Bradley International Airport (BDL) — Connecticut's Commercial Aviation Gateway
Bradley International Airport, IATA code BDL and FAA identifier BDL, is Connecticut's largest and busiest commercial airport, serving more than 6 million passengers annually in peak years. Located in Windsor Locks — midway between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts — BDL is operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority and functions as the primary commercial hub for all of Connecticut and western Massachusetts. Named after Lt. Eugene Bradley, a Connecticut pilot killed in a training accident in 1941, the airport has evolved from its World War II military origins into a modern commercial facility featuring two parallel runways (6,847 and 9,510 feet), an international terminal, and a comprehensive array of airline services. Major carriers including Delta, American, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and numerous international airlines operate scheduled service from BDL.
BDL's strategic location within the FAA New England Region's airspace places it under Boston Center (ZBW) enroute control and serves as a significant traffic generator for the Hartford TRACON. The airport handles not only commercial passenger flights but also substantial air cargo operations, with FedEx and UPS maintaining overnight sorting facilities at BDL. Its proximity to the Massachusetts state line makes BDL the preferred commercial airport for Springfield, Holyoke, and the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, significantly expanding its catchment area beyond Connecticut's borders. The Connecticut Airport Authority has invested in terminal modernization, parking structures, and airfield improvements in recent years, and BDL competes actively with Boston Logan (BOS) and the New York area airports for New England market share.
What airlines fly out of Bradley International Airport (BDL)?
BDL is served by American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, Air Canada, and various international and regional carriers. Nonstop destinations include major hubs (ATL, CLT, ORD, MIA, BOS, JFK, LAX) and seasonal leisure markets in Florida, the Caribbean, and Europe.
How many runways does BDL have?
BDL has two parallel paved runways: Runway 06/24 at 6,847 feet and Runway 15/33 at 9,510 feet. The longer runway accommodates wide-body aircraft including the Boeing 767 used on transatlantic routes.
Who operates Bradley International Airport?
The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) operates BDL along with Connecticut's five general aviation airports. The CAA was established in 2011 to assume operational and financial responsibility from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Does BDL offer international flights?
Yes. BDL operates international flights primarily to Canadian cities and transatlantic charter destinations. The airport has U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities for international arrivals.
What ground transportation is available at BDL?
BDL is served by rental cars, taxi and rideshare services, the CTtransit Bradley Flyer bus route to Hartford, and the Connecticut Airport Authority's intermodal transportation center with direct terminal access.
Bradley International Airport - BDL Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
| Name | Bradley International Airport - BDL |
| Address | 126 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks CT 06096 Map |
| Phone | (860) 292-2000 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Bradley International Airport - BDL
Airports in near by County
Airports near Windsor Locks
Getting to and from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks
Bradley International Airport is located at 334 Ella Grasso Turnpike in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, approximately 12 miles north of Hartford's city center. The airport is accessible from I-91 via Exit 40 and from I-91 and Route 75. Connecticut's Bradley Flyer bus service connects BDL to Hartford Union Station, where Amtrak and Shore Line East rail connections are available for travel throughout the Northeast Corridor. Car rental facilities are consolidated at BDL's intermodal center, which is connected to the terminal by shuttle. The Connecticut Airport Authority maintains a real-time parking and terminal status website that helps travelers plan their arrivals efficiently.
For general aviation pilots seeking to use BDL, prior permission and coordination with BDL ground operations is required, as the airport prioritizes commercial airline traffic. GA aircraft are generally directed to Hartford-Brainard Airport (HFD) in Hartford or Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport across the Massachusetts border for general aviation activity. BDL's role as Connecticut's commercial aviation spine makes it essential for international travelers, frequent business fliers on major routes, and leisure travelers seeking the airline choices and competitive fares that Bradley offers compared to the more limited options at smaller regional airports in the Northeast.