Hartford Bradley International Airport (BDL), located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, 15 miles north of Hartford and south of Springfield, Massachusetts, serves as New England’s second-busiest airport. Handling over 6.5 million passengers annually, it connects to 45 destinations across the United States, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean, with airlines like Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, and American leading operations. Managed by the Connecticut Airport Authority, this single-terminal hub, also home to the New England Air Museum, offers a straightforward and welcoming experience for travellers exploring the region or beyond.
The passenger experience at Bradley is efficient and user-friendly. Terminal A, divided into East and West Concourses, handles domestic and international departures, while a dedicated International Arrivals Building, sometimes called Terminal B, processes incoming international flights with a capacity of 300 passengers per hour. Arrivals typically involve a short walk via one of 17 jet bridges or a quick bus transfer from the tarmac. Check-in, with 80 counters and self-service kiosks, is generally smooth, though some passengers note kiosks can take 10–15 seconds to load, and queues may form during peak times.
Security screening, located in the Main Terminal and both concourses, requires liquids in 100ml containers and electronics removed, with TSA PreCheck lanes expediting the process for eligible travellers. Wait times average 10–20 minutes but can reach 45 minutes during busy periods. Staff are friendly, and a free assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility, bookable 48 hours in advance, includes wheelchair support and accessible shuttles. Volunteer Airport Ambassadors at information desks assist with directions, though some travellers report crowded lines and outdated self-service systems.
Accessing the airport is convenient, with direct connections via Interstate 91. The 30-Bradley Flyer bus, operated by CTtransit, links the airport to downtown Hartford’s Union Station in 30 minutes for $1.75, departing every 40–60 minutes from 5 am. to midnight. Route 24 connects to Windsor Locks and Windsor train stations, 3 miles away, for Amtrak and Hartford Line services to New York City, though it runs weekdays only.
Taxis, available at Terminal A’s arrivals level, cost around $45 to Hartford, taking 20–30 minutes, while ride-sharing services like Uber offer similar fares. Car hire desks from Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Hertz are in the lower-level parkade, with a 3,500-space multistorey car park opposite Terminal A and four long-term lots served by 24-hour shuttles. A free cell phone waiting lot on Light Lane, 3 minutes from the terminal, aids pick-ups. Traffic on I-91 during rush hours can slow travel, so an extra 30 minutes is recommended.
The airport’s layout is intuitive, with Terminal A featuring 22 gates across the East Concourse (Gates 1–12 for Aer Lingus, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and others) and West Concourse (Gates 20–30 for American, United, and others). The International Arrivals Building has one gate for international flights. A 2024 expansion will add three gates by relocating Gate 20, bringing the total to 25. The main terminal houses check-in, baggage claim with five carousels, and Airport Square, a central lobby. Digital flight displays provide real-time updates, and the walk between concourses takes 10–15 minutes, with shuttles available for quicker transfers. Seating can be limited during peak seasons, and some restrooms appear dated, but the layout ensures easy navigation.
Delays are minimal, with 84% of departures on time from September 2023 to August 2024, outperforming nearby airports like Boston Logan (77%). Average delays, when they occur, are 75.27 minutes, often due to late-arriving aircraft (9% of cases) or weather conditions like snow or fog, particularly in winter. Travellers should arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three for international, especially during summer and holiday peaks, to account for security or check-in queues.
Dining and retail options are diverse. Airport Square and the concourses feature Black Bear Restaurant for American fare, Phillips Seafood for fresh seafood, Starbucks for coffee, and fast-food outlets like Subway, open from 5 am. to 9 pm with grab-and-go options available later. International Shoppes near Gate 8 offers duty-free gifts, while Hudson’s Bay and Relay sell souvenirs and essentials. Limited options for special diets are noted, so planning ahead is advised. The Escape Lounge near Gate 1, open 5 am. to 8 pm. for $45 ($60 at the door), provides complimentary food, drinks, and Wi-Fi.
Facilities enhance comfort. Free Wi-Fi via “Bradley-Free-Wifi” is available throughout, with registration required. Six Webster ATMs, a business centre with workstations, a children’s play area, and a worship centre are present. The Sheraton Hartford Hotel, connected via a corridor, offers meeting spaces. Accessibility features include lifts, ramps, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, visual paging monitors, and a Commuter Carrier Lift, earning a Gold Accessibility Rating. Baggage storage, showers ($15), and a lost-and-found desk managed by State Police are available. The New England Air Museum, on-site, offers aircraft exhibits for enthusiasts.
Connections benefit from the single-terminal setup, with a minimum connection time of 45 minutes for domestic and 90 minutes for international flights. Popular routes to Atlanta, Orlando, and Chicago facilitate transfers, but self-transfers require clearing security and customs, so a two-hour buffer is advised. Late-arriving aircraft, weather, or peak-time congestion can disrupt tight schedules, so checking flight status via bradleyairport.com is recommended.
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates from Terminal A at Bradley International Airport (Hartford) for flights to Dublin. Check-in desks are typically in the Main Check-in Area (desks 1–10 range), but passengers should confirm via airport signage or the Aer Lingus app. Check-in opens 3.5 hours before departure and closes 75 minutes before departure for transatlantic flights. Online check-in is available 24 hours to 2 hours prior.
Departure Gates: Flights typically depart from Gates 1–12 in Terminal A. Gate assignments are dynamic and displayed on airport departure boards.
