
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, commonly referred to as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. BWI is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport |
| IATA Code | BWI |
| ICAO Code | KBWI |
| FAA LID | BWI |
| Location | Anne Arundel County, Maryland |
| Distance from Baltimore | 9 mi (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore |
| Distance from Washington, D.C. | 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. |
| Busiest airport in | Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area |
| Ranking in passenger enplanements in the U.S. | #23 |
| Carriers | Southwest Airlines, Ghana Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle |
| Reputation | "Easy Come, Easy Go" |
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What You'll Learn

BWI is in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
BWI Airport, also known as Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. The airport is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, along with Dulles International Airport in Virginia and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, also in Virginia.
BWI is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and ranked 23rd in the US for passenger enplanements in 2023, with 12,849,636 passenger enplanements recorded that year. The airport has a reputation for low fares, convenient parking, and a modern terminal, making it a popular choice for travellers in the region. It is also known for its “easy come, easy go" reputation, with a focus on providing a low-stress and pleasurable experience for travellers.
The airport has received several accolades over the years. In 2009, it was ranked the world's best airport in the 15-to-25-million-passenger category by Airports Council International. BWI also ranked seventh in medium-sized airports for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates. Additionally, in 2008, Health magazine named BWI the second-healthiest airport in the United States.
BWI has a long history, with the Maryland Department of Transportation purchasing Friendship International Airport, its predecessor, from the City of Baltimore in 1972. The airport was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Airport in 1973 to attract passengers from the Washington metropolitan area. Southwest Airlines has been a significant presence at BWI since its arrival in 1993, and it continues to be the airport's largest carrier. In 2018, construction began on a $60 million expansion of Terminal A for Southwest Airlines, reflecting the airline's importance to the airport's operations.
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It is 9 miles from downtown Baltimore
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, also known as BWI Airport, is located 9 miles (or 14 km) from downtown Baltimore. It is one of three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area. The airport is in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and is 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C.
BWI Airport is conveniently located for travellers to and from Baltimore, as well as those heading to Washington, D.C., or other destinations in the National Capital Region. The airport is known for its low fares, convenient parking, modern terminals, and easy navigation.
As the closest major airport to Baltimore, BWI serves as a gateway to the city and the surrounding region. Baltimore is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture, offering visitors a range of attractions and experiences. The city is known for its beautiful Inner Harbour, world-class museums, and charming neighbourhoods like Fells Point and Mount Vernon. Baltimore also boasts a diverse culinary scene, with options ranging from seafood favourites to innovative fusion cuisine.
Being only 9 miles from downtown Baltimore, BWI Airport provides easy access to the city for travellers. There are several transportation options available to get to and from the airport, including shuttle services, taxis, ride-sharing apps, and car rentals. The airport also has a convenient location for those who are driving, with easy access to major highways such as Interstate 95 and Interstate 895.
In addition to its proximity to Baltimore, BWI Airport's location 9 miles from the city centre puts it within reach of several other notable areas. For example, the historic town of Annapolis, known for its charming waterfront and the United States Naval Academy, is just a short drive away. Additionally, the beautiful Chesapeake Bay area, known for its stunning natural scenery and outdoor recreational activities, is easily accessible from the airport.
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BWI is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, commonly referred to as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. BWI is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, along with Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Dulles, Virginia, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Crystal City, Virginia.
BWI Airport has a reputation for offering low fares, convenient parking, and a modern terminal with an "Easy Come, Easy Go" experience for travellers. It is known for being a hub for low-cost flights, particularly with the arrival and expansion of Southwest Airlines, which has made BWI one of its operating bases. In 2011, Southwest Airlines accounted for 56.12% of the airport's passengers. BWI has also been recognised for its high customer satisfaction, ranking highly in surveys by Airports Council International and J.D. Power and Associates.
The airport has a rich history, having been purchased by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) from the City of Baltimore in 1972. Under MDOT, the airport underwent significant upgrades and modernisation, and its name was changed to Baltimore/Washington International Airport in 1973 to attract passengers from the Washington metropolitan area. The airport's IATA code, originally BAL, was officially changed to BWI in 1980.
BWI has experienced substantial growth in passenger traffic over the years. In 2015, Norwegian Air Shuttle announced plans to operate flights to Guadeloupe and Martinique, and in 2018, the airline hinted at further expansion into Europe. That same year, BWI set a new annual record, welcoming over 27.1 million passengers. In 2023, BWI recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.
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It is also known as Thurgood Marshall Airport
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) is also known as Thurgood Marshall Airport. The airport is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. It is one of three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Dulles International Airport in Virginia and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, also in Virginia.
BWI is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, recording 12,849,636 passenger enplanements in 2023. The airport serves as one of 12 U.S.-based operating bases for Southwest Airlines, which is the airport's largest carrier. BWI has a reputation for offering low fares, convenient parking, and a modern terminal, with an "Easy Come, Easy Go" approach.
The airport was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in October 2005 to honour Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Marshall was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and a renowned lawyer who argued several landmark cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education, which led to the desegregation of public schools in 1954.
The history of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport dates back to 1944 when planning for a new airport to serve the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area began. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) purchased Friendship International Airport from the City of Baltimore in 1972, and the airport was officially renamed Baltimore/Washington International Airport in 1973 to attract passengers from the Washington metropolitan area. The airport's IATA code was changed from BAL to BWI in 1980, and it has since been commonly referred to as BWI Airport.
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BWI is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, commonly referred to as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. BWI is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
BWI is indeed the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. In 2023, the airport recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, surpassing the other two airports in the region. This ranking placed BWI as the 23rd busiest airport in the United States for passenger enplanements.
The airport has a reputation for offering low fares, convenient parking, and a modern terminal, making it a popular choice for travellers in the region. BWI has been recognised for its high customer satisfaction, ranking 7th among medium-sized airports in a 2009 J.D. Power and Associates survey. Additionally, in 2009, BWI experienced a 6% increase in air travellers due to the availability of discount flights.
BWI has been a hub for low-cost flights in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area since Southwest Airlines' arrival in 1993. Southwest Airlines is the airport's largest carrier, and as of 2011, it accounted for 56.12% of the airport's passengers. In 2018, BWI Marshall Airport set a new annual record for passenger traffic, surpassing 27.1 million passengers.
The airport's convenient location and accessibility have contributed to its success as the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Its proximity to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., makes it a convenient option for travellers in the region. Additionally, BWI offers a range of amenities and services to enhance the travel experience, including an "Easy Come, Easy Go" reputation.
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Frequently asked questions
BWI, or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, is located in the state of Maryland.
BWI is located 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore.
BWI is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. In 2023, it recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements.
BWI offers convenient parking, a modern terminal, and an "easy come, easy go" reputation. The airport also has a wayfinding map to help you locate your gate, a place to eat, or a place to relax before or after your flight.














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