Key Highlights
Here is a fast look at what you will see in our Birmingham travel guide.
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Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is the largest airport in Alabama. It is run by the Birmingham Airport Authority.
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Main terminal has big airlines, like American Airlines and Delta.
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The airport has nonstop flights to 20 places in 17 cities.
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You can get details on parking, car rentals, and other types of transportation on the lower level.
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There is information about the airport’s past and how it keeps getting better with new updates.
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You will find where to eat, shop, and all the things you can do at Birmingham Airport (BHM).
Introduction
Welcome to your simple guide for getting around Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM). BHM is the biggest airport in Alabama and is very important for travelers who come here for work or fun. You might be a local who is getting ready for a trip, or you could be new to our busy city. This easy-to-read guide will help you with all you need to know. You will learn about how to get there, which airlines fly out, and what things you can use at birmingham airport. This way, your time at the airport in Birmingham, Alabama will be easy and not full of worry.
Overview of Birmingham Airports
If you fly into Birmingham, you will probably land at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM). This is the main airport in the city. It has many flights and services. These help you get to spots all over the country. The airport is just four miles away from downtown, which makes it easy to get to.
This guide is all about BHM. But it is good to know about other, smaller airports near Birmingham, too. These serve general flights. Keep reading to find out more about BHM and the other airports around Birmingham.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, known by the FAA as BHM, is a public airport that the Birmingham Airport Authority manages. It is the main airport for people in central Alabama. The main terminal at this airport is modern and simple for everyone to use. The airport is able to handle over 100 flights every day, so it is always ready for many people to travel in and out.
If you are thinking about what airlines fly from BHM, you will see you have some good options. There are five top airlines at this airport. These include American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United. This means you can get to many places in the U.S. with no problem. The choices are good for those who need to travel for work or want to take a trip for fun.
The airport has been built to make things quick and comfortable, from when you check in to when you walk to your gate. The airport authority in Birmingham keeps things running at all times. With the help of Birmingham Airport Authority, you can expect your travel from Birmingham to be simple and smooth each time you use this airport.
Other Airports Serving the Birmingham Area
Yes, there are more airports near Birmingham besides the main one, BHM. While BHM is the top airport for travelers, the Birmingham area also has some smaller ones. These airports mostly help with general and private flights. Each one adds to the area’s aviation network.
These smaller airports have different runway sizes built for small planes. They are important for flight training, private flights, and for corporate use. The airport authority helps make sure all these airports work well together in the region.
Some other airports you can find around here are:
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Bessemer National Airport (KEKY)
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Shelby County Airport (KEET)
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St Clair County Airport (KPLR)
The History of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has a long history that shows how flying in the United States has grown. In the beginning, the airport started small but got bigger as more people wanted to travel. Over the years, the airport grew and made many changes, like adding new flight routes as late as November 2024.
The story of Birmingham airport is all about getting better over time. It began with its first runway and grew into the modern place you see now. In the next parts, you will learn more about how the airport grew and the most recent upgrades.
Early Development and Growth
The history of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport started in April 1940 when it first opened. At that time, the airport had a basic runway and simple terminal buildings. These early facilities were small compared to what you see now, but they were important for travel back then. Birmingham became a key spot for people and goods to move in and out of the area.
As time went on, the number of people flying kept going up. This made the airport grow much bigger. The main terminal got built and was made better step by step. These changes let more people use the airport and enjoy better services. The FAA kept an eye on things, making sure the airport followed all the rules for running a safe place.
During this growth, the main runway was made longer and stronger. This helped the airport handle bigger and faster planes. These updates were important to the airport’s story. Today, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is a busy spot for the Southeast, serving millions of people every year and connecting them to many places.
Recent Expansions and Modernization
BHM is always working to be better for people who travel. One big step is the Parking Modernization Plan, which costs about $50 million. This plan will add a new parking guidance system. It will help make leaving the parking lot faster by using a new money control system. The Economy Parking Lot will get bigger too. All of these changes are to make things easier for travelers.
We do not have the reviews from travelers, but these steps show that BHM wants to make the journey better for everyone. Airlines like Delta, which have many flights, get real help from the airport’s good runway and the new updates. The runway and all important faa information will stay up to date at least through December 2025. This proves BHM is ready and meeting the new rules.
These new changes show that BHM cares about what people need and looks to the future. Because BHM focuses on better buildings and technology, it can stay one of the best and easiest places to fly from.
Getting to and from Birmingham Airport
Getting to and from Birmingham Airport is simple. The airport is only a few miles away from downtown Birmingham. You can get there with ease. When you use your car or a ride-sharing service, you will see clear signs that show you where to go for the main terminal. These signs will help you find the right area for arrivals and departures in Birmingham.
You can also find ground transportation options at the airport. There are car rentals and taxis waiting on the lower level of the parking deck. It is just a short walk from baggage claim to these services. You can read more below to learn about your ways to get to and from Birmingham Airport.
Transportation Options from Downtown Birmingham
If you need to get to Birmingham Airport from downtown, you have several options. The airport is only four miles away, making for a quick and easy trip by car. You can use a ridesharing app or call a local taxi service for a direct ride to the terminal. This is often the most convenient choice for travelers with luggage.
Planning your travel from BHM is just as easy, with major airlines connecting you to key hubs like Dallas and Atlanta. Knowing which airlines fly where can help you plan your entire journey, starting from your trip from downtown Birmingham.
The airlines at BHM provide a wide network of travel transportation options for your onward journey. Here are some of the major airlines and the key hubs they serve nonstop from Birmingham:
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Airline |
Key Nonstop Destination Hubs |
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American Airlines |
Dallas (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Miami (MIA) |
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Delta |
Atlanta (ATL), New York (LGA) |
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Southwest Airlines |
Dallas (DAL), Denver (DEN), Nashville (BNA) |
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United Airlines |
Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH) |
Car Rentals, Ridesharing, and Taxis
When you get to Birmingham Airport, finding a ride is easy. The airport has a few big car rental companies. You can rent a car and see the city or go to other places when you want. The rental car desks are in the baggage claim area, down on the lower level.
The Birmingham Airport Authority has set up special places for rideshare and taxi pickups. This helps keep traffic moving and makes sure everyone is safe. These zones are on the lower level and are marked well, so you can find them once you have your bags.
Here’s a quick summary of your options:
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Rental Cars: Pick up your pre-booked vehicle from companies like Hertz.
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Taxis: Available at designated stands outside the lower level.
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Ridesharing: Use apps like Uber and Lyft with pickups in a dedicated zone.
Airlines and Destinations at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, or BHM, helps you get to many places in the nation. It offers flights to great spots with big airlines like American Airlines and Delta. These carriers have daily flights to their main hubs. This makes it easy to reach other cities, whether you want to fly to Dallas for work or another city for fun.
The airport has a helpful flight schedule and a lot of places to visit. So, it is a good place to start your trip. Below, you can see the main airlines that fly from BHM and some fun places you can go to without stopping.
Major Airlines Operating at the Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is proud to partner with several of the nation’s leading airlines. These carriers provide reliable service and connect you to a vast network of destinations. The primary airlines you can fly from BHM include American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United.
Each airline offers a unique set of routes and services. For example, American Airlines provides excellent connectivity through its hubs in Charlotte and Dallas, while Delta is a great choice for flights to Atlanta and New York. Southwest and United also offer numerous nonstop flights to popular cities across the country.
This variety of carriers ensures you can find competitive fares and convenient schedules for your travel needs. Here is a breakdown of the airlines serving BHM and some of their nonstop destinations:
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Airline |
Sample Nonstop Destinations |
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American Airlines |
Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA) |
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Delta |
Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), New York (LGA) |
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Southwest Airlines |
Baltimore (BWI), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (MCO) |
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United Airlines |
Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH) |
Domestic and International Flight Destinations
From BHM, you can take a nonstop flight to 20 airports in 17 cities in the U.S. This makes it easy for people to travel in the country. If you have to be at a meeting in Dallas or want a trip to Orlando, you can fly there direct from BHM. These nonstop routes help you save time, and you do not have to deal with the stress of connecting flights.
BHM is an international airport, and it has customs landing rights. Even so, right now, the airport’s main service for passengers is to fly to U.S. cities. If you want to travel to places outside the country, you can do it with just one stop. Hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, or Miami will help you reach many world cities.
Some top nonstop routes from BHM are these:
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Flights to big cities like Dallas (DFW & DAL) and Atlanta (ATL).
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You can travel in different times of the year to popular places like Las Vegas and Tampa.
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The airport also adds new routes. For example, a nonstop flight to Phoenix will start this fall.
Facilities and Traveler Amenities
The main terminal at Birmingham Airport is made to help you feel comfortable and make things easy. When you walk in, you will see a clean and new space with lots of things to do while you wait. The main terminal has two floors. The upper level is for ticketing and when you need to leave. The lower level is for when you arrive and need to get your bags.
If you want something to eat, need to charge your phone, or do a little last-minute shopping, you can find all of that at BHM. The next sections tell you more about the food, shopping, and other things you can use in the airport.
Dining, Shopping, and Passenger Services
The main terminal at Birmingham Airport (BHM) has a lot to offer to make your travel better. If you are hungry, there are many places to eat. You can grab a coffee at Starbucks. For a fast meal, there is Chick-fil-A or Burger King. If you want to sit down and have a nice meal, you can try Red Mountain Grill. There is something for every taste here.
You can also find stores that have travel items, gifts, or things to bring home. Birmingham Airport cares about your comfort, so you will see new spaces where you can relax or get some work done before your flight. You will also notice art and things from Birmingham all over the main terminal.
Here are some of the main things you get at BHM:
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Dining: Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, The Great American Bagel, and many more.
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Shopping: Different stores with what you need for your trip.
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Comfort: New spaces and free Wi-Fi so you can stay in touch.
Parking Options and Terminal Accessibility
Finding a parking spot at BHM is simple. There are a few options to fit what you want and how much you want to spend. The airport has a big parking deck right across from the terminal. You can choose between hourly or daily rates here. This is the best choice if you want to get into the terminal fast.
The Birmingham Airport Authority gives you another option with their valet parking, which is the easiest way to park your car. There is also a free cell phone lot if you need to wait for someone coming in on a flight. The airport authority is working on making parking even better. There will be a bigger Economy Lot soon, and a new parking guidance system is coming. Every kind of ground transportation and the parking deck are on the lower level of the terminal.
Here are your main choices for parking:
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Parking Deck: It is $2 for every hour, but not more than $26 in one day. You can also park all day for $17.
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Valet Parking: Park with help for $19.95 each day.
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Cell Phone Lot: Wait here for free if you are picking up a person.
Conclusion
To sum up, knowing about Birmingham Airports will really help with your travel plans. You now know about Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, its history, and the many airlines and places you can fly to. This is a complete birmingham guide for you. When you get to know the ways to get around and what you can use at the airport, your trip can be a lot easier and more fun. It does not matter if you live in birmingham or are just stopping by. You should check out everything Birmingham Airports have for people. When you get ready for your next trip, think about all the things and help that will keep you happy while there. If you ever have a question or need help for your own travel plans, please ask for support.