Baltimore Washington International Airport Departures (BWI)

The Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is named after a Baltimore native who was the first American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. The airport is one of the largest in the country for passenger traffic, and is also considered as the 47th busiest in the world for aircraft movements. It is known by its IATA code of BWI (Baltimore-Washington International) and is located between the two cities of Baltimore and Washington, although much closer to Baltimore. Departure flights are offered by several well-known airline companies, and a wide variety of destinations are available. Departing passengers will also find all the facilities they require within the airport’s terminal buildings.

BWI is a focus city for Cape Air and Southwest Airlines, and flights offered by these two airline companies travel to Hagerstown, Lancaster, Atlanta, Boston, Charleston, Chicago (Midway Airport), New York (LaGuardia Airport), Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Seattle/Tacoma, Phoenix and a wide variety of other cities in the United States. Southwest Airlines is present at the Concourses A and B of the airport, which have now been joined by renovations that took place in 2005. The concourses have a total of twenty-six departure gates, referred to as A1 to A11 and B1 to B15.

Further domestic flights depart from Concourses C and D, by the airline companies American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. Terminal D is also home to all airlines of United Express, for example, Chautaugua Airlines, Colgan Air, CommutAir, ExpressJet and GoJet Airlines, as well as US Airways Express airlines, such as Air Wisconsin, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines and Republic Airlines. Delta Connection airlines are found in Concourse D as well, for example, Comair, Compass Airlines and Pinnacle Airlines. The busiest domestic routes served by BWI are to Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Orlando, Detroit, Tampa, Denver, Providence, Fort Lauderdale and Manchester (NH). Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Newark, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Salt Lake City are other popular destinations. In total, there are 65 non-stop domestic destinations served.

Concourse E, with six gates, is officially known as the Governor William Donald Schaefer International Terminal, and is used for all international operations at BWI. Charter airlines are also present at this concourse, such as North American Airlines, Omni Air International, Ryan International Airlines and World Airways. The main airline companies at Concourse E include Bahamasair, British Airways, Condor Flugdienst, Air Canada Express, AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines, and their flights leave for Toronto in Canada, Cancun and Punta Cana in Mexico, Freeport, London, and Frankfurt in Germany. In 2011, the airport handled 22.3 million passengers, which was one of its busiest years yet, and is now rated as 23rd in the country for passenger traffic. There are approximately 757 flights handled per day, and approximately 61,000 passengers pass through the airport’s concourses on a daily basis.

BWI Airport is located 10 miles south of Baltimore and 32 miles northeast of Washington, D.C and is an airport in the state of Maryland. Main roads provide excellent access to the airport, and several parking areas are available. Departing passengers can use the Hourly Garage, the Daily Garage, the Express Parking lot or the Long-Term car park. Alternatively, public trains and buses operated by the MTA (Maryland Transit Administration) are available from a large number of locations in the city, and are the most cost-effective way to travel to the airport. Public buses are also operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and many private shuttle services are available, for example the Bayrunner Shuttle, Howard Transit, The Airport Shuttle and SuperShuttle. Convenient, as well, is a taxi.

Passengers on Baltimore-Washington International Airport departures have access to only the highest levels of security to ensure a safe travel by all. Throughout most of the airport, AIT devices are now used, which are highly advanced screening tools used to detect metallic and non-metallic threats, for example, weapons and explosives. AIT is the abbreviation for Advanced Imaging Technology, and requires the passenger to walk through an imaging portal. When inside, they will be asked to stand in various positions, and to stay still for a few moments while they are being scanned. The passengers will then exit on the other side. The AIT are not compulsory for passengers to use, they may also receive a pat-down and other forms of security checks.

When departing from Baltimore-Washington Airport ensure that you have all the documents necessary for travel. A boarding pass will be required, as well as a valid form of identification. When travelling internationally, passengers will require a passport. There are various check-in options available at the airport. There are conventional counters, as well self-service kiosks in the airport buildings. Passengers may also be able to check-in online. Remember to put as many of your liquid items in hold luggage as possible, because if in hand luggage, they will need to be passed by security. They should comply with the new regulations surrounding the carrying of liquids onboard an aircraft.

Departing passengers are recommended to arrive early for their flight, leaving time to enjoy their airport experience. There are many shops and restaurants in the concourses, as well as all other facilities that may be required, such as ATMs, banking services, free Wi-Fi internet connection, Lost and Found offices and information counters. Passengers with a little time to spare can also enjoy a visit to the Benson Hammond House, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, or relax in the meditation room on the upper level between Concourses D and E. There is also a tribute to Thurgood Marshall, which is an interesting exhibit.

Live Baltimore-Washington International Airport departures can be viewed online, or the airport can be contacted for further information.