Austin airport's overhaul to include new, revamped lounges

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travelers will soon have new ways to kick back and relax at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The Austin Airport Advisory Commission will discuss Wednesday new lounge options planned as part of the Journey With AUS airport revamp. Those lounge areas will be incorporated into the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal and Concourse B as part of the airport expansion.

In the Barbara Jordan Terminal, Austin airport officials have a lease agreement planned with American Airlines for the West Gate American Admirals Club, projected to open in 2027. That lounge will feature more than 11,500 square feet of interior and outdoor terrace space, per commission documents.

A lounge area in the tunnel interface between the Barbara Jordan Terminal and Concourse B is in development, with the project expected to be open to the public in 2030 or 2031. That area will include an estimated 30,000 square feet of interior and outdoor terrace space, per documents.

Also in the works in Concourse B is a new lounge, which will be leased by a yet-to-be-determined airline. That project is also expected to open in the 2030 to 2031 timeframe, housing roughly 28,000 square feet of interior space.

Within the Barbara Jordan Terminal is a planned west infill premium lounge, which officials expect will be leased by a financial institution. That project is set to open in 2026 or 2027 and includes 20,000 square feet of interior space.

Redeveloped lounge spaces are also included as part of this overhaul.

A fifth lounge is expected to be revitalized in the Barbara Jordan Terminal, with an expected opening date sometime after 2030. Officials said some customer needs could be identified for this specific lounge, based on customer demands or airport needs required from the airport.

"The Lounge will be potentially leased as Common Use Lounges pending coordination with current airlines occupying the space," officials noted, flagging American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines in project documents.

Chase Bank's existing Sapphire Terrace lounge is expected to close in March 2025, per city documents. Officials noted that pilot program signified "a high demand for premium lounge space at AUS."

Officials added that the eastern terrace will re-open to the public, while airport leaders are evaluating new ways to promote the visibility of amenities provided by this location.

The conceptual documents are available online.