We once flew out of a terminal at Austin’s airport that didn’t feel like it belonged to the same airport.
And now, it’s gone.
Austin-Bergstrom’s South Terminal is officially closing on March 31, 2026, with operations moving back to the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. The closure is part of a broader expansion plan to add taxiways and increase long-term capacity.
Flying from Austin’s South Terminal was one of the more unusual airport experiences we’ve had.
Our Flight From Austin’s “Other” Terminal
Back in 2019, we flew Frontier out of Austin’s South Terminal—and the experience stuck with me.
Not because it was bad, but because it was so different from our previous flights from AUS.
The South Terminal wasn’t connected to the main airport at all. It sat on the other side of the airfield, using a separate entrance, separate security, and even a separate parking lot.
It opened quickly as a way to add capacity during Austin’s growth spurt, and it leaned fully into that purpose. Because of its bare-bones setup, the South Terminal was almost custom-built for ultra-low-cost carriers.
Built For Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers
If your trip was straightforward—fly out, come back—it actually worked. Frontier and Allegiant operate point-to-point routes. You weren’t connecting through Austin from the South Terminal. You were starting or ending your trip there.
There were only a handful of gates, and there were no jetways. You walked outside to board the plane, and in that sense, it felt more like a small regional airport than a major-city hub. And in some ways, that can be appealing.
We’ve flown from some incredibly small airports before—including one that barely felt like an airport at all—and those experiences can be great. Short lines, quick walks, minimal hassle.
The South Terminal had that same vibe.
But Austin Isn’t A Small Airport
Here’s where things started to break down. Small regional airports work because everything is self-contained. The South Terminal wasn’t.
It was part of a much larger airport, but had no easy access. If you needed anything beyond a basic out-and-back flight, the cracks started to show.
One of the biggest problems was rental cars. To get to the rental car facility, you had to take a shuttle to the main terminal. It wasn’t seamless, and it definitely wasn’t quick. It felt like you were transferring between two completely separate airports.
And in a way, you were.
Services were limited, and you didn’t have the same experience you’d expect at a major airport.
In that respect, it’s a lot like flying from the Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia. It’s part of the airport, but in most respects it’s a standalone facility with little to do with the rest of the airport.
A Quick Fix That Served Its Purpose
Looking back, the South Terminal feels like exactly what it was intended to be: a quick way to add capacity for ultra-low-cost carriers flying simple point-to-point routes.
But Austin has outgrown that kind of workaround. With continued growth and expansion plans underway, consolidating operations into a single, more connected terminal is the logical next step.
Final Thought
In a way, I’m glad we got to experience the South Terminal. It was quirky and different. And for the right kind of trip, it actually worked.
But for many travelers, it was more trouble than it was worth. It also showed the logistical problems of bolting a second terminal onto an existing airport.
For Frontier and Allegiant travelers, this change will probably make flying out of Austin simpler, even if it means the end of one of the more unique terminals we’ve come across.
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