ABQ Sunport
#46



Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Rio Rancho, NM - USA
Programs: DL, UA, WN, Amtrak, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 1,795
I always get to ABQ 1 1/2 hours early as security lines are unpredictable. You need to budget time for driving from Santa Fe, getting gas, returning the car, and getting a shuttle to the terminal. Use the app Gas Buddy to find a station near the airport. The only one I can think of offhand is on the north side of Gibson, west of Yale. I don't know of any gas stations on Sunport, which is the normal exit to get to the airport off I-25 southbound.
#47




Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,377
Things are pretty quiet all around on a Sunday morning. I would allow sufficient time for the drive down from Santa Fe in case there's an unexpected delay on the road like construction or an accident. Other than that, transit from the car rental depot and security are generally pretty fast. As mentioned above, there's no obvious gas at the main airport exit-- but there are plenty of stations within a mile or two. Map it out ahead of time so you don't have to spend 15 minutes driving around looking.
#48
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,968
I always get to ABQ 1 1/2 hours early as security lines are unpredictable. You need to budget time for driving from Santa Fe, getting gas, returning the car, and getting a shuttle to the terminal. Use the app Gas Buddy to find a station near the airport. The only one I can think of offhand is on the north side of Gibson, west of Yale. I don't know of any gas stations on Sunport, which is the normal exit to get to the airport off I-25 southbound.
Things are pretty quiet all around on a Sunday morning. I would allow sufficient time for the drive down from Santa Fe in case there's an unexpected delay on the road like construction or an accident. Other than that, transit from the car rental depot and security are generally pretty fast. As mentioned above, there's no obvious gas at the main airport exit-- but there are plenty of stations within a mile or two. Map it out ahead of time so you don't have to spend 15 minutes driving around looking.
There was a restaurant just after security where we ate...I can't remember the name, but it was quite large. I got chicken & waffles, and it was ok.
#50


Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Land of Enchantment!
Programs: Southwest RR, Alaska Mileage Plan™
Posts: 347
Frontier adds new flights to Sunport | KRQE News 13
Short article says they are just returning to ABQ since leaving in 2004.
Will WN match prices?
Frontier Airlines announced they are bringing new flights to the Albuquerque International Sunport beginning April 9.
Nonstop flights will be available to Austin and Orlando for as little as $39.
Nonstop flights will be available to Austin and Orlando for as little as $39.
Will WN match prices?
#52




Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska MVPG
Posts: 209
I really like Sunport, such a nice change of pace from SEA. Normally 3-4 people at TSA vs hundreds. The only thing I wish Sunport had is a lounge, but that runway viewing area is pretty nice to pass the time.
#53




Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Programs: NZ Elite
Posts: 6,518
One of my favorite US airports.... and yes, that upstairs area is very nice! Other benefits (IMO)
1. Car rental return just seems easier than many other places. Roads to and from are straightforward and reasonably well signed.
2. I travel with guns for competitions and ABQ is a "low stress" airport for checking them in.
3. I like the model aircraft display!
4. Food choices are better than many other places.
5. I liked being able to wander over to that corner area on the lower level and watch the Cessna Caravans (not sure if they still operate)
1. Car rental return just seems easier than many other places. Roads to and from are straightforward and reasonably well signed.
2. I travel with guns for competitions and ABQ is a "low stress" airport for checking them in.
3. I like the model aircraft display!
4. Food choices are better than many other places.
5. I liked being able to wander over to that corner area on the lower level and watch the Cessna Caravans (not sure if they still operate)
#54

Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: LAX, BUR
Posts: 1,559
HI there. I know I am resurrecting an old thread, but seemed better than starting a new one with the same title...
Just looking for opinions from people who live near or fly into ABQ often. I need to fly into ABQ on a Thursday for a meeting at 6pm that will probably last an hour (I'll arrive earlier in the day). AA has a flight that leaves ABQ at 8:37pm the same evening. Assuming I can get to the sunport within 10 - 15 minutes after leaving my meeting (so around 7:15pm via taxi/Lyft/Uber) - am I just cutting things too close trying to avoid staying overnight? Or is it reasonable to try to make that 8:37 pm flight. I don't have Global Entry or anything that would speed things through security.
For perspective I would have no qualms about making that time frame out of BUR.
I welcome any informed thoughts. Thanks!
Just looking for opinions from people who live near or fly into ABQ often. I need to fly into ABQ on a Thursday for a meeting at 6pm that will probably last an hour (I'll arrive earlier in the day). AA has a flight that leaves ABQ at 8:37pm the same evening. Assuming I can get to the sunport within 10 - 15 minutes after leaving my meeting (so around 7:15pm via taxi/Lyft/Uber) - am I just cutting things too close trying to avoid staying overnight? Or is it reasonable to try to make that 8:37 pm flight. I don't have Global Entry or anything that would speed things through security.
For perspective I would have no qualms about making that time frame out of BUR.
I welcome any informed thoughts. Thanks!
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Klagetoh
Posts: 24,171
HI there. I know I am resurrecting an old thread, but seemed better than starting a new one with the same title...
Just looking for opinions from people who live near or fly into ABQ often. I need to fly into ABQ on a Thursday for a meeting at 6pm that will probably last an hour (I'll arrive earlier in the day). AA has a flight that leaves ABQ at 8:37pm the same evening. Assuming I can get to the sunport within 10 - 15 minutes after leaving my meeting (so around 7:15pm via taxi/Lyft/Uber) - am I just cutting things too close trying to avoid staying overnight? Or is it reasonable to try to make that 8:37 pm flight. I don't have Global Entry or anything that would speed things through security.
For perspective I would have no qualms about making that time frame out of BUR.
I welcome any informed thoughts. Thanks!
Just looking for opinions from people who live near or fly into ABQ often. I need to fly into ABQ on a Thursday for a meeting at 6pm that will probably last an hour (I'll arrive earlier in the day). AA has a flight that leaves ABQ at 8:37pm the same evening. Assuming I can get to the sunport within 10 - 15 minutes after leaving my meeting (so around 7:15pm via taxi/Lyft/Uber) - am I just cutting things too close trying to avoid staying overnight? Or is it reasonable to try to make that 8:37 pm flight. I don't have Global Entry or anything that would speed things through security.
For perspective I would have no qualms about making that time frame out of BUR.
I welcome any informed thoughts. Thanks!
#57


Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Land of Enchantment!
Programs: Southwest RR, Alaska Mileage Plan™
Posts: 347
https://www.abqjournal.com/1295441/p...n-sunport.html
Will be curious to find out the final cause.
An hourslong power outage at the Albuquerque International Sunport on Saturday morning impacted dozens of flights and caused headaches for thousands of travelers.
Sunport spokeswoman Stephanie Kitts said the airport went dark around 3:30 a.m. and the Public Service Co. of New Mexico was able to restore power by about 8:30 a.m. In that span, an estimated 30 outgoing and incoming flights and 4,000 passengers were affected. Typically, flights start leaving around 5 a.m., but Kitts said the first flight didnt take off until 9:45 a.m.
Sunport spokeswoman Stephanie Kitts said the airport went dark around 3:30 a.m. and the Public Service Co. of New Mexico was able to restore power by about 8:30 a.m. In that span, an estimated 30 outgoing and incoming flights and 4,000 passengers were affected. Typically, flights start leaving around 5 a.m., but Kitts said the first flight didnt take off until 9:45 a.m.

