killing time

Austin's airport is the 4th best in the U.S. for a layover, report finds

Holiday traveling can be messy.

Courtesy of ABIA/Facebook

If there was one word to describe traveling for the holidays, “hectic” is a suitable definition. Layovers are an unfortunate aspect behind stressful traveling, and it can be even more exhausting to have a layover at an airport with few accommodations.

However, a new report says travelers with connecting flights at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are killing time at one of the best airports in the country for layovers.

The data study by travel experts Upgraded Points ranked AUS the No. 4 airport out of a total 50 of the busiest airports in the U.S., earning a total score of 67.8 out of a possible 100 points.

The factors that earned AUS its top five rank include the percentage of on-time departures and arrivals (76 percent and 75 percent, respectively), the average departure and arrival delays (69 and 61 minutes), the percentage of canceled flights (less than two percent), and more.

The average TSA wait time – which the study says is less than 10 minutes – seems optimistic in theory rather than in practice during the busy holiday season. At the time of this article's publishing, using the same source listed in the report, the average wait time at AUS is 16 minutes. Users can contribute by reporting their wait time when arriving at TSA. It seems that things were moving particularly fast when Upgraded Points compiled its data.

"AUS boasts 51 off-site restaurants nearby per 10,000 passengers and an average TSA wait time of just six minutes — ensuring you can leave, dine, and re-enter on time," the report said.

Even inside the airport, AUS maintains a culinary advantage. It is well-known for its commitment to local food; Travelers can get barbecue, tacos, fried chicken, and more Texas staples from local businesses without straying far from their gates.

Austin-Bergstrom's two onsite hotels – the Hilton Austin Airport and Hyatt Place Austin Airport – and other nearby lodging options helped AUS earn its No. 4 rank in a separate category for the best U.S. airports for long layovers. AUS' score was less than two points off from the No. 1-ranking San Diego International Airport.

The overall best U.S. airports for layovers are:

No. 1 – San Diego International Airport
No. 2 – Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
No. 3 – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
No. 4 – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
No. 5 – John Wayne Airport
No. 6 – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
No. 7 – Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
No. 8 – Nashville International Airport
No. 9 – Pittsburgh International Airport
No. 10 – Chicago Midway International Airport

Outside the top 10, Dallas Love Field Airport ranked No. 13 overall, with the second-shortest departure wait times out of all 50 airports (49.9 minutes), and Houston's William P. Hobby Airport earned No. 5 in the category of best airports for short layovers. HOU also earned nods for having the fourth-shortest departure wait times: 50.7 minutes.

The study analyzed the 50 busiest U.S. airports using data from each airport's website and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to determine the rankings. Factors that were included in the study include the number of restaurants per mile, on-site hotels, the percentage of on-time arrivals and departures, the average delay times, TSA wait times, and more.

The full report can be found on upgradedpoints.com.

austin airport reports

Turkey Day News

Austin plates up top-30 rank on list of best cities for Thanksgiving

Photo courtesy of RedFarm

Enjoy a whole Peking Turkey at RedFarm in Austin for Thanksgiving.

Austin is sitting at the head of the table as one of the best places in the country to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, a new study has revealed.

Austin ranked No. 30 out of 100 of the largest U.S. cities in WalletHub's annual "Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving" report, published November 12.

The study analyzed each city based on 18 metrics to determine the best places for Thanksgiving, such as the number of pumpkin patches per capita, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner, the number of volunteer opportunities, the average weather forecast, and more. The metrics were then organized into five overall categories to determine the rankings.

The category that Austin ranked the highest in was the average weather forecast during the holiday period (No. 4), while the lowest-ranked category was for safety and accessibility (No. 69). Other categories that determined Austin's overall ranking were the number of celebrations and traditions (No. 39), the city's relative affordability (No. 39), and a "giving thanks" rank (No. 59).

Austin restaurants are getting prepared for their big Turkey Day meals, and CultureMap has rounded up a thorough list of all of the local restaurants hosting holiday feasts, from to-go meals, dine-in experiences, and desserts abound.

"The best cities for celebrating Thanksgiving all have an abundance of high-quality restaurants and places to buy festive decorations, and their residents get very excited for the holiday based on their Google search history," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

By Thanksgiving on November 28, Austin will be fully decked out for the December holidays. Austinites who will have extended family in town during Thanksgiving weekend can take in of all the marvelous Christmas lights brightening the city. The Texas Capital certainly goes all out for the most wonderful time of year.

Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas (No. 5) and San Antonio (No. 7) were the among the top 10 best cities to celebrate Thanksgiving, while Houston ranked No. 15.

San Diego, California (No. 1) topped the overall list of best places to go for Thanksgiving this year, followed by its Golden State neighbors San Francisco (No. 3) and San Jose (No. 4). Atlanta, Georgia (No. 2) rounds out the top five.

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