Albuquerque Airport: Your Actual Guide

Albuquerque International Sunport – yeah, they call it a “Sunport” which is very New Mexico – is easier to navigate than you might expect. One terminal, three levels, lots of southwestern charm. Here’s the breakdown.

The Layout

One terminal building. Thank god, honestly. No tram rides between buildings, no long walks to catch connections.

Ground level is baggage claim and ground transportation. Shuttles, taxis, rental cars – all there. Parking garage connects via pedestrian bridge.

Second level is ticketing and check-in. Southwest, American, Delta all have counters. Pretty standard setup. Get here early if you’re flying during busy times.

Third level is where the gates are. Two concourses – A and B. Southwest dominates Concourse A, others spread across B. Each has food and shops.

Food and Shops

Here’s where the local flavor comes in. Tia Juanita’s on Concourse B does legitimately good New Mexican food. Green chile everything. If you’ve never had it, this is your chance.

National chains too – Starbucks, Hudson News, the usual suspects. Most places open early and stay until the last flight.

Getting There

Right off I-25, easy to find. Parking options: economy lots are budget-friendly with shuttle service. Premium and basic lots cost more but put you closer.

Rental cars everywhere – Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, the whole lineup. On-site, which is convenient. Wide selection of vehicles.

Security Tips

Standard TSA procedures. Arrive two hours early for domestic – they suggest this and I’d follow it, especially morning flights. TSA PreCheck is available but not always open, so check if you’re counting on it.

Signs are clear. Follow them to ticketing, then security, then your concourse. Not complicated.

If You Need to Work or Relax

Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. Actually decent, which is not always a given at airports. If you need to knock out some emails or join a call, you can make it happen.

No airline-specific lounges, but shared lounges exist with snacks, TVs, comfortable seating. Might be worth it if you’ve got a long wait.

Practical Tips

• Keep your ID and boarding pass accessible – you’ll need them multiple times
• TSA rules on liquids and sharp objects still apply (obviously)
• Check flight status screens regularly – delays and gate changes happen
• Charging stations are around – use them, because your phone will die otherwise

Getting Help

Info desks near the main entrance with staff who actually know things. Airport website has real-time flight tracking and terminal maps. Twitter/X is surprisingly useful for quick customer service questions.

The Sunport isn’t massive, which works in its favor. Easy to navigate, has character, gets you where you’re going. Plus you might leave with a new appreciation for green chile.