The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) is actively pursuing nonstop flight service from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks to London. This development coincides with Pratt & Whitney’s announcement in July 2026 at the Farnborough International Airshow that British Airways has selected Pratt’s geared turbofan (GTF) engines to power 33 Airbus A320neo aircraft, with an option for 30 more.
Bradley’s Current and Recent Routes Reflect Market Shifts
Bradley International Airport is Connecticut’s largest airport and currently operates a resumed European route to Dublin flown by Aer Lingus since March 2023 after a pandemic hiatus. Air Canada’s Toronto service restarted in June 2022 but has since been put on pause,
with no immediate plans for reinstatement. Low-cost carriers Avelo Airlines and Spirit Airlines have ceased operations at Bradley, with Avelo leaving at the start of 2026 and Spirit Airlines ending its Bradley-Montego Bay route in late spring 2023 before exiting the airport in October 2025.
On the domestic front, United Airlines launched a year-round route from Bradley to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport on May 22, 2026, and Breeze Airways started a seasonal route to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on May 29, 2026.
Trade and Industry Links Between Connecticut and the U.K.
Connecticut exported approximately $1.1 billion in goods to the United Kingdom in 2025, making the U.K.
the state’s sixth-largest export market. The state’s manufacturing sector, represented by companies like Pratt & Whitney, drives significant trade ties to the U.K. The Pratt & Whitney deal supporting British Airways’ acquisition of GTF engines coincides with efforts to expand Connecticut-London air connectivity.
Additionally, Connecticut’s insurance industry also supports demand for flights to London. The InsurTech Corridor, established in 2022 and sponsored by the MetroHartford Alliance, fosters growth between Connecticut and the U.K. W.R. Berkley, a Fortune 500 insurer headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, maintains London offices despite selling its London skyscraper in 2022.
Passenger Traffic and Service Outlook at Bradley
Bradley International handled roughly 2 million passengers
in the first four months of 2026, a decline of 3.5% compared to the same period the previous year. The drop is attributed largely to the exits of Avelo Airlines and Spirit Airlines, according to CAA officials. Despite these reductions, CAA anticipates a gradual recovery in passenger numbers as other carriers increase service.
CAA stated that they continue discussions with existing airlines and those not currently operating at Bradley but could not disclose details about potential new route partners. The airport authority also noted economic and geopolitical conditions present challenges to securing new international routes at this time.
Official Statements on Route Development and Engine Deals
CAA officials
said, “The CAA is continuing to actively pursue nonstop service to London, as well as a number of other major international and domestic destinations.” They acknowledged securing new international routes is difficult given current global conditions and that negotiations are ongoing without further disclosures.
Rick Deurloo, Pratt & Whitney’s president of commercial engines, described British Airways’ selection of the GTF engines as a “pivotal moment and a strong vote of confidence.” He added that the engines will help British Airways expand its international fleet and improve passenger experience.
Gene Goddard, chief business investment officer of the MetroHartford Alliance, highlighted the
InsurTech Corridor’s impact on industry growth, saying, “The InsurTech Corridor companies are finding the ecosystem that they need to grow in the U.S., here in Hartford and throughout the state.”
