Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is raising the bar for airport vibes, mixing up a cocktail of local cuisine, retail, and music that gives travelers a big ol' Texas welcome. The airport's "Beats, Bites, and Flights" program is channeling Austin's soul into its terminal, offering a taste of the city's favorites like ThunderCloud Subs, 24 Diner, and some foot-tapping live music, according to an official blog post.
For those loving a good drop of whiskey, they were in for a treat with The Garrison Brothers touching down in January for a bash at the Saxon Pub. The Austin Mac & Grilled Cheese Fest was another big hit, sponsored by concession partners HMSHost, Paradies Lagardère, and Delaware North. It's no surprise USA Today ranked AUS #3 on its "Best Airport for Dining (2023)" list with this kind of shenanigans - and The Peached Tortilla snagged a nod from Yelp as one of the best for airport grub post-holidays.
With eight stages playing local tunes six days a week, and partnerships that brought brands like Deep Eddy Vodka into the mix, AUS isn't just a place to catch flights. It's where queso and smoked brisket rule the roost, thanks to Zocalo and Salt Lick. Looking ahead, AUS plans to turn things up another notch. The airport will celebrate its 25th anniversary in May and keeps serving up "waiting" with a side of Texas charm.
And if it's new destinations you're after, AUS isn't holding back. They've already welcomed Copa Airlines for nonstop flights to Panama City and added routes to Montrose, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; Vancouver, and Calgary. Come this spring, AUS gears up to launch continuous flights to Monterrey, Eugene, and Montreal, making sure the adventurous spirits have plenty of reason to head to the Lone Star State.
