Key Highlights
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The main airport for the region is the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO).
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The airport is close to South Padre Island, so getting there is simple and quick.
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Big airlines like American Airlines and United Airlines fly from this international airport.
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You can fly direct from Brownsville, Texas, to big cities like Dallas and Houston.
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BRO is the main airport, but you can also use Valley International Airport if you want another choice.
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There is a new terminal at the airport. It is built to welcome more people coming to see south padre island and have a good time.
Introduction
Are you getting ready for a trip to the southern tip of Texas? Flying into Brownsville can take you straight to the heart of local life and close to the sunny beaches at South Padre. Picking the right airport is important. It can help your travel start off right and give you a good feeling about your vacation.
This guide will help you understand all the basics you need. You will find information about the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport and other travel spots nearby. You can learn about airlines, the services you can get, and how to get around. This will help you have a smooth and worry-free trip to south padre, and see what the area of texas has to offer.
Overview of Brownsville Airports
When you fly to Brownsville, TX, you will most likely land at Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO). This is the main airport in the city of Brownsville. The city owns it and runs it for the people who live here and for the many visitors coming to south Texas.
But there are also other options if you are coming to the Rio Grande Valley. While the south padre island international airport in Brownsville is the easiest and closest stop, it’s not the only one to look at when you book your trip. Valley International Airport (HRL) is in Harlingen, and it’s a short drive from Brownsville. This means you can choose from different airports when you travel to visit south padre or the surrounding area. This gives you more ways to get into Texas and see all that this part of the state has to offer.
Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO)
The main airport for this area is called Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport. When you are booking a flight or checking your bags, you will see the airport’s code is BRO. It is about five miles from downtown Brownsville, so it is a good choice for business and leisure travelers.
Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport has a long history and has grown a lot with time. Now, it has two asphalt runways. These runways can work with many types of planes. The main runway, runway 13/31, is 7,399 feet long and takes jets used by big airlines.
One thing people like about south padre island international airport is the terminal. This modern building opened in 2021 because more people were coming to the airport. The new terminal is 91,000 square feet. This makes it easy and comfortable when people use BRO to fly.
Other Nearby Airports and Private Aviation Options
While BRO is the closest airport to Brownsville, it can be a good idea to check flights and schedules at other airports near the area. Sometimes, you can save money or get better flight times by flying to a different regional airport and making a short drive after you land.
Depending on what you need, you can look at other major airports that are in the region:
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Valley International Airport (HRL): You can find this international airport in Harlingen, and it is about 29 miles from Brownsville.
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McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE): This one is in McAllen, and it is about 61 miles away from Brownsville.
If you are looking for options for general or private flights, there are a few more ways to get in and out of this place. Some local and private airports are in the area, like Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport. These smaller airports can help if pilots or jet owners want to get straight to the region without having to use the big commercial terminals.
Airlines, Destinations, and Flight Options
It is easy to get to the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport. Several big airlines offer reliable service here. These airlines help travelers from south Texas reach important cities in the United States. There are also flights to Mexico, so the airport is truly an international gateway.
If you want a direct flight, or one with a fast layover, you have choices. You can fly nonstop from south padre island international airport to texas cities like Dallas and Houston. From there, you can travel to just about anywhere in the world. Let’s see which airlines and routes at BRO are out there for you.
Major Airlines Serving Brownsville
You’ll find that the Brownsville South Padre Island International airport is served by two of the largest carriers in the country: American Airlines and United Airlines. These airlines operate their regional services, American Eagle and United Express, to connect passengers to their vast networks.
In addition to these major players, the Mexican airline Aerus provides daily international service. This route is perfect for travelers heading to and from Monterrey, offering a convenient link between South Texas and Mexico. Service from BRO is primarily handled by regional jets like the Embraer E-Jet family and the Bombardier CRJ-700.
Here is a quick look at the airlines serving BRO and their primary destinations:
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Airline |
Destination(s) |
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American Eagle |
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) |
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United Express |
Houston–Intercontinental (IAH) |
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Aerus |
Monterrey (MTY) |
Direct and Connecting Flights to and from Brownsville
From Brownsville (BRO), you can get on a direct flight that will make your trip fast and easy. These flights go straight to some of the biggest and busiest airports in the world, so your travel day is smooth.
These nonstop flights from Brownsville save you time and help you make your trip plans with less stress. When you arrive in Dallas or Houston, it’s simple to get on another plane to go almost anywhere in the United States or other countries. Using these airport hubs makes it easy to plan your time and get where you want to go.
Right now, you can fly nonstop from Brownsville to these big cities:
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Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
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Houston (IAH)
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Monterrey (MTY)
Passenger Facilities and Services at BRO
The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) wants to give you a good travel experience. The terminal is new and has many services for travelers. These services help you have a smooth trip from check-in all the way to boarding your plane.
If you want something to eat, need to buy last-minute things, or need help with your bags, the airport will take care of it. The next sections will tell you more about what you can use in the south padre island international airport terminal. You will also find out about the ways to get to and from the airport.
Terminal Amenities and Traveler Services
Your time inside the BRO terminal will be simple and relaxed. The new terminal opened in 2021. It is big and easy to walk through, so you can find your gate and any service without trouble. Boarding and getting off your plane is smoother too, thanks to the airport’s new jet bridges.
While you wait for your flight at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, there are plenty of things for you to do. The terminal offers what most travelers look for, like places to eat or shop. You can grab a snack, get a drink, or pick out something to read before your flight.
The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport also stands out with special features that show why the local area matters. Here are some things you will find:
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Comfortable places to sit while you wait and very clean restrooms.
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A display that has a SpaceX Starship SN8 flap, which is special to this area because of the aerospace industry.
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Clear signs showing where to find check-in, security, and the area to get your bags.
With these things, the south padre island international airport makes your trip easy and gives you a quick look at what makes south padre and brownsville special.
Ground Transportation and Car Rentals
When your flight gets to the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, you will see many ways to get from the airport to your hotel or any other spot. Many people like to rent a car. This gives you the freedom to go around South Padre Island and nearby places whenever you want.
The rental car desks are inside the terminal. After you pick up your bag, you can get your car keys right away, walk out to the parking lot, and start your trip. If you do not want to drive, you can get a shuttle or use Uber and Lyft, as both work from this airport.
To help with your travel plans, the BRO airport’s official website and screens in the terminal show up-to-date info about flights in and out of the south padre island international airport. For getting around, you have:
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On-site car rentals from big national companies at the Brownsville South Padre Island International terminal.
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Shuttles you can book ahead of time. They go to many South Padre hotels and popular spots.
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Rideshare choices like Uber and Lyft are also at the international airport.
Getting to and from Brownsville and South Padre Island
Your trip does not stop when you land. The good thing is, getting from Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) to the city of Brownsville, TX, or the sandy places at South Padre Island is easy. There are many ways to travel from the airport that fit all budgets and needs.
If you want to drive your own car or go by shuttle, both of these and more are open to you. In the next few parts, you will learn about shuttle services, public transit, driving, parking, and rideshares. These tips will help you finish the last part of your visit in the best way.
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Shuttle Services and Public Transit Options
If you do not want to rent a car, you can use shuttle services. These are some of the most common ways to travel from BRO to South Padre Island or to go to other places nearby. Many private companies give pre-booked rides. They can take you right to your hotel or the place you are staying. This keeps your trip easy and smooth.
Another way to get around Brownsville is to take public transit. The city bus system can save money and help you get to many spots in town. But, you might need more time and planning if you choose this instead of a direct shuttle or taxi.
When you plan how to leave the airport and go to South Padre Island, you can pick from these main options:
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Airport Shuttles: These are companies that only do airport transfers. It’s smart to book these before your trip.
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Hotel Shuttles: Some hotels on South Padre Island send their own shuttle for their guests.
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Public Bus: This is easy on the wallet but can take more time to get around locally.
Driving, Parking, and Rideshare Information
Driving is a great way to get around if you want to have the most options. Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) is the closest airport to Brownsville. It is only a few miles away from the city center. The drive to South Padre Island is easy. You go over the Queen Isabella Causeway and end up on the island.
If you plan to drive your own car to BRO before catching a flight, you will find a lot of parking. The airport finished a new long-term parking lot in 2024. Now there is plenty of safe parking to leave your car when you travel. There are prices for both short-term and long-term parking stays.
You can also use rideshare services to get to and from the airport. You just need to open an app on your phone to ask for a ride.
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Driving: Rental cars are at the international airport for travel to Brownsville and South Padre Island.
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Parking: The south padre island international airport has both short-term and long-term parking spaces.
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Rideshare: You can use Uber and Lyft to get picked up or dropped off at Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO).
Conclusion
To sum up, using the Brownsville Airports travel guide helps you get all the information you need for a smooth trip. You will find the main points about the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport. You will also learn about the airlines and flight choices you can look at. This guide is like a map for good travel planning. If you want to visit south padre or need to know about other airports close to south padre island, this guide gives you what you need. Knowing more before you travel can help a lot. Good planning makes your trip better, so make sure to use the resources we shared. If you have any questions or want us to help you plan, you can always ask for a free talk with us. Have a great journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brownsville have multiple airports?
The City of Brownsville has one main airport. This is the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO). It is the closest airport to Brownsville. Travelers can also fly into Valley International Airport (HRL) in Harlingen. This gives you another way to get to the region.
How can I travel from BRO to South Padre Island?
Traveling from BRO to South Padre Island is easy. There are a few good options for getting around. You can rent a car if you want to have the most freedom. Another way is to book a place on one of the private shuttle services. Or, you can use a rideshare app. All these services are ready for you right at the Brownsville airport terminal.
Which airlines operate regular flights from Brownsville?
Regular flights leave Brownsville (BRO) each day. American Airlines and United Airlines both fly from here. American Airlines will get you to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and United Airlines can take you to Houston (IAH). Aerus also flies from Brownsville. They fly to Monterrey, Mexico. This helps people go from Brownsville to more places.