Bradley International Is A Top-10 Airport for 7th Consecutive Year; CT Airport Authority Celebrates 10 Years

Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, with Bradley International Airport recognized as a top-ten airport for the seventh consecutive year.

More than 520,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to offer a comprehensive look at the places they eagerly anticipate revisiting. Bradley sustained its high marks in a year that saw travelers return in larger numbers as COVID concerns generally lessened from the peak of the pandemic.

The Readers’ Choice Awards, with their unparalleled legacy as the travel industry’s longest-running and most prestigious accolades, remain the ultimate symbol and acknowledgment of excellence within the travel sector, airport officials explained.

“We are honored to once again be recognized nationally as one of the best airports in the country,” said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “This award acknowledges the hard work of our entire airport community, and we are grateful to our growing and dedicated passengers for their continued support.”

The top 10 were Savannah/Hilton Head International, Indianapolis International, Rhode Island T.F. Green International, Palm Beach International, Tampa International, Bradley International, Minneapolis St. Paul, Long Beach Airport, Portland (Oregon) International, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

This year’s recognition, with BDL ranking sixth, coincides with the airport’s ongoing improvements, including the commencement of construction for a major upgrade to the checked baggage screening process and passenger circulation within the main terminal.

The airport also recently opened its first Starbucks, with more retail and dining enhancements scheduled in the coming months. Bradley has also introduced CLEAR screening, which provides expedited security screening and a rebranded parking product, BDL sPARK, which reinforces Bradley International Airport’s “commitment to offering convenient, safe, and affordable parking.”

BDL also has announced that Aer Lingus has extended the schedule for its popular nonstop service from Bradley International Airport to Dublin, Ireland, beyond the summer season, making it an almost year-round service. The Irish flag carrier relaunched operations from Bradley to Dublin Airport earlier this year.  The Bradley International to Dublin route offers customers seamless connections to up to 28 key UK and European airports, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Prague, and more.

“The route is Bradley’s only direct service to Europe and continues to perform well, reflecting Aer Lingus’ ability to connect North American customers not only with Ireland, but onwards to Europe,” pointed out Reid Moody, Aer Lingus’ Chief Strategy and Planning Officer.

The Connecticut Airport Authority, which operates Bradley International and other airports in Connecticut, is celebrating 10 years of “nonstop transformation, innovation and growth.” In addition to BDL, the CAA operates Hartford-Brainard, Danielson Airport, Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Windham Airport, and Groton-New London Airport.

Since 2013, there has been a 35% increase in nonstops and transatlantic and transcontinental services have been re-established.  Officials also note that more than $375 million worth of projects have been completed to streamline and enhance the travel experience, including runway improvements and the development of new facilities.