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Bradley International Airport (BDL) is a public international airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. It is Connecticut's busiest commercial airport and the second-busiest airport in New England after Boston's Logan International Airport. The airport is about halfway between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bradley International Airport |
| IATA | BDL |
| ICAO | KBDL |
| FAA LID | BDL |
| Location | Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States |
| Distance from Hartford | 20 minutes |
| Distance from Springfield, Massachusetts | Halfway between Hartford and Springfield |
| Year civil use began | 1947 |
| First commercial flight | Eastern Air Lines Flight 624 |
| Year of first jet service | 1961 |
| Number of destinations | More than 40 |
| Number of carriers | 11 |
| Number of passengers in 2019 | 6.75 million |
| Ranking in Connecticut | Busiest commercial airport |
| Ranking in New England | Second-busiest airport |
| Ranking in the US in 2019 | 55th-busiest commercial airport |
| Parking | On-site parking available |
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What You'll Learn
Bradley International Airport's location and history
Bradley International Airport (IATA: BDL, ICAO: KBDL, FAA LID: BDL) is a public international airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. It is Connecticut's busiest commercial airport and the second-largest airport in New England after Boston's Logan International Airport, serving over 6.75 million passengers in 2019. The airport is about halfway between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts, and is approximately 20 minutes from Hartford. Bradley International Airport is owned and operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) and serves travellers from Connecticut, western Massachusetts, and other New England states.
Bradley International Airport's history dates back to the early 1940s when the State of Connecticut acquired 1,700 acres of farmland from the Town of Windsor Locks. In 1941, the land was leased to the federal government to build a military air base as the United States entered World War II. The airfield was named after 24-year-old Second Lieutenant Eugene M. Bradley, who died in a training exercise at the base in August 1941. During the war, Bradley Field served as a training base for air combat and a staging area for those being deployed overseas. In 1945, the field was deactivated and returned to state ownership.
In 1947, Bradley Field became the home of the Connecticut Air National Guard and began civil use as Bradley International Airport, with Eastern Air Lines operating its first commercial flight. International cargo operations also commenced that year. By 1948, American Airlines and United Airlines had switched their service to Bradley, and the airport became the primary airport for the Hartford/Springfield area. In 1950, the airport exceeded the 100,000-passenger mark, and in 1952, the Murphy Terminal (later Terminal B) opened, becoming the oldest passenger terminal of any major airport in the US until its closure in 2010.
Over the years, Bradley International Airport has undergone several expansions and improvements to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and modernise its facilities. In 1965, the airport added two passenger wings to the original terminal and lengthened runways to accommodate larger jet airplanes. In 1979, a tornado damaged portions of the airport, leading to the construction of the new Terminal A and Bradley Sheraton Hotel, which were completed in 1986. In 2001, the Terminal Improvement Project was initiated, including the construction of a new concourse, new terminal buildings, and improvements to the roadway system to enhance traffic flow. The airport's recent developments include the opening of the Ground Transportation Center, centralising rental car operations and providing additional parking options.
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The airport's busiest routes
Bradley International Airport is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. It is the second-largest airport in New England and is owned and operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority. The airport is about halfway between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts.
Bradley International Airport is served by several major airlines, including Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, and United Airlines. The airport offers nonstop flights to more than 40 destinations, including several international locations.
The four largest carriers at Bradley International Airport are Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines, with market shares of 29%, 19%, 15%, and 14%, respectively. These airlines dominate the busiest routes to and from the airport.
Some of the busiest routes from Bradley International Airport include:
- Delta Airlines operates seasonal flights to Cancun, Mexico, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
- Aer Lingus offers transatlantic service to Dublin, Ireland, with a commitment to continue this route for several years.
- Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Frontier Airlines provide seasonal services to Cancun, Mexico, utilizing the International Arrivals Building.
- Northwest Airlines launched Hartford's first direct flight to Europe in 2007 with a route to Amsterdam.
- Breeze Airways announced in 2022 that they would establish a base at Bradley International Airport, offering nonstop service to eight new destinations, including Akron/Canton, Jacksonville, Nashville, Richmond, Sarasota/Bradenton, and Savannah.
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The airport's busiest airlines
Bradley International Airport (BDL) is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. It is the second-largest airport in New England and is about halfway between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts.
Bradley International Airport is Connecticut's busiest commercial airport and the second-busiest airport in New England after Boston's Logan International Airport, with over 6.75 million passengers in 2019. The airport is served by several major airlines, including:
- Southwest Airlines, with a market share of 29%.
- Delta Airlines, with a market share of 19%. Delta offers seasonal service to Cancun, Mexico, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
- JetBlue, with a market share of 15%.
- American Airlines, with a market share of 14%. American Airlines switched its service from the Hartford-Brainard Airport to Bradley by 1948.
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- Breeze Airways
- Frontier Airlines, which offers seasonal service to Cancun, Mexico, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
- Spirit Airlines
- Sun Country
- United Airlines, which began operating at Bradley in 1948.
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The airport's facilities
Bradley International Airport (BDL) is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. It is the second-largest airport in New England and the busiest commercial airport in Connecticut. The airport is about halfway between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts, and it serves travellers from Connecticut, western Massachusetts, and other New England states.
Bradley International Airport has a rich history, beginning in 1940 when the State of Connecticut acquired 1,700 acres of farmland from the Town of Windsor Locks. The land was leased to the federal government to build a military air base as the United States entered World War II. In 1941, Second Lieutenant Eugene M. Bradley died in a training exercise at the air base, and the base was subsequently named Bradley Field in his honour. During the war, Bradley Field served as a training base for air combat and a staging area for those being deployed overseas.
The airfield began civil use in 1947, with Eastern Air Lines operating the first commercial flight. International cargo operations also commenced that year. In 1948, American Airlines and United Airlines switched their service from the Hartford-Brainard Airport to Bradley, and Northeast Airlines began new service. Bradley became the primary airport for the Hartford/Springfield area.
Over the years, Bradley International Airport has undergone expansions and improvements. In 2002, a new East Concourse and an International Arrivals Building were opened, enhancing the airport's capacity and functionality. The airport is home to several cargo airlines and aviation services for private and corporate travel. It also serves as a base for the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard and the Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol.
The airport is easily accessible by car, offering on-site parking at competitive prices and clear routes to major highways. The Ground Transportation Center has centralised rental car operations and provided additional parking, with future plans for further improvements to public transportation. Bradley International Airport is served by various airlines, including Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
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The airport's car parking
Bradley International Airport, also known as Bradley Field, is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. It is the second-largest airport in New England and is owned and operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority. The airport is about halfway between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts, and is easily accessible from both cities.
Bradley International Airport offers convenient and affordable on-site car parking options for travellers. The airport's Ground Transportation Center houses centralised rental car operations, providing easy access to various car rental agencies. The Centre has significantly changed the airport's layout while adding more parking spaces.
The airport's website provides detailed information on parking rates, locations, and options, ensuring travellers can make informed decisions. With clearly marked routes to major highways, travellers can quickly get on their way after their flights. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options to cater to different traveller needs. Short-term parking is ideal for quick pick-ups and drop-offs, while long-term parking is suitable for travellers going on extended trips.
The parking facilities at Bradley International Airport are well-maintained and secure, providing peace of mind for travellers. The airport's website also offers helpful tips and guidelines for utilising the parking areas efficiently and safely. This includes information on parking regulations, height restrictions, and any applicable discounts or promotions.
In addition to the standard parking options, Bradley International Airport may also provide specialised parking services, such as valet parking or designated parking areas for electric vehicles with charging stations. These additional services enhance the overall travel experience, catering to diverse traveller preferences and needs. The airport's focus on improving ground transportation and parking facilities underscores its commitment to providing a seamless and enjoyable journey for all its patrons.
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Frequently asked questions
Bradley International Airport is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States.
Bradley Airport is located approximately 20 minutes from Hartford, Connecticut.
Bradley Airport began as a military base in 1940 on 1,700 acres of farmland purchased from the town of Windsor Locks by the state of Connecticut. The airfield was named after 24-year-old Lt. Eugene M. Bradley, who died in a training exercise. During World War II, it served as a training base for air combat and a staging area for those being deployed overseas. The airport's first commercial flight was in 1941, and it has since expanded to become the second-largest airport in New England.
Bradley Airport is one of only 68 airports worldwide that can accommodate the Airbus A380. It is also home to the New England Air Museum and the International Arrivals Building, which can process over 300 passengers per hour. The airport is also known for its convenient access to major highways and its on-site full-service hotel.
