What you're seeing over Austin
The airliner over Austin is almost certainly heading to or from Austin-Bergstrom International, about seven miles southeast of downtown on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base. AUS has no hub airline, but Southwest is the biggest carrier, and American, Delta, United, Alaska, Frontier and several low-cost airlines all run sizable schedules to keep up with the region's fast growth.
AUS has two long parallel runways running north-south. On most days the wind comes from the south, so arrivals line up north of the airport and descend over east Austin, Del Valle and the neighborhoods along the Colorado River, while departures climb south toward Bastrop and Lockhart. When a cold front brings north winds, the flow flips and the arrivals come up from the south instead. Downtown, west of the arrival path, sees jets passing a few miles to the east at low to moderate altitudes. West of the city, the Hill Country is busy with business jets and small planes heading to private ranches and resorts. Use the live map to check today's direction, and our guide on judging distance to work out how close that jet really is.
Airports near Austin
- commercialAUSAustin-Bergstrom International Airport
KAUS · 7 miles southeast of downtown
Built on the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, with two parallel north-south runways and Southwest as the largest carrier. Live traffic at AUS ↗ - relieverKEDCAustin Executive Airport
KEDC · 14 miles northeast of downtown
A business-aviation airport in Pflugerville, northeast of the city. Live traffic at KEDC ↗ - general aviationKGTUGeorgetown Executive Airport
KGTU · 29 miles north of downtown
A busy general aviation and flight-training airport north of Round Rock. Live traffic at KGTU ↗ - general aviationKHYISan Marcos Regional Airport
KHYI · 27 miles south of downtown
A former Army airfield between Austin and San Antonio, used for training and business aviation. Live traffic at KHYI ↗
Common traffic over Austin
Southwest is the largest airline at AUS, flying 737 MAX 8s and 737-800s on a long list of domestic routes. American runs a big schedule with A321s, 737s and regional jets, and Delta, United, Alaska, Frontier, Allegiant and others add more. A handful of international routes link Austin with Europe and Mexico, so you may spot a widebody such as a 787 among the narrowbodies.
The flow, in plain English:
- South flow, the most common configuration thanks to warm southerly winds off the Gulf: arrivals descend from the north over east Austin and the Colorado River, and departures climb out to the south over rural Travis and Bastrop counties.
- North flow, typically after a cold front: arrivals come in from the south over Creedmoor and Mustang Ridge, and departures climb north over east Austin and Manor.
Because AUS has few overnight cargo banks, the late-night sky is relatively quiet, though FedEx, UPS and Amazon freighters do serve the airport. Big events push traffic sharply higher: during South by Southwest in March, the Formula 1 race at Circuit of the Americas, a few miles southeast of the airport, and Longhorn home football weekends, expect a surge of business jets at AUS and Austin Executive, and temporary flight restrictions around the stadium and racetrack.
Helicopters include Travis County's STAR Flight, which flies medevac, rescue and firefighting missions, Austin Police, and news crews. Army aviation from Fort Cavazos, about an hour north, occasionally passes through, and overflights between Dallas, Houston and San Antonio cross the region at cruise altitude.
Aircraft you'll often see here
Boeing 737 MAX 8
narrowbody airliner
Boeing 737-800
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A321
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A320
narrowbody airliner
Embraer E175
regional jet
Bombardier CRJ900
regional jet
Cessna Citation Excel / XLS
midsize business jet
Embraer Phenom 300
light business jet
Plane-spotting tips for Austin
Public roads near the north end of AUS, south of East Ben White Boulevard, are popular with spotters when the airport is in south flow, since arrivals pass low on final; the airport's south side works better in north flow, and the cell phone lot is a handy place to wait with a radio app. Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park in east Austin sits under or near the south-flow approach at moderate altitude and is a pleasant place to watch arrivals over the trees. From downtown rooftops and the hike-and-bike trail on Lady Bird Lake, look east and southeast to see jets lining up. Summer heat haze and afternoon storms can reduce visibility, while clear, dry days after winter cold fronts are often perfect for photos.
Austin sky questions
Which way is Austin's airport landing today?
AUS lands toward the south most days because the prevailing winds come from the south. After a cold front with north winds, it switches to north flow and arrivals come in from the south instead.
Why are planes flying low over east Austin?
In south flow, AUS arrivals line up north of the airport and descend over east Austin and the Colorado River on their final approach.
Why are there so many private jets during big events?
Events such as South by Southwest, the Formula 1 race at Circuit of the Americas and major football games bring large numbers of business jets to AUS and Austin Executive, and temporary flight restrictions may be set up around the venues.
Nearby cities
Planes over San Antonio (74 mi) · Planes over Houston (146 mi) · Planes over Dallas–Fort Worth (179 mi) · Planes over Oklahoma City (360 mi)