Bradley International Airport (BDL) is New England's second-largest airport after Boston’s Logan Airport (BOS).
BDL is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, almost equidistant from the state capital, Hartford, and the city of Springfield in Massachusetts (15 miles to the former vs 18 miles to the latter).
The airport is operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority as a convenient alternative to larger regional airports, including even New York, which is 120 miles away. It provides nonstop access to over 45 destinations mostly within the USA, but also in North America, The Caribbean, and Europe.
In 2024, BDL served over 6.5 million passengers, 98% of which domestic, ranking among the 60 busiest airports in the US.
Major Airlines - Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways
Bradley is an operating base for two low-cost carriers: Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways. Both fly to several destinations across the US, including smaller and larger airports.
In addition, BDL is served by most of the other major US carriers:
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Most of them add seasonal flights to their schedules depending on operational needs.
The foreign carriers serving BDL are BermudAir, which flies to L.F. Wade International in Bermuda, and Aer Lingus, which recently resumed its daily non-stop service between Bradley and Dublin, Ireland.
See a list of all destinations you can reach by a direct flight from Bradley Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates of BDL
BDL has one terminal called Terminal A, which is divided into two concourses.
Different airlines use different concourses, as summarized below:
East Concourse (Gates 1-12): Used by American Airlines, Breeze, Frontier, and Southwest Airlines.
West Concourse (Gates 21-30): Used by Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, and United Airlines.
International arrivals are processed at the Customs Building, which houses the U.S. Border Protection facilities. Some have dubbed this Terminal B, even though it only has one gate and practically no other facilities.
Note that both Bermuda and Dublin (the two frequent international routes from Bradley) have U.S. Pre-clearance capabilities, so flights arriving at BDL from there are treated as if they were domestic flights and normally use Terminal A.
The airport is presently (2025) undergoing significant expansion works, which will increase the number of gates and baggage screening points. It is expected to finish in late 2025/early 2026.
Wi-Fi at Bradley Airport
BDL offers a complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi network with strong coverage of all public areas of the airport.
To connect, select the "BDLPublic" network, which will automatically open a splash page. Simply accept the terms and conditions and you will be connected.
Dining Options
As a midsized airport, BDL offers a variety of options to sit down for a meal, grab a cup of coffee, or eat something on the go, but it is not too busy to be overwhelming.
Most of the dining options are airside, after Security, split equally between the two concourses. Here are some of the best places:
Beercode Kitchen & Bar: Located in the Gates 21-30 area, this bar offers a selection of craft beers and American cuisine.
Dunkin': Coming from Massachusetts, not too far away, this American dessert and coffee shop favorite has multiple locations throughout both concourses and landside.
Auntie Anne's / Carvel Ice Cream: Pretzels and ice cream treats in the West Concourse
McDonald's: Everyone’s favorite fast-food option is located in the Airside Lobby just after Security.
D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches: The name is true to the offer. Located in the West Concourse.
Papa Gino's Pizza: Authentic Italian pizza in the airside lobby.
Phillips Seafood: Located in the Gates 1-12 area.
Those who can’t wake up for that early morning flight without coffee can get a cup at Starbucks in the airside lobby.
Lounges at Bradley Airport
The Escape Lounge near Gate 1 in Terminal A is the only lounge at Bradley Airport.
It offers complimentary drinks and delicious seasonal food, cozy corners and spaces to work, together with high-speed Wi-Fi, and an overall relaxing environment.
It is open daily from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM and available to passengers of all airlines. The entrance fee is 60 USD at the door or 45 USD if pre-booked.
Transport to and from Bradley Airport
Various options exist to reach BDL from cities in the region and to travel from Bradley to destinations in the vicinity, both within Connecticut and towards Massachusetts.
The airport is served by several public buses:
30-Bradley Flyer: This CTtransit bus goes between the airport and downtown Hartford, stopping at the Connecticut Convention Center and Union Station. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. It operates every 40 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, and hourly during early mornings, late nights, and Sundays.
Bus Route 24: Also operated by CTtransit, this bus connects the airport with the Windsor Locks train station. It runs on weekdays from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM.
Both buses can be taken from Terminal A’s baggage claim at the arrivals level, outside of Door #6.
While there is no direct train service at the airport, the nearby Windsor Locks train station is accessible via Bus Route 24 (see above). Once at the train station, you can connect to Amtrak and Hartford Line trains.
When it comes to private transport, most people take a taxi outside Arrivals, after Baggage Claim, between Exit Doors 2 and 3. Prices to Hartford are around 35-40 USD, whereas a trip to Springfield will normally set you back around 40-45 USD.
Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have a designated pick-up area outside of Door 2 on the Arrivals level. It takes around 3-5 minutes to get picked up. Prices are set and shown in the app before the ride.
Arranging a shuttle service is another convenient option, especially if you want more customizable options. Private shuttle companies, such as Prime Time Shuttle and Jayride, offer shared and private rides to various destinations.
Check more options for private transfers at Bradley Airport.
Last but not least, rental cars - for those who want the ultimate flexibility when it comes to transport, and enjoy driving! Major rental car companies like Hertz and Sixt operate at the Ground Transportation Center, which is right across Terminal A, just a short walking distance away.
Parking at Bradley International Airport
With so many people driving to the airport these days, parking has become essential. Bradley offers various options for covered or uncovered parking to suit different budgets.
Here’s a short summary of the available lots and garages at the airport:
Garage Parking: Covered parking connected to the terminal. Costs 4 USD for the first 30 minutes, 6 USD for the first hour, with a daily rate of 28 USD and a weekly maximum of 130 USD.
Express Lot 1: A close, uncovered parking lot connected by a free shuttle that runs 24/7. Costs 5 USD for the first hour, plus 1 USD for each additional hour, with a daily rate of 12 USD and a weekly maximum of 72 USD.
Park & Walk Lot 2: An uncovered parking walking distance from the terminal thus no shuttle provided. Costs 5 USD for the first hour, plus 1 USD for each additional hour with a daily rate of 9 USD and a weekly maximum of 54 USD.
Economy Lot 3: Similar to Lot 1, but on the other side of the airport. Also connected by a free shuttle. Prices are a bit cheaper: 5 USD for the first hour, plus 1 USD for each additional hour, with a daily rate of 8 USD and a weekly maximum of 48 USD.
Economy Lot 4: Located near Lot 3 and has a very similar purpose. Also served by the airport shuttle. The fares are 5 USD for the first hour, plus 1 USD for each additional hour with a daily rate of 7 USD and a weekly maximum of 42 USD.
Lot 5B: Only used as an overflow lot, so it’s usually not available. It is exclusively for long-term parking with a arte of 30 USD per week.
Cell Phone Waiting Lot: Free parking area for drivers waiting to pick up arriving passengers. It’s only about 3 minutes driving from the terminal building.
Off-site parking options, such as LAZ Fly and Z Airport Parking, provide additional choices with shuttle services to the terminal, although for all options except the covered garage, they cost more for equivalent periods of time.
Hotels near Bradley Airport
Located within the airport complex and with direct access to the terminal is the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport. That’s its primary selling point, although the spacious, comfy rooms with great bathrooms, the in-house restaurant, and the exceptional service are much appreciated by guests too.
More hotels line the Ella Grasso Turnpike road on the east side of the airport grounds. Most offer a complimentary shuttle and similar high-class amenities like the Sheraton. Some of them include the Hampton Inn Hartford/Airport and the Doubletree by Hilton, both only about 2.5 miles away from the terminal.
To choose from more hotels near Bradley Airport, click here.
Hartford, CT, USA
