Tweed (HVN) or Bradley (BDL)? Which Airport Should You Fly From New Haven?

Short answer: If you live in or near New Haven, Tweed–New Haven Airport (HVN) is the easy choice when one of its nonstop routes goes where you're headed. It's about 4 miles from downtown New Haven, the terminal is small, and the drive takes minutes. Choose Bradley International (BDL) in Windsor Locks, roughly 50 miles north, when you need a major airline, a connection through a big hub, an international nonstop, or more flight times to pick from. Booking a chauffeur? Absolute Transportation is based in North Haven and drives to both airports 24/7. See our Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) car service page or call (203) 938-0000.

Tweed vs Bradley at a glance

Tweed–New Haven (HVN) Bradley International (BDL)
Distance from downtown New Haven about 4 miles about 50 miles north (Windsor Locks)
Airlines Avelo and Breeze Aer Lingus, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, United
Kind of flights 30+ nonstop routes, mostly Florida, the Southeast, Puerto Rico and a few Midwest/Texas cities Nonstops plus connections through major hubs, and a nonstop to Dublin
Parking Limited; lots fill on weekends and holidays, reserve ahead Large garage and surface lots with shuttles
Best for Leisure trips where an HVN nonstop matches your destination Business travel, connections, international trips, more schedule choice

Airline and route lists change often. Always check flytweed.com and bradleyairport.com before you book.

When does Tweed make the most sense?

Tweed is the closest airport to New Haven and the Yale campus. Since Avelo and Breeze added service, the airport lists more than 30 nonstop destinations, including Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Charleston, Nashville, Raleigh-Durham, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Juan. Avelo has announced a new nonstop to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico starting November 19.

Pick Tweed when:

  • Your destination is on the HVN route map. A nonstop from 10 minutes away usually beats an hour-long drive to Bradley.
  • You're traveling light or with family on a leisure trip. Short walk from curb to check-in, and short drive home when you land tired.
  • You want to skip the I-91 drive. No Hartford traffic, no winter-weather drive up the highway.

Things to know:

  • Both airlines are low-cost carriers. Bags and seat selection are usually extra, and many routes don't fly every day. Avelo, for example, notes that its New Haven flights run on a weekly schedule.
  • Parking is limited. Tweed says its lots can fill, especially on weekends and holidays, and recommends reserving in advance; an off-site park-and-ride at Long Wharf Garage is used when on-site lots are full.
  • Don't confuse small with instant. Tweed says wait times are much shorter than at large hubs, but Avelo still recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before a domestic departure, and its bag-drop counter closes 40 minutes before departure.

When is Bradley the better choice?

Bradley is about an hour up I-91 from New Haven in normal traffic, but it opens up far more of the map:

  • Major airlines and hub connections. American, Delta and United fly nonstop to their hubs (such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, Houston and Washington), so almost anywhere is one stop away.
  • International. Aer Lingus flies nonstop to Dublin, and connecting itineraries through the hubs reach the rest of the world.
  • Frequent-flyer status and corporate travel. Business travelers who need a specific airline, loyalty program or corporate booking tool usually end up at Bradley. Yale's travel office notes that Avelo and Breeze don't participate in the systems travel management companies use.
  • More flight times. If you need a specific morning or evening flight, Bradley's larger schedule gives you more choices.

All Bradley airlines check in at Terminal A, so that's where your driver drops you for departures. Plan on being at the counter at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one; our guide to how early to leave for Bradley from New Haven County walks through the timing.

What about JFK, LaGuardia and Newark?

For long-haul international trips or a route neither Connecticut airport flies, the New York airports are the next step, about 75 to 95 miles from New Haven. We compare them in JFK vs LaGuardia vs Newark from Connecticut.

A quick way to decide

  1. Search your trip from HVN first. If Avelo or Breeze flies nonstop on your dates at a time that works, Tweed usually wins on door-to-door time.
  2. If not, compare Bradley's best option (nonstop or one-stop on a major airline) against the New York airports.
  3. Count the ground trip both ways. A cheaper fare from a farther airport can disappear once you add parking, an hour-plus drive each way, and a late-night return.
  4. Think about the return. Late arrivals, delays and winter weather are easier when someone is already tracking your flight and waiting for you.

How Absolute handles Tweed and Bradley rides

  • Based nearby. Our base at 341 Washington Avenue in North Haven is close to Tweed, so HVN runs are some of the shortest trips we do.
  • Flight tracking. Give us your airline and flight number and we track arrivals in real time, so an early or late landing moves your pickup automatically.
  • Pickups at the most convenient spot. Your chauffeur confirms the meeting point by text.
  • Right-size the vehicle. Executive sedan for up to 4, SUV such as a Cadillac Escalade or Chevy Suburban for up to 6, and a Sprinter van for larger groups and their luggage. Tell us your bag count when you book.
  • Tolls included in your quote, and dispatch runs 24/7 for early departures and late returns.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tweed or Bradley closer to New Haven? Tweed. It's about 4 miles from downtown New Haven. Bradley is in Windsor Locks, about 50 miles north.

Which airlines fly out of Tweed New Haven Airport? Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways, with more than 30 nonstop destinations listed by the airport. Check flytweed.com for the current list.

Does Tweed have international flights? Tweed's nonstops are domestic plus Puerto Rico (San Juan, and Aguadilla starting November 19). For international destinations, most New Haven travelers use Bradley or the New York airports.

How early should I get to Tweed for a flight? Avelo recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before a domestic departure. Lines are usually shorter than at big airports, but bag-drop counters close 40 minutes before departure, so don't cut it close.

Is parking hard at Tweed? It can be. Tweed says its lots fill up, especially on weekends and holidays, and recommends reserving ahead. A car service avoids the parking question entirely.

Do you offer car service to both Tweed and Bradley? Yes. Absolute Transportation drives to and from Tweed (HVN) and Bradley (BDL) 24/7 from New Haven County and towns across Connecticut, and on to New York.

How much is a car service to Tweed or Bradley? It depends on your pickup address, time, vehicle and stops. Call (203) 938-0000 or request a quote from our Tweed New Haven Airport car service page.

About Absolute Transportation

Absolute Transportation is a licensed Connecticut livery company based at 341 Washington Avenue in North Haven (USDOT 1567094, CT livery permit 3117, NYC TLC licensed). We run a black fleet of executive sedans, Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Suburban SUVs, Sprinter vans and stretch limousines for airport transfers across Connecticut and the Northeast.

Flying out of Tweed or Bradley soon? Visit our Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) car service page or call (203) 938-0000.

Absolute Transportation