The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) is actively pursuing nonstop flight service from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks to London, following Pratt & Whitney’s announcement of deals with British Airways at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026. Pratt & Whitney, a Connecticut-based jet-engine manufacturer, revealed British Airways’ selection of its GTF engines for 33 Airbus A320neo aircraft, with an option for 30 more.
Bradley International Airport, Connecticut’s largest airport, currently has limited European service. Aer Lingus resumed flights to Dublin in March 2023 after a three-year COVID-19 hiatus. British Airways operates from London Heathrow to New York’s JFK, Newark
Liberty, and Boston Logan airports but does not offer flights from Bradley. The CAA aims to establish a direct London route to deepen Connecticut’s connections with one of its largest trade partners.
Recent and Current Routes at Bradley
Bradley’s international service faces challenges after low-cost carriers exited recently. Avelo Airlines ceased operations at Bradley in early 2026 after flying to Cancún, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana. Spirit Airlines left in October 2025, ending the Bradley-Montego Bay route by late spring 2026 due to low ticket sales. Air Canada resumed the Bradley to Toronto route in June 2022 but later suspended it again.
Domestic service at Bradley
has grown. United Airlines started year-round flights to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport on May 22, 2026. Breeze Airways launched a seasonal route to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on May 29, 2026. In the first four months of 2026, Bradley handled about 2 million passengers, a 3.5% decrease year over year, mainly due to the departure of Avelo and Spirit.
Economic Links Between Connecticut and the UK
Connecticut exported approximately $1.1 billion in goods to the UK in 2025, making the UK the state’s sixth-largest export destination. The state’s manufacturing sector significantly contributes to this trade. The recent Pratt & Whitney engine deals with British Airways
highlight the aviation manufacturing connection. Additionally, the growth of the insurance sector supports passenger demand for a Bradley-London flight.
The InsurTech Corridor, established in 2022 and sponsored by the MetroHartford Alliance, facilitates expansion between Connecticut and the UK insurance industries. Gene Goddard, MetroHartford Alliance Chief Business Investment Officer, said the corridor’s companies are finding the ecosystem needed to grow throughout Connecticut.
CAA Statements on Route Expansion Challenges
CAA officials acknowledged the difficulties of securing new international routes amid current economic and geopolitical conditions. They stated, “The CAA is continuing to actively pursue nonstop service to London, as well as a number of other major international and
domestic destinations.” The authority regularly engages with existing and potential airline partners but cannot disclose details until negotiations are complete.
The CAA believes passenger traffic lost after the exit of ultra-low-cost carriers will eventually be recovered as other airlines increase service, although this expansion will be gradual. The officials also noted that nonstop U.S.-Canada service faces unique challenges and that no immediate plans exist to resume Air Canada flights from Bradley to Toronto.
Rick Deurloo, Pratt & Whitney president of commercial engines, emphasized British Airways’ order as “a strong vote of confidence” in GTF engines, which are the most fuel-efficient
option for the Airbus A320neo fleet and will support the airline’s international expansion goals.
