for new routes, and relieve existing congestion; the broader gate build‑out is a key piece of the city’s long‑term airport capacity plan.
This expansion also signals Austin’s increasing national profile. As new arrivals and conventions continue to surge, the airport’s ability to handle higher volumes directly affects traveler satisfaction and the city’s economic competitiveness, tying into Austin’s positioning as a meetings and events hub outlined on the Austin meetings & airport overview.
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE: WHAT TRAVELERS SHOULD EXPECT
• Security wait times will shift. With a new checkpoint coming online, early‑morning lines may redistribute across terminals—but expect some learning-curve adjustments the first few weeks, especially during major events such as the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon 2026.
In the first month after Checkpoint 4 opens, assume security may take longer than usual while travelers and TSA adjust. Add at least 20–30 extra minutes to your usual AUS arrival time.
• Dining options will open in phases. Not every concessionaire in Terminal E will be ready on day one, but early arrivals include local Austin brands, similar to the homegrown spots featured in guides to East Austin’s Butterfly Bar.
If you care most about trying new local spots, plan flights later in the year—more Terminal E restaurants and bars will be open as 2026 goes on.
• Peak congestion will remain high during festival seasons. SXSW, ACL Fest, and Formula 1 will still push the airport to capacity. Arrive early, especially if you’re also planning to hit major cultural events like Carnaval Brasileiro 2026.
During major festival weeks, AUS can feel at or beyond capacity. Aim to arrive 2.5–3 hours early for domestic flights and 3+ hours for international departures.
• Parking may tighten before it improves. Some construction‑related closures may continue until late summer.
• The outdoor mezzanine balcony will become one of the airport’s hidden gems—expect great sunset views over the runways and a different perspective on the city than you’ll get at ground‑level favorites like Spa Luxe Austin’s new wellness flagship.
USEFUL LINKS AND SOURCES
External Sources:
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport – Official Site
• Journey With AUS – Airport Expansion Program
• City of Austin: West Infill Expansion Completion News Release
• CBS Austin: West Infill Adds 75,000 Square Feet
• KUT: Austin Airport Gates Expansion Coverage
• Austin Meetings: Airport & Expansion Overview
• WSP: Journey With AUS Engineering Overview
• Page Think: AUS Terminal & FIS Expansion Project
Internal Guides to Explore Austin While You’re Here:
• Inside Zilker Park in 2026: The Insider Guide to Austin’s Most Iconic Urban Oasis
• Inside Paprika ATX: The Insider Guide to Austin’s Former Food Truck Turning North Lamar’s Hottest New Taqueria
• Inside The Butterfly Bar: The Insider Guide to East Austin’s Most Magical Hidden Cultural Hub
• Inside Carnaval Brasileiro 2026: The Insider Guide to Austin’s Biggest Brazilian Party
• Inside the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon 2026: The Insider Guide to the City’s Biggest Running Event
• Inside Spa Luxe Austin: The Insider Guide to the City’s Newest Luxury Flagship Wellness Escape
• Inside Austin’s Moontowers: The Insider Guide to the City’s Last-of-Its-Kind Historic Giants
As Austin continues to grow, Terminal E represents a crucial step in modernizing the city’s travel infrastructure. Whether you're a frequent business flyer, a festival‑season traveler, or just heading out for a weekend trip, expect AUS to feel bigger, smoother, and more capable than ever in 2026, with up‑to‑date details always available through the airport’s official channels.
Related Austin Data
Inside AUS Terminal E: The Insider Guide to Austin Airport’s Game‑Changing 2026 Expansion
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