BDL Airport Guide

Bradley International Airport, or BDL, is in Windsor Locks, located between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. BDL ranks second as the largest and busiest airport in New England and serves the Greater Hartford area. The airport caters for over 6 million annual passengers. It also supports military operations of the U.S. Air Force and the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing. 

BDL Airport covers about 2,432 acres, with two runways. The airport houses a single terminal, Terminal A, with two concourses, East Concourse and West Concourse. The East Concourse houses Gates 1 to 12 and the West with Gates 20 to 30. 

The major airlines serving Bradley are Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and American. Other airlines include Breeze Airways, Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United, and Sun Country Airlines. 

BDL Airport History

Bradley International Airport goes back to the early 1940s when the state acquired the land in Windsor Locks. In 1941, It was handed over to the U.S. Army and became a military airfield. The airport opened to the public as Bradley International Airport in 1947 and quickly became the primary airport for Hartford and Springfield. The airport experienced significant growth throughout the 20th century in passenger numbers, resulting in new facilities. 

Construction began on a People Mover system at Bradley Airport in 1974, but the project was a failure due to high operating costs and underutilization. The system was dismantled in 1984, and its retired vehicles are now on display at a museum. 

Bradley Airport continued to expand and improve its facilities in the 21st century. Major projects included the construction of a new East Concourse in Terminal A, an International Arrivals building, and a centralized passenger screening area. 

In 1986, the airport opened Terminal A and the Bradley Sheraton Hotel. In December 2002, the airport received a new International Arrivals Building to the west of Terminal B. It also introduced international routes, including direct flights to Europe and the Caribbean. BDL continues to grow and expand, successfully establishing transatlantic service and bringing in new airlines and routes.  

Where Is BDL Airport?

Bradley International Airport, or BDL, is in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, located between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. The airport’s address is  Schoephoester Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. 

BDL Airport Map

Bradley Airport map shows all relevant details about the airport terminal, parking, and transportation locations. 

BDL Airport Parking & Transportation

Bradley International Airport has onsite lots and offsite lots. Onsite lots are Garage, Express Lot 1, Park & Walk Lot 2, Economy Lot 3, Economy Lot 4, and Lot 5B. Parking at the onsite lots is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you want the lowest parking fares, you must reserve a spot at the offsite lots. Check out GlobalAirportParking.com for the cheapest parking rates. 

Transportation: Public transportation, car, taxi, or rideshare services are available modes of transportation to and from BDL Airport. 

Public Transportation 

BDL Airport offers bus and train services for convenient transportation to and from the airport. 

Bus Service 

To Hartford 

• CTtransit’s 30-Bradley Flyer bus connects Hartford Airport to downtown Hartford, with stops at the Connecticut Convention Center and Union Station. The bus service is available every 40 to 60 minutes and takes about thirty minutes from the airport to downtown. 
• Bus Stop Location: Baggage claim at the Arrivals Level of Terminal A. Exit via Door 6 and follow the sign to the outer curb for the bus stop. 

To Windsor Locks Train Station 

• CT Transit has a bus service, Route 24, to the Windsor Locks RR station from the airport. The service is only on weekdays, between 5:30 am and 11:30 pm. 
• Bus Stop Location: Baggage claim at the Arrivals Level of Terminal A. Exit via Door 6 and follow the sign to the outer curb for the bus stop. Wait at the signage Local Buses/CTtransit. 

Train Service 

• Metro-North operates the New Haven Line between New Haven and Grand Central Terminal in NYC. This line has three branch lines that extend to New Canaan, Danbury, and Waterbury. 
• Shore Line East operates along the shore between New London and New Haven, with connections to the New Haven Line. 
• The Hartford Line operates between Springfield and New Haven, connecting with the New Haven Line and Amtrak Northeast Corridor service. 

Towards BDL 

Hartford Line to the Airport

• The Hartford Line runs daily service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, MA, via CTrail (Connecticut’s commuter rail system) and Amtrak trains. Passengers in New Haven have multiple options, including the New Haven Line, Amtrak’s Acela, & Northeast Regional, and Shore Line East rail services. 
• Station Location: Windsor Locks (South Main Street at Stanton Road), three miles from the airport, is the closest station. Route 24 Bus Service can take you there. Union Station is 30 minutes away, and you can reach there by Bradley Flyer Bus Service. For more information, check the website Hartfordline CT Line.

 For information 

•  Amtrak: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)  
•  Shore Line East (SLE): +1-877-CTrides (1-877-287-4337)  
•  New Haven Line information: (877) 690-511  

Car Service and Rideshares 

Ride Apps 

Uber and Lyft are the authorized Ride App companies at Bradley Airport. The driver will pick you up from the Ride App Pick-up point curbside, which is outside of door number 2 on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim. The ride will reach you within five minutes of your request.  

Rental Cars 

The Rental car pick-up is at the Main Terminal, Level 1. 

Rental car pickup and dropoff are at the Ground Transportation Center, next to the airport’s main terminal, Terminal A. You can walk to the Ground Transportation Center through the walkway. 

The car rental counters are at: 

• Avis, Budget, Payless: Floor 2   
• Enterprise, National, Alamo: Floor 3: 
• Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty: Floor 4 

Taxis 

BDL provides a taxi service at the airport. You can pre-book a taxi or just walk to the counter and book one. For more information or to reserve a taxi, call +1-860-627-3128. 

Location: Outside the Baggage Claim on the Arrivals Level. Exit between doors 2 and 3.  

Limousine Service 

The limousine service at BDL runs services to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the northeast parts and is available upon reservation. A limousine driver will meet you inside the terminal and guide you to the vehicle. The authorized limo service companies are: 

• Affordable Airport Car Services 
• Arrivability Car Service, Inc. 
• Elite Limousine 
• Ethic, LLC 
• Gateway Limousine, Inc. 
• Hy’s Limousine 
• Joshua’s Limousine Service 
• Liberty Limousine 
• Lindsey Limousine 
• Seemo Shuttle, LLC 
• Smooth Line Limousine & Transportation 
• Worcester Airport Limousine 

How to Get to BDL Airport 

Bradley Hartford International Airport is near Exit 40 of the Interstate 91 north and south connector road.  

Driving Directions 

• From the East: From Route 90, head west on Route 84. Continue towards Route 291 West and merge onto Route 91 North. Finally, take Exit 40, which leads directly to BDL Airport. 
• From the West: Head east on Route 84, Merge onto Route 91 North, and Take Exit 40 for the airport. 
• From the South: Drive north on Route 95 to Merge onto Route 91 North and Take Exit 40 for the airport. 
• From the North: Head south on Route 91 and Take Exit 40 for Bradley Airport. 

How to get from Bradley International Airport to Downtown Bradley?  

From BDL Airport, you can take a Rideshare, Taxi, Train, Bus, or rent a car.  

Driving Directions 

• From Bradley Airport, take Route 20 East and merge onto I-91 South toward Hartford.
• Stay on I-91 South for about 12 miles and Take Exit 32B to reach Downtown Hartford.
• Downtown is about 15 miles south of BDL Airport and will take around 25 minutes. 

Amenities 

These are some amenities that you can find at BDL Airport.  

• ATM 
• Charging Stations 
• Concierge Service 
• Currency Exchange 
• Free Wi-Fi 
• Luggage Carts 
• Lounges 
• Lost & Found 
• Moving Walkways 
• Nursing Rooms 
• Pet Relief Areas  
• Restaurants 
• Shops 
• Therapy Dogs 

Hotels near Bradley International Airport 

Here are some of the best Bradley Airport hotels: 

Sheraton Bradley Airport (at the airport) 

• Address: 1 Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-627-5311 

Candlewood Suites 

• Address: 149 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-623-2000 

Hampton Inn 

• Address: 2168 Poquonock Ave, Windsor, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-683-1118 

Doubletree Hotel 

• Address: 16 Ella T. Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-627-5171 

Hartford-Windsor Marriott 

• Address: 28 Day Hill Rd, Windsor, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-688-7500 

Hilton Garden Inn 

• Address: 555 Corporate Dr, Windsor, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-688-6400 

Courtyard by Marriott Windsor 

• Phone: 1 Day Hill Rd, Windsor, Connecticut 
• Phone +1-860-683-0022 

Rodeway Inn & Suites 

• Address: 161 Bridge St, East Windsor, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-623-9411 

Springhill Suites by Marriott 

• Address: 225 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-758-7000 

The Simsbury Inn 

• Address: 397 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, Connecticut 
• Phone: +1-860-651-5700 

BDL Airport Lounges 

Bradley International Airport (BDL) houses a single Lounge:  

Escape Lounge 

• Location: Terminal A, near Gate 1 (After Security) 
• Hours: 5 am – 8 pm 

Bradley Airport Airport Food and Dining

The airport has several food and dining options across the terminal. Some of the restaurants at BDL are: 

Airside Lobby (Post-Security) 

• Black Bear Saloon: Restaurant/Bar 
• Fresh City: Counter Service/Salads, Wraps, & Stir Fry 
• Jamba Juice: Counter Service/Smoothies, Bowls & Juices 
• McDonald’s: Fast Food 
• Papa Gino’s Pizza: Italian 
• Starbucks: Coffee Shop 

East Concourse: Gates 1-12 

• Dunkin’: Coffee Shop 
• Phillips Seafood Restaurant: Restaurant & Bar 
• Two Roads Tap Room: Restaurant & Bar 

West Concourse: Gates 20-30 

• Auntie Anne’s & Carvel: Pretzels & Ice Cream 
• Beercode Kitchen & Bar: Restaurat & Bar 
• D’Angelos: Sandwiches 
• Dunkin’: Coffee Shop 
• TravelTini: Restaurant & Bar 

Landside Lobby // Before Security Checkpoint 

• Avanti Market: Self-Service Market 
• Cask & Barrel Bistro: Restaurant & Bar 
• Concorde’s (at the Sheraton): T/Bar 
• Dunkin’: Coffee Shop 
• Starbucks (at the Sheraton): Coffee Shop 

BDL Airport Shops and Stores 

East Concourse: Gates 1-12 

• Cover 2 Cover: Bookstore 
• InMotion: Electronics Store 
• IShoppes: Duty-Free Kiosk 
• TravelMart: Convenience Store 

West Concourse: Gates 20-30 

• CNBC: Convenience Store 
• Airside Lobby (Post Security) 
• CNBC: Convenience Store
• Gineva Murano Glass Jewelry: Jewelry and Accessories 
• Hartford Prints!: Apparel Kiosk 
• IShoppes: Duty-Free Kiosk 
• IStore: Electronics Store 

Accessible Services

Bradley International Airport provides various assistance services for travelers. BDL offers whatever services and facilities are required by those in need of special care. The airport offers wheelchair assistance, restrooms, accessible shuttles, elevators, and a Commuter Carrier Lift. Passenger pickup and dropoff locations are also accessible. 

The airport also provides visual paging monitors and courtesy phones across the terminal. Volunteer Airport Ambassadors are available at the information desk (lower level) to help with visual pages, answer questions, and assist travelers. Website Accessibility Assistance is also available at the airport. 

Travelers who require special assistance must contact their airline for wheelchairs and other airline-related services. 

Lost and Found Items at BDL 

The airport offers Lost and Found service. And you must contact the relevant parties to retrieve your items. 

Airlines: For items left on the airline, you must contact the baggage Claim section of the airline. The contact info is available online 

TSA: To retrieve items lost in the security area, you must call the TSA’s lost and found service or fill out an online form available on the TSA website. The authorities will mail back the prohibited items confiscated from you for a charge of $29. For more information, check Flippit, or call 1-877-FLIPPIT. 

State Police: Things lost at the airport premises will be with the State Police. You may call them at +1-860-292-7400 to retrieve your items. 

Check-In Time at BDL

 

Bradley Airport is open 24/7, and the ticket counters typically open between 4 am and 5 pm. But, the hours may vary depending on the flight schedule. It would be a good idea to check with the airline. The airport has two checkpoints, and the average wait time is about 3-4 minutes. TSA suggests arriving at the airport three hours before the international flight and 90 minutes before the domestic flight. 

• Ticketing Check-In: Opens between 4 am and 5 pm. 
• TSA Security Checkpoint: Opens between 4:30 am and 5 am. 

TSA PreCheck 

BDL Airport has dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at the security checkpoint. Those enrolled in this program can forgo the long queues and get a quick screening process. 

• Location: Pre-check is available at the second TSA screening checkpoint, between the United Airlines ticket counter and the hallway leading to the Sheraton Hotel. 
• Hours: TSA PreCheck counters are open between 4:30 am and 5 am. 

CLEAR

BDL Airport has CLEAR Lanes for eligible travelers that offer a quick screening process. CLEAR Lanes are available at both security checkpoints. 

• CLEAR Lane (standard security) is open from 4:30 am to 7:30 pm from Sundays to Fridays and on Saturdays from 4:30 am to 7:00 pm. 
• The CLEAR Enrollment Center is at Terminal A and is open from 4:30 am to 7:30 pm from Sundays to Fridays, and on Saturday, it will be open from 4:30 am to 7 pm. 

Global Entry 

Global Entry is a traveler program for those eligible for membership in the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). The conditionally approved applicants must schedule an interview with the Global Enrollment Center for the interview. 

• Global Entry Enrollment Center Bradley International Airport is at Terminal B, International Arrivals Building, Monday to Friday between 8 am and 4 pm. 

Tourist Destinations near BDL

 

If you are in the area, these are a few popular attractions worth visiting: 

• New England Air Museum: at 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 
• Puzzle Theory – Escape Room: at 46 Kennedy Rd #1, South Windsor, CT 06074 
• Spare Time Entertainment: at 129 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 
• Connecticut Trolley Museum: at 58 N Rd #9606, East Windsor, CT 06088 
• Northwest Park: at 145 Lang Rd, Windsor, CT 06095 
• Talcott Mountain State Park: at Summit Ridge Dr, Simsbury, CT 06070 
• Broad Brook Brewing Company: at 915 South St, Suffield, CT 06078-2515 
• Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours LLC: at Mystic, Connecticut 
• Brignole Vineyards: at 103 Hartford Ave, East Granby, CT 06026 

BNA Airport FAQs

What airport is BDL? 

BDL is the IATA code for Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, between Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. BDL is the second largest and busiest airport in New England and serves the Greater Hartford area. 

Where is Bradley International Airport? 

Bradley International Airport, or BDL, is in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, located between Hartford in Connecticut and Springfield in Massachusetts. The airport’s address is  Schoephoester Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. 

What time does Bradley Airport open? 

Bradley Airport is open 24/7, and the ticket counters typically open between 4 am and 5 pm. However, the hours may vary depending on the flight schedule. It would be a good idea to check with the airline. 

What airlines fly into Bradley International Airport? 

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines are the airlines at Bradley Airport. 

Is Hartford Brainard Airport the same as Bradley International Airport? 

No, these airports are not the same. Hartford Brainard Airport (HFD) is a smaller regional airport three miles southeast of downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Bradley International Airport is a larger, major airport located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, serving both domestic and international flights.