Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Guide For Travellers
When you are traveling to and from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.
Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.
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A Brief Overview of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama, USA
Situated at a distance of about 8 km (5 miles) northeast of downtown Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama’s Jefferson County, lies its largest and busiest airport called the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
Erstwhile, the airport was called Birmingham Municipal Airport, which was later changed and is also locally called the Birmingham International Airport. Furthermore, the airport also has its name attached to Fred Shuttlesworth, who was a renowned civil activist, founder of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, co-founder of Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and a Reverend.
IATA: BHM
Address:
5900 Messer Airport Highway
Birmingham, Alabama (AL) 35212
USA
Airport Contact:+1 (205) 595-0533
Website: https://www.flybirmingham.com
Operation Hours: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain shops, food concessions, on-site accommodation, and public and private transport services may not offer services throughout day and night. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may vary with the flight schedule. Therefore, it is advised that you check with the airport.
About Airport’s Terminal
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has a single, main terminal that consists of upper and lower levels and three concourses, which are Concourses A (Gates A1-A8), B (Gates B1-B5), and C (Gates C1-C6), respectively.
Travelers can easily find various amenities, such as information desks, lounges, ATMs, conference rooms for business travelers, newsagent, courtesy telephones, restaurants, restrooms, facilities for handicap passengers, retail shopping outlets, ticket counters, baggage claim, and locker facilities, gift shops, transportation, car park and more at the airport.
On-site and Off-site Parking Options
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options to travelers. Parking is available at the terminal. One can choose from on-site parking options, off-site car parks, and garages that are located in the nearest proximity to the airport. These consist of short-term and long-term parking.
Cell Phone Waiting Lot: The airport offers a free cell phone waiting lot to persons waiting for arriving passengers. There is also a digital flight display at the lot so that person waiting can see the arrival time of flights for the sake of convenience.
Valet Parking: Valet Parking service is also available at the airport. You also receive complimentary services, such as window cleaning and interior vacuuming, and luggage assistance.
Free parking at the airport is only offered for a limited period.
Airlines Operating from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport serves only a few regional, government, military, and cargo airlines. Airlines that operate short and long-distance flights to and from the airport’s terminal include:
American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Airlines, Delta Connection, Southwest Airlines, and United Express.
Facilities and Services Available at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in the U.S. state of Alabama offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport also offers a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.
Security Check-points
There are security checkpoints at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security checkpoints.
Help Desk
When you are at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and need help, there are information desks to assist you. Here, you can enquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. They can be found at a lower level of the terminal.
Wi-Fi and Device Charging Stations
Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the terminal at the airport, in case you want to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet. Free Wi-Fi (connect to “TheAuthorityLan” network) internet service is offered with unlimited usage.
In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile and laptop charging power outlets are also available throughout the airport, in case you need to charge your laptop and/or phone’s battery.
Baggage Handling and Storage
Luggage Lockers: Lockers and luggage storage facilities are available at the airport. The facility is located on the lower level of the terminal.
Luggage Wrapping: Luggage wrapping services at the airport. Bags are wrapped in plastic to protect them from damage and theft. It is located on the lower level of the terminal.
Luggage Trolleys/Carts: Luggage carts are available at the airport at a cost of $5 per cart. These can be found in the Baggage Claim area and curbside of the terminal entrance.
Porter Services: Porter services are not available at the airport.
There is a Baggage Claim facility available at the airport.
Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.
Lounge and Business Conference Room
At Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, passengers can use public lounges, VIP lounges, and business conference rooms, which may be available for free or paid in order to access these facilities.
Stores and Duty-Free Shopping
There are plenty of shops that can be easily found throughout the airport’s terminal and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items, from children’s toys to fashion accessories for adults. You may also buy books, magazines, newspapers, etc., to help pass time during your stopover or flight delay.
Duty-Free stores are also available at the airport that sells all kinds of merchandise, including souvenirs. These are located throughout the terminal.
Cafe, Bar and Restaurants
Finding snack and beverage options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. These cafeterias and restaurants are located throughout the terminal and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. These include Starbucks, The Local Rustic Market, Birmingham Brewhouse, Starbucks, Jim’s Nick’s Bar-B-Q, Talladega Grille, Chick-Fil-A, The Great American Bagel, Starbucks, Grounded in Birmingham, and more.
You will also find vending machines located throughout both levels, before security.
Other Amenities Available at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
There are other amenities that are available to passengers at the airport. These include:
Prayer Room: There is an inter-faith prayer room located on the upper level, near Gate C1.
Art Exhibition: The airport has a beautiful art gallery. One such exhibition is named Earth Wind and Water: The Landscape of Alabama that contains a living plant wall and is worth exploring. It is located in Concourse B.
Children’s Play Area: The airport offers play zones for children. These are located on the upper level, near Gates A2, B2, and C5.
Nursing Room: Parents and guardians traveling with infants and children can use the nursing rooms. The facility also offers chairs, charging outlets, and more. Also, restrooms on the airside provide baby changing tables and children’s toilets.
Pet Relief Area: There is a pet relief area available at the airport. Passengers traveling with pets can use the facility and also clean up after their pets. It is located on the lower level, exit door 4L.
Observation Deck: When you have plenty of time at the airport, simply relax and watch planes take off and land from the vantage point of the airport’s observation deck. It is located on the upper level, adjacent to Gate B4.
ATM: ATMs are available at the airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATMs if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs located throughout both levels, before security.
Currency Exchange: The currency used in Alabama in the United States Dollar (USD or $). Currency exchange facilities are available at the airport.
Banking Services: Banking facilities are available at the airport.
Hotels On-site and Nearby Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Finding accommodation on-site or nearby Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport should not be a problem for travelers as there are several hotels and resorts out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find convenient and affordable places for a comfortable stay during your visit to Alabama in the USA.
A few hotels that are located on-site as well as near the airport are:
Ramada Birmingham Airport: The hotel is located less than five minutes from the airport. It is in proximity to the airport. There is an airport shuttle service available free of cost.
Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport: The hotel is located less than five minutes from the airport. There is an airport shuttle service available at no additional cost.
Quality Inn Airport-Southeast: The hotel is located less than ten minutes from the airport. There is an airport shuttle service available free of cost.
Ground Transport Options To and From Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Getting to and from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.
Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to hotels and/or airports. Free shuttle buses provide travelers with easy connectivity. Also, there may be a few hotels in the city and adjoining areas that provide free or on-demand shuttle services to and from the airport.
Additionally, you may also book pre-arranged rides that offer services to and from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International airport, and which can also be scheduled as per your needs. You can usually find their kiosks or counters/stands located either at the terminal’s entrance or exit area. These may also contain information on the companies that are permitted to render such services at the airport.
Airport Shuttle Service
There is a shuttle transfer service available to passengers within the airport.
In addition to inter-terminal shuttle services, door-to-door and inter-city shuttles are also available to passengers. The services are operated by several companies or local agencies and are also available on request. You can contact these shuttle service providers from the airport.
Hotel Shuttle Service
Few hotels in the city may offer free or paid shuttle transfer services to their guests. Therefore, it is advised that you contact the hotel for more information with regard to pick-up and drop-off, besides accommodation.
Bus Service
Public bus transportation services are available for the commute. It is both affordable and convenient and can get you to places in no time. Express buses operate on an hourly basis to and from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
Train and Metro Services
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is connected with train and metro lines for commuting.
Limousine Service
Limousines are available for hire at the airport.
Taxi Service
Taxis are available, if you need a ride to a hotel or want to go sightseeing. Taxi stands can be found on the ground floor, outside the Baggage Claim area.
Car Hire Service
You can hire a car at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several companies that offer cars on hire/rent at the airport. The car hire/rental agencies or companies have their counters/stands located on-site, on the ground floor of the parking deck. There are courtesy shuttle services available throughout the day.
The companies or agencies that offer car hire/rental services at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty.
App-Based Ride Sharing Services
Aside from several transport options that are available to travelers from and to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, app-based ride-sharing services are also offered. Lyft and Uber operate pick-up at the airport.
Conclusion
The city of Birmingham offers many places of interest to both national and foreign tourists. A few such attractions include the Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Civil Rights Historic District, Kelly Ingram Park, Carver Theater, Fourth Avenue Business District, Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery, Huntsville U.S. Space and Rocket Center, McWane Science Center, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Gulf State Park, Mobile Bay and many more.
Traveling to and from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in the U.S. state of Alabama will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And, if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find lots of attractions to enjoy your holidays.
