Translate
Maryland's busiest airport serving the Baltimore-Washington region.
Opened
1950
Location
Baltimore, United States
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is the primary commercial airport serving the Baltimore metropolitan area and a major gateway for the broader Washington, D.C. region. Renamed in 2005 to honor Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native, it is one of three major airports serving the nation's capital alongside Reagan National and Dulles International.
BWI is a significant hub for Southwest Airlines and handles tens of millions of passengers annually, consistently ranking among the busiest airports in the United States. The airport is operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration and sits in Anne Arundel County, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Baltimore.
The facility offers a broad mix of domestic and international routes, with connections to destinations across North America, Europe, and beyond. Its competitive pricing and accessible location have made it a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Terminals
BWI has a single terminal building divided into five concourses (A through E) connected by a central ticketing and baggage claim area.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include the MARC Penn Line commuter rail and Amtrak service from a dedicated BWI Rail Station, plus the Light RailLink, bus services, taxis, and ride-share connections.
Airlines here
Southwest Airlines uses BWI as a primary focus city and is the dominant carrier, alongside significant operations by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
Notable facts
- ›BWI was originally called Friendship International Airport when it opened in 1950.
- ›The airport was renamed in honor of Thurgood Marshall, Baltimore-born civil rights attorney and first African American Supreme Court Justice, in 2005.
- ›Southwest Airlines accounts for the majority of passenger traffic at BWI, making it one of the airline's most important markets.
- ›BWI is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, roughly 10 miles south of downtown Baltimore and about 30 miles from Washington, D.C.
- ›The airport handled over 26 million passengers in pre-pandemic 2019, ranking it among the top 20 busiest U.S. airports.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
