Surge of Memorial Day Weekend Travelers Expected at Albany International Airport

Plan Ahead, Be Prepared, Arrive Early 

 ALBANY, NY (May 23, 2024) – Albany International Airport (ALB) is reminding those planning to take flight during this Memorial Day weekend – one of the year’s busiest travel periods – of the three keys to a successful experience: Plan ahead, be prepared, and be at the airport two hours early. With thousands of visitors expected to pass through ALB, travelers are reminded that the airport will be very busy, and a little preparation goes a long way. 

"The holiday weekend is officially upon us, and we look forward to welcoming the thousands of travelers who will be arriving and departing from ALB,” said Steven Smith, Director of Communications at Albany International Airport. “We want to ensure the travel experience is as smooth and hassle-free as possible. If you’re planning to fly out of ALB our message is clear, always arrive no less than two hours prior to your scheduled departure.” 

Travelers planning to fly into or out of ALB are reminded of the following travel tips:

• Arrive at the airport no less than TWO HOURS prior to a flight’s scheduled departure, allowing ample time to park, check bags - if necessary - go through the security checkpoint and arrive at the departure gate. 

 

• Consider using alternate transportation to and from the airport, avoiding the need to park. 

 

• Check in early either online or by using your airline’s mobile app. This saves time and streamlines your travel experience - especially if you don’t need to check baggage. 

 

• Have all your documentation - such as identification, boarding pass, and any other pertinent items you may need – readily available. 

 

• Before packing, visit www.tsa.gov to find out which items are prohibited from your carry-on or checked luggage. Be sure also to check to ensure you’re not packing prohibited amounts of liquids, gels, creams, pastes, or aerosols.

 

• Traveling with children? Make sure there are no prohibited items in their luggage, too. 

 

• Consider TSA PreCheck to speed up and enhance your experience going through the security check point. Learn more at www.tsa.gov.

 

• Know your gate number. This should be on your boarding pass, but you can always ask airline personnel, airport staff or check out an arrival/departure monitor inside the terminal. 

 

In addition, as construction on ALB’s terminal expansion project continues both inside and outside the terminal. Travelers are reminded of the following:

 

• The north parking garage must be accessed from the main terminal by using the crosswalk on the ground level near baggage claim and car rental. Please follow signage placed throughout the garage and terminal. 

 

• Some sidewalks and vestibules are closed due to construction activities. Signage has been placed nearby to assist passengers. 

 

• Ride share pick-up is in the parking lot adjacent to the baggage claim exit. Follow signage once you exit baggage claim to locate taxis, Uber and Lyft. 

 

• Curbside parking in front of the terminal is NEVER permitted. Those picking up or dropping off passengers are reminded to follow signage and instructions from security personnel.

 

• For pick-ups, wait in the short-term parking lot until your passenger arrives curbside. 

 

• Another option while awaiting passengers for pick-up: The cell phone/observation lot on Albany Shaker Road. Drivers may wait in that lot until their passenger arrives and is curbside.   

For more information about terminal expansion project, including the latest updates, please visit www.albanyairport.com/construction. 

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