[9] The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 categorized it as a medium-hub primary commercial service facility.

[10] The former discount department store chain Bradlees was named after the airport as many of the early planning meetings were held there.

[12] The airfield was named after 24-year-old Lt. Eugene M. Bradley of Antlers, Oklahoma, assigned to the 64th Pursuit Squadron, who died when his P-40 crashed during a dogfight training drill on August 21, 1941.

Due to the high operating cost and the fact that the parking lot it was connected to was not being used, the system was never put in service and was dismantled in 1984 to make room for a new terminal building.

The airport expansion was part of a larger project to enhance the reputation of the Hartford metropolitan area as a destination for business and vacation travel.

[12] In December 2002 a new International Arrivals Building opened west of Terminal B,[12] housing the Federal Inspection Station with one jetway.

[25] In the same month, Embraer, an aerospace company based in Brazil, selected Bradley as its service center for the Northeastern United States.

The center is intended to be a full maintenance and repair facility for its line of business jets and is expected to employ up to 60 aircraft technicians.

The facility was temporarily closed ten months after opening due to economic conditions, reopening on February 28, 2011.

The announcement included the airline would begin service to an additional eight nonstop destinations from Bradley and create more than 200 new jobs.

[citation needed] On July 13, 2022, the $210 million Ground Transportation Center opened, hosting a consolidated rental car facility and 830 additional general-purpose parking spaces.

The East Concourse has 12 gates and houses the following airlines: Aer Lingus, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country.

In the year ending July 31, 2023, the airport had 77,685 aircraft operations, averaging 213 per day: 71% airline, 16% general aviation, 13% air taxi, and <1% military.

[3] Carrier shares (January 2023 - December 2023) CT Transit provides bus transportation to and from Bradley International Airport through two routes.

[92] The Connecticut Air National Guard 103d Airlift Wing leases 144 acres (0.58 km2) in the southwest corner of the airport for their Bradley ANG Base.

[33] Bradley has also been identified as one of the last remaining tracts of grassland in Connecticut suitable for a few endangered species of birds, including the upland sandpiper, the horned lark, and the grasshopper sparrow.

Bradley scored well with readers in the categories of on-site parking, availability of charging stations and free Wi-Fi, decent restaurant options, and overall relaxed atmosphere.

[94] The following year, it was named 3rd-best airport in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards.