By 1959, with jet aircraft like the Boeing 707 unable to operate from DCA and IAD not yet open, Friendship International became the region’s main jet airport. The runway was extended in the early 1960s to accommodate all commercial jets of that era.
Ownership changed in the early 1970s when the Maryland Department of Transportation purchased the airport from Baltimore City. In late 1973 it was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Airport and underwent major upgrades including new runways and cargo terminals.
Transatlantic flights began in 1981 with World Airways flying to Europe. Other international carriers soon followed; destinations included Frankfurt (FRA), London Gatwick (LGW), Reykjavík (KEF), Stockholm (BGO), Dublin (DUB), and Toronto Pearson (YYZ). The arrival of Southwest Airlines in 1993 marked a shift toward low-cost operations at BWI.
Recent years have seen ongoing modernization at BWI. Concourses A and B were expanded to support Southwest’s growth. In 2018 another five-gate expansion took place at Terminal A. The latest renovation included restroom upgrades across Concourses B, C, and D; improvements to parking facilities; shuttle enhancements; an expanded connection between Concourses A and B; and updates to baggage handling systems—a project valued at over $400 million.
These investments have helped maintain international connectivity with airlines such as PLAY airlines, Icelandair, Copa Airlines resuming or continuing service. However, some carriers—including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, Condor, Contour Airlines and JetBlue—have recently ceased operations at BWI starting in 2024.
Southwest Airlines is now the largest operator at BWI with nearly 75 destinations including Atlanta (ATL), Orlando (MCO), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), St. Louis (STL) among others. Spirit Airlines serves over fifteen nonstop domestic routes while Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines provide regular services to their respective hubs.
Internationally BWI offers nonstops via Icelandair to Keflavík Airport (KEF); British Airways to London Heathrow International Airport (LHR); Condor to Frankfurt Airport (FRA); Copa Airlines; BermudAir; and Contour Airlines also fly internationally from BWI.
Compared with DCA—which is closest to downtown DC but subject to perimeter rules limiting long-haul flights—and IAD—which serves as United’s primary international hub about twenty-five miles west of downtown—BWI distinguishes itself through affordability driven by low-cost carriers like Southwest and Spirit. Lower fares are common on many routes compared with other area airports.
Accessibility is another advantage: MARC commuter rail and Amtrak connect directly to BWI making it convenient for travelers from Baltimore or Washington as well as other parts of the Northeast corridor.
While IAD may offer more long-haul international options overall due its size and airline partnerships https://www.flydulles.com/, many leisure travelers find that BWI provides sufficient transatlantic service—especially during peak seasons—and more affordable options for domestic travel https://bwiairport.com/.
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