Our Review of Bridgetown Grantley Adams Airport (BGI)

Our Review of Bridgetown Grantley Adams Airport (BGI)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Bridgetown Grantley Adams Airport (BGI)

Pros

1. Convenient Location:
   Located just 3 miles from downtown West Palm Beach, making it easy and quick to reach the city and nearby beaches.

2. Short Wait Times:
   Security lines and baggage claim are typically fast and efficient compared to larger Florida airports.

3. User-Friendly Layout:
   The airport is compact with clear signage, making navigation simple even for first-time visitors.

4. Clean and Modern Facilities:
   PBI is known for its cleanliness, comfortable seating, and recently updated amenities.

5. Good Dining and Shopping Options:
   Offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, including local favorites and national chains.

Cons

1. Limited International Flights:
   Most flights are domestic, with fewer direct international connections than larger airports like Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

2. Fewer Airline Choices:
   Not as many airlines operate here, which can limit flight options and flexibility.

3. Higher Airfare:
   Ticket prices can be higher compared to nearby larger airports due to less competition.

4. Limited Public Transportation:
   Public transit options are not as robust; most travelers rely on taxis, rideshares, or rental cars.

5. Busy During Peak Season:
   The airport can become crowded during holidays and winter months, leading to longer waits and limited seating.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Grantley Adams International Airport (IATA: BGI, ICAO: TBPB), also known as Bridgetown Airport, is the main international gateway to Barbados and a major hub in the Eastern Caribbean. Located in Seawell, Christ Church, about 13 km from Bridgetown’s city center, it serves millions of passengers annually with direct connections to North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Terminals & Layout

The airport features a modern, single terminal building divided into two main areas: Arrivals and Departures. The layout is straightforward, with check-in counters, security, and immigration on one level. After security, passengers can access duty-free shops, restaurants, and comfortable waiting areas. The terminal is fully air-conditioned and offers free Wi-Fi throughout.

Airlines & Popular Destinations

BGI is served by major international airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, Delta, and Copa Airlines.
Top direct destinations include:

• New York (JFK/EWR)
• London (Heathrow/Gatwick)
• Toronto (Pearson)
• Miami (MIA)
• Panama City (PTY)
• Other Caribbean islands

Ground Transportation

Taxis: Official taxis are available outside the arrivals hall with fixed rates to popular destinations. A ride to Bridgetown takes about 20 minutes.
Buses: Public buses and minibuses (ZR vans) connect the airport to Bridgetown and other key locations for a low fare (3.50 BBD).
Car Rental: Major companies like Hertz, Avis, Drive A Matic, and Europcar have desks just outside arrivals. Book ahead, especially in high season.

Services & Amenities

• Duty-Free Shopping: Wide selection of local rum, souvenirs, and international brands.
• Dining: Cafés, bars, and restaurants offer both local and international cuisine.
• VIP Lounges: Available for premium passengers and those seeking extra comfort.
• Wi-Fi: Free and reliable throughout the terminal.
• ATMs & Currency Exchange: Available in the arrivals and departures areas.

Accessibility & Family Services

The airport is accessible for travelers with reduced mobility and offers family-friendly facilities, including baby changing rooms and a children’s play area.

Useful Tips

• Bring small bills for taxis and buses, as change may be limited.
• Keep your immigration form for departure.
• The airport is busiest on weekends and during winter; plan accordingly.

Contact Information

• Phone: +1 246 418 4242
• Website: www.gaia.bb

Summary:

Grantley Adams International Airport is modern, efficient, and traveler-friendly, making it the perfect starting point for your Barbados adventure. With convenient transport options, a range of amenities, and connections to major global destinations, your journey will be smooth from arrival to departure.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

• On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
• Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
• Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
• Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation

Some Stats

Airlines with more flight operations (last 3 months)

Airlines with best on-time performance at Bridgetown Airport (last 3 months)

Routes with more flights from Bridgetown Airport (last month)