
There are several airports in and around Hartford, Connecticut. The primary airport for the Hartford/Springfield area is Bradley International Airport (BDL), which is located about halfway between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts. It is Connecticut's busiest commercial airport and the only airport in the state with national and international traffic. In addition to Bradley International, there are several smaller airports in the Hartford area, including Hartford-Brainard Airport, which was one of the busiest general aviation airports in the state and historically served as the primary airport for the region before commercial jets moved their operations to Bradley International in the 1950s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports in Hartford, Connecticut | Bradley International Airport, Hartford-Brainard Airport |
| Bradley International Airport codes | BDL, KBDL, KBDL |
| Hartford-Brainard Airport codes | |
| Bradley International Airport location | Windsor Locks, just outside of Hartford |
| Hartford-Brainard Airport location | Hartford |
| Bradley International Airport major airline flights | Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, American Airlines |
| Hartford-Brainard Airport major airline flights | American Airlines, United Airlines |
| Bradley International Airport transport | Taxi, limo, rental car |
| Hartford-Brainard Airport transport | Taxi, limo, rental car |
| Bradley International Airport bus transport | CT Transit, Route 24, Route 30x (Bradley Flyer) |
| Bradley International Airport train transport | Amtrak, Hartford Line |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Bradley International Airport (BDL)
The airport has a rich history, originally branded as the "Gateway to New England". It began civil use in 1947 and its first commercial flight was Eastern Air Lines Flight 624. International cargo operations also commenced that year. By 1948, American Airlines and United Airlines had switched their services from the Hartford-Brainard Airport to Bradley. Hartford-Brainard Airport, located in Hartford, was historically one of the busiest general aviation airports in the state. During World War II, it was designated Brainard Field and served as a major training centre for pilots and aircrews.
Bradley International Airport has consistently ranked highly in Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards. In 2017, it was named the 5th-best airport in the United States, and in 2018, it was ranked 3rd. In 2022, it was named the 2nd-best airport in the country, surpassed only by Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The airport offers various amenities, including on-site parking, charging stations, free Wi-Fi, and restaurant options, contributing to its recognition as a relaxed and convenient airport for travellers.
The airport also has a military presence as a dual-use facility with the U.S. Air Force. It is home to the 103rd Airlift Wing (103 AW) of the Connecticut Air National Guard. A 2024 expansion project is underway, which includes the construction of a new baggage screening facility and additional gates, enhancing the airport's capacity and functionality. Bradley International Airport's official website embraces the "Love the Journey" slogan, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in the culture and fun of their travels.
Pittsburgh Airport: How Many Acres Does It Cover?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Hartford-Brainard Airport
The Hartford–Brainard Airport (IATA: HFD, ICAO: KHFD, FAA LID: HFD) is a public-use airport situated on 201 acres, just 3 miles from downtown Hartford, Connecticut. It is owned by the Connecticut Airport Authority, which gained control of the airport in 2013, along with five other airports, after they were transferred from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Hartford–Brainard Airport is the premier general aviation facility serving central Connecticut. The airport is designated as a Regional GA Airport and a Reliever Airport in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). This means that the airport can relieve congestion at nearby commercial service airports, such as Bradley International Airport, and provide improved general aviation access to the community.
The airport has a long history, dating back to 1921 when a 350-acre cow pasture was chosen as the site for the country's first municipal airport. It was named after former mayor Newton C. Brainard and, in its early years, hosted the likes of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. During World War II, the airport was designated Brainard Field and served as a major training centre for pilots and aircrews.
Today, the airport offers a full range of FBO aviation business services, including concierge, fueling, ground support, aircraft repair, avionics, and flight school training. It is also home to the Connecticut Aero Tech School, which offers training programs in aviation maintenance technology. The airport features three runways and two helipads, with the longest runway measuring 4,400 feet in length.
EWr Airport: Free Wifi Access for Travelers?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport
There are several airports in Hartford, Connecticut, including Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport. Located three miles southeast of downtown New Haven, in New Haven County, Connecticut, Tweed-New Haven Airport is partly located in the City of New Haven (which owns the airport) and partly in the Town of East Haven. The airport is one of two in Connecticut with regularly scheduled commercial services, the other being Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.
The airport was first established as New Haven Municipal Airport, with ground-breaking ceremonies taking place on November 11, 1929, and it opened for traffic on August 29, 1931. The first airline to serve New Haven was Li-Con Airways, which provided passenger and airmail services from 1933 to 1934. In 1934, American Airlines began serving New Haven as a stop on flights between New York and Boston, and this service continued until 1960. On June 25, 1961, the airport was renamed in honour of John H. "Jack" Tweed, its first airport manager.
Tweed-New Haven has been served by a variety of airlines over the years, including United Airlines, which operated non-stop flights to Chicago O'Hare Airport from 1991 to 1996. In 2007, Pan Am Clipper Connection began non-stop flights to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Hanscom Field, and Pease International Airport, but this service ended the same year. As of 2017, US Airways Express (Piedmont) was the only airline serving New Haven year-round, and it later became American Eagle after the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. In 2019, Shoreline Aviation, based at the airport, announced a merger with Cape Air, a popular seaplane service.
Today, the airport is operated by AFCO AvPORTS of Dulles, Virginia, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, under contract with the Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport Authority. In 2021, Avelo Airlines, a low-cost startup, announced that it would be opening its first East Coast base at Tweed New Haven, with initial routes to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, and Tampa.
The Evolution of New Orleans Airport: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Smaller, regional airports in Connecticut
Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, just outside of Hartford, is Connecticut's only airport with national and international traffic. It is the state's busiest commercial airport and the second busiest airport in New England, with over 6.75 million passengers in 2019. The airport is about halfway between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts.
There are several smaller, regional airports in Connecticut, including:
- Hartford-Brainard Airport: Located in the city of Hartford, Brainard Airport has historically been one of the busiest general aviation airports in the state. Commercial jets operated from Brainard until the 1950s when they moved to Bradley International Airport. Today, Brainard serves as a reliever airport for Bradley Airport.
- Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (HVN): This airport offers commercial service and is one of the two largest airports in the state, along with Bradley International.
- T.F. Green (PVD): This airport is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and may offer easier access to eastern Connecticut than the larger airports in the state.
- Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport: Located in Stratford, east of Bridgeport, this airport consists of a passenger terminal, a general aviation terminal, and private hangars.
- Groton-New London Airport: This airport serves southeastern Connecticut and currently has no scheduled commercial airline service. However, it offers charter services and ground transportation options, including cab companies, limo services, and car rentals.
Singapore Airport and US Dollars: Accepted or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Airports near Hartford, Connecticut
There are several airports near Hartford, Connecticut, including the state's only airport with national and international traffic, Bradley International Airport (BDL), located a short distance north of Hartford. Bradley International is the busiest commercial airport in Connecticut and the second busiest in New England, with over 6.75 million passengers in 2019. The airport is about halfway between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts, and is accessible by train, bus, taxi, limo, and rental car.
Another airport in Hartford is the Hartford-Brainard Airport, which has historically been one of the busiest general aviation airports in the state. During World War II, the airport was designated Brainard Field, a major training centre for pilots and aircrews. Today, it serves as a reliever airport for Bradley Airport, and is home to the Connecticut Aero Tech School.
Other airports near Hartford include Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (43 miles away), Worcester Regional Airport (61 miles away), and Theodore Francis Green Memorial State Airport (84 miles away).
JFK Airport: Can You Bring Your Dog?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The main airport in Hartford, Connecticut, is Bradley International Airport (BDL). It is located in Windsor Locks, just outside of Hartford. The airport is about halfway between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hartford also has a municipal airport called Hartford-Brainard Airport, which is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the state.
Bradley International Airport is the busiest commercial airport in the state of Connecticut. It is also the second busiest airport in New England after Boston's Logan International Airport.
The four largest carriers at Bradley International Airport are Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines. Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines (Apple Vacations), and Northwest Airlines also operate from Bradley International.
CT Transit provides bus transportation to and from Bradley International Airport through two routes. Route 24 connects the airport with the Windsor Locks and Windsor train stations, while Route 30x provides express service to Downtown Hartford. Ground transportation is also available by taxi, limo, and rental car.
































