WINDSOR LOCKS, CT—Bradley International Airport was recently recognized on the Condé Nast Traveler list of the best airports in the U.S., ranking 5th in the 2019 Readers’ Choice survey.
Condé Nast released its rankings in October, and the list gave Bradley its third consecutive vote of confidence from travelers. In 2018, the airport was ranked third.
The continued recognition comes after a successful two years for the second-busiest airport in New England. The number of flights and the number of passengers have been growing, a new transportation center is under construction and the airport’s bond rating was recently reaffirmed at an A.
“Bradley International Airport is a conveniently located, accessible option for travelers throughout the New England region and its value needs to be utilized in our efforts to drive growth and serve as a magnet for economic activity,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement Wednesday. “Over the last several years, many new improvements have been made at the airport to make it an even more convenient travel option, and we are determined to build on that success.”
Lamont recently released his 10-year transportation plan, CT2030, which recommends better access by rail to give regional residents more flight options. The transportation plan includes a study on two southern-Connecticut airports to develop additional flight options for Connecticut residents.
“Businesses want to be located where they can move goods and services easily and we must utilize our airports as a resource to grow jobs and increase business activity in Connecticut,” Lamont said.
The Condé Nast list gave Bradley positive reviews on its amenities, array of destinations and easy parking.
It also lists recognizes a feature that state officials have been working for years to promote, that Bradley is a viable alternative to flying from Boston or New York.
“We are thankful that the support of Bradley’s loyal, growing passenger base has once again earned us a spot in this prestigious list of top ten US airports,” said Kevin A. Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, which overseeds Bradley and four smaller regional airports. “This is now the third year in a row that we are recognized for our commitment to enhancing the travel experience at Bradley International Airport. We’re very proud of our efforts to make Bradley Airport the best it can be for our passengers, and we thank them for their vote of confidence.”
The ranking said of Bradley:
“More travelers are discovering Hartford, Connecticut’s airport—now New England’s second-busiest airfield after Boston Logan—thanks to a wide spate of flight choices, including Aer Lingus’s flights to Ireland and Spirit’s services to Florida. Customers praise the airport’s convenient on-site parking, plentiful charging stations and free Wi-Fi, decent restaurant options, and an overall relaxed atmosphere, making this mid-sized facility an attractive alternative to flying out of New York and Boston’s massive and congested hubs.”
Condé Nast said in its rankings that 600,000 votes contributed to the 2019 list, the 32nd annual ranking of airports.
The full rankings for 2019 are: 10) Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, 9) Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 8) Palm Beach International Airport, 7) Charleston International Airport, 6) Tampa International Airport, 5) Bradley International Airport, 4) Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, 3) Portland International Airport, 2) Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, 1) Indianapolis International Airport.