Brisbane Airports: A Tale Of Two Travel Hubs

Brisbane Airport (IATA: BNE, ICAO: YBBN) is the main airport serving Brisbane, the capital of the Australian state of Queensland. It is located 12 kilometres east of Brisbane City and 30 minutes from the city centre. Brisbane Airport has two terminals: one for international departures and arrivals, and another for domestic arrivals and departures. These terminals are located 2 kilometres apart, with easy access between them via taxi or a complimentary Terminal Transfer Bus.

Brisbane Airport's two terminals

Brisbane Airport (IATA: BNE, ICAO: YBBN) is an international airport that serves Brisbane, the capital of the Australian state of Queensland. The airport is located 12 kilometres east of Brisbane City and is approximately a 30-minute drive from the city centre.

Brisbane Airport has two terminals: a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal. The two terminals are located 2 kilometres apart and are easily accessible by taxi or a complimentary Terminal Transfer Bus. The Domestic Terminal is a two-storey curved building with three satellite arms, providing additional passenger lounge and gate facilities for airlines. Qantas and QantasLink operate from the northern end of the Domestic Terminal, while Virgin Australia operates from the southern end. Other carriers, such as Jetstar, are located in the central area. The International Terminal, built in 1995, has 14 bays with aerobridges, with four capable of accommodating A380 aircraft. It has four levels, with departures on Level 3 and arrivals on Level 2.

The original Brisbane Airport was Eagle Farm Airport, located 6 kilometres northeast of the current Domestic Terminal. It was built in 1925 on former agricultural land. However, due to inadequate facilities and the need for long-haul international services, a new airport was constructed and opened in 1988. The new Brisbane Airport incorporated some of the infrastructure from Eagle Farm Airport, including the main runway and the international terminal, which became the cargo terminal for the new airport.

The International Terminal at Brisbane Airport offers a range of lounges, including Emirates, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Aspire, and Plaza Premium. Additionally, there are duty-free and retail stores, bars, shops, and cafes located before the security screening area. The Domestic Terminal also has retail and dining options available.

Qantas' two terminals

Brisbane Airport (IATA: BNE) is the main airport serving Brisbane and South East Queensland. It is located approximately a 30-minute drive from the city centre.

Qantas operates from two terminals in Brisbane: the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal. The Domestic Terminal is located in Eagle Farm, Brisbane, and the International Terminal is 2km away from it. Qantas flights QF400 and above operate from the Domestic Terminal, while Qantas flights QF1-QF399 operate from the International Terminal.

The Domestic Terminal has three distinct areas serving Qantas and QantasLink at the northern end of the building, Virgin Australia at the southern end, and other carriers such as Jetstar located in the central area. The Qantas concourse has nine bays served by aerobridges, including one served by a dual bridge, and three lounges: The Qantas Club, Business Class, and Chairman's Lounge. QantasLink departures are from gates 1-13 on the lower level of the terminal just past security, and from gates 5 and 6, which can be found at the midpoint of level one walkway on the left-hand side.

The International Terminal has 14 bays with aerobridges, four of which are capable of handling A380s, and four layover bays. The terminal has four levels: level 1 houses most airline offices and baggage handlers, level 2 handles arrivals, level 3 houses the departure lounge (airside) and other offices (landside), and level 4 is for departure check-in. The International Terminal features lounges from Emirates, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Aspire, and Plaza Premium.

Brisbane Airport's history

Brisbane Airport has a long history that dates back to the early 20th century. Here is a detailed overview of its evolution:

The Early Years: Eagle Farm Aerodrome

Brisbane's aviation history began in the suburb of Eagle Farm, located 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of the city centre. In 1922, an area near Eagle Farm Racecourse was first used as a landing field. Three years later, in 1925, the Commonwealth Government officially opened Eagle Farm Aerodrome on 36 hectares of former agricultural land. This marked the beginning of aviation in Brisbane.

Qantas Arrives:

In 1926, Qantas, or Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, started operations at Eagle Farm, making it the first airline to do so. Qantas also established the Brisbane Flying Training School at the aerodrome in 1927, further cementing its presence.

A Historic Flight:

On June 9, 1928, aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith made history by landing the "Southern Cross" at Eagle Farm after completing the first trans-Pacific flight from Oakland, California. This momentous occasion attracted a crowd of about 16,000 people, celebrating this achievement.

World War II and Military Use:

During World War II, Brisbane played a significant role as the headquarters of the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in the South West Pacific Area, General Douglas MacArthur. The United States Armed Forces upgraded Eagle Farm Aerodrome to accommodate military flights, and it became the main civilian airport for the city. The airfield was also used as a reassembly and test site for aircraft shipped from the United States, playing a vital role in the war effort.

Post-War Expansion:

After World War II, Eagle Farm Aerodrome continued to serve as Brisbane's primary airport. However, by the 1960s, it became evident that the facilities were inadequate for a growing city like Brisbane. Many long-haul international flights required stopovers, which hindered the city's ability to attract new carriers and business opportunities.

A New Airport:

Recognising the limitations of Eagle Farm, the Federal Government announced the construction of a new airport in June 1980. The new site was located 5 km away from the city centre, towards Moreton Bay. Leighton Contractors were tasked with building the airport, which opened on March 19, 1988, with a domestic terminal and two runways.

Continued Growth:

Over the years, Brisbane Airport has undergone significant expansion and improvements. In September 1995, the international terminal was inaugurated, enhancing the airport's capacity to handle international travel. The airport has also been privatised, with the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) acquiring it in 1997 under a long-term lease.

Recent Developments:

Brisbane Airport continues to evolve to meet the demands of a growing city. In 2020, a new parallel runway was completed, costing over $1 billion. This addition is expected to boost the airport's capacity and contribute to the region's economic growth.

Brisbane Airport has come a long way since its early days at Eagle Farm, and it now serves as a vital transport hub for Queensland, connecting the region to the rest of Australia and the world.

Brisbane Airport's transport links

Brisbane Airport is located in Brisbane, the capital of the Australian state of Queensland. It is the main airport serving Brisbane and South East Queensland. The airport is situated on Airport Drive, Eagle Farm, Brisbane, and is approximately a 30-minute drive from the city centre.

Transport Links

Brisbane Airport has a range of transport options available to passengers travelling to and from the airport. These include taxis, rideshare services, trains, shuttle buses, and cycling and pedestrian connections.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available at the airport, with ranks located outside both the Domestic and International Terminals. The taxi rank at the Domestic Terminal is centrally located in front of the terminal building, while at the International Terminal, it is on Level 2 Arrivals Road. Brisbane has two taxi companies, Black & White Cabs and 13cabs, and the fare from the airport to the city centre is typically between $45 and $55.

Rideshare Services

Brisbane Airport was one of the first airports in Australia to offer rideshare pick-up services such as Uber, Didi, Ola, and Sheba. Designated rideshare booking areas are located near the terminals, with signs to direct passengers.

Trains

The Airtrain provides a direct and convenient rail link between Brisbane Airport and the city. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes, with trains running every 15 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes during off-peak periods. The Airtrain also connects to the Queensland Rail suburban network and offers express services to the Gold Coast, linking to the G:link tram for travel to Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast beaches. The Airtrain stations are located directly in front of each terminal, providing easy access for passengers with luggage.

Shuttle Buses

The Con-x-ion shuttle bus service offers door-to-door transfers between the airport and various locations in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. Tickets can be purchased online or at sales kiosks within the terminals.

Cycling and Pedestrian Connections

Brisbane Airport provides cycling and pedestrian facilities, including shared pathways and roadways where cycling is permitted, except on Moreton Drive. Bicycle racks are available at the Terminal car parks for those who wish to store their bikes. Additionally, shower facilities are available at both terminals for cyclists.

Brisbane Airport's facilities

Brisbane Airport is the main airport serving Brisbane and South East Queensland. It is located in Eagle Farm, 30 minutes' drive from the city centre. The airport has both a domestic and an international terminal, which are located 2km apart. A complimentary Terminal Transfer Bus connects the two terminals.

The Domestic Terminal has two levels, with Qantas operating from the northern end and Virgin Australia from the southern end. Other carriers, such as Jetstar, are located in the central area. There are 29 shops in the Domestic Terminal, as well as 31 places to eat and drink. There are also two airline-specific lounges in the Domestic Terminal.

The International Terminal has four levels, with check-in located on Level 4. There are 27 shops in the International Terminal, as well as 15 places to eat and drink. There are six VIP Lounges in the International Terminal, five of which are airline-specific.

Both terminals offer free Wi-Fi and charging stations. There are also baggage storage facilities, ATMs, currency exchange services, and prayer rooms in both terminals. The airport has a range of hotels nearby, including the Ibis, Pullman, and Novotel.

Frequently asked questions