Burlington Airport

Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, better known as Burlington Airport (BRL), is a compact and welcoming air hub serving as the gateway to the southeastern part of the state of Iowa, USA. Although physically located in the city of Burlington, the airport plays a key role in transport connectivity for the entire region, including the historic city of Fort Madison. This airport offers passengers a unique travel experience free from the stress and bustle typical of large hubs, while maintaining vital connections to the country's major aviation centres.

Instead of giant terminals and long queues, you will be greeted here by an almost home-like atmosphere. The airport is an important part of the Essential Air Service programme, ensuring stable and reliable air connections for the region's residents. Its convenience and personalised approach make the start or end of a journey particularly pleasant.

The main advantage of Burlington Airport is its exceptional convenience. Passengers appreciate the free parking located in immediate proximity to the terminal, as well as short queues for check-in and security screening, which saves both time and peace of mind. Passenger service is provided by Contour Airlines, offering flights to the major international hub of Chicago O'Hare (ORD). From there, thanks to partnership agreements, routes across the globe open up via airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines. For the comfort of travellers, the airport provides thoughtful touches such as personal calls in case of flight delays and even umbrellas during rainy weather, highlighting the care taken for every client.

For your convenience, we have compiled the main contact information for Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (BRL), which serves the city of Fort Madison and its surroundings.

• Official Website: Visit the official airport website for the most up-to-date information on flights, services, and news.
• Help Desk Phone: For general enquiries, you can call +1 (319) 754-1414.
• Airport Address: 2500 Summer St, Burlington, IA 52601, USA.
• Email: The airport does not provide a public email for general enquiries. It is recommended to use the contact form on their official website.
• Social Media: Follow updates on the airport's official page on Facebook.
• Lost Luggage Information: In case of lost or damaged baggage, please contact your airline's representative office first. If you have lost personal items within the terminal, contact the airport administration via the main phone number.
• Passenger Support Service: For questions related to booking, ticket changes, or airline policies, please contact your airline directly.

When planning a trip through Burlington Airport (BRL), serving the city of Fort Madison and the southeast region of Iowa in the USA, it is important to plan your route to the terminal in advance. The airport is located near the city of Burlington, and the journey from the centre of Fort Madison will take approximately 25-35 minutes (about 35 km). Below are the main ways to get to the airport.

Taxi and Transfer
The most convenient and predictable method is to book a taxi or private transfer. It is recommended to do this in advance, especially if you have an early departure or late arrival. The cost of a trip from Fort Madison to the airport is usually $50-70. Although services like Uber and Lyft may be available, their presence in this region can be limited, so it is more reliable to contact a local taxi service.

Car Rental and Parking
For those who value independence and plan to explore the region, renting a car is an ideal option. You can hire a car at the airport upon arrival or in the city. If you are travelling in your own vehicle, Burlington Airport offers convenient parking. Typically, such regional airports have both short-term and long-term parking lots at quite affordable prices, located within walking distance of the terminal.

Public Transport
Options for getting to the airport by public transport from Fort Madison are very limited. Although bus services operate in the region (for example, SEIBUS), their routes and schedules may not coincide with your flight time and do not imply direct connections to the airport. This option is the most budget-friendly but requires careful planning and checking of current information on transport company websites.

Alternative Airports
If your itinerary allows for flexibility or you require more flight options, it is worth considering other airports located at a reasonable distance. These include Quad City International Airport (MLI) in Moline, Quincy Airport (UIN), and The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, which offer a wider network of flights.

Burlington Airport (BRL), also known as Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, is a small and convenient air hub, distinguished by the utmost simplicity of its structure. This makes it an ideal choice for those who value a quick and comfortable start to their journey.

The airport operates with just one passenger terminal, which serves all flights—both departures and arrivals. Thanks to this, passengers do not need to worry about finding the right building or transferring between terminals, as all operations are concentrated in one compact building. The terminal layout is intuitive: upon entering, you will immediately see the airline check-in counters. The security screening area is located nearby and leads to a small and cosy waiting lounge by the boarding gates.

Departure and arrival zones are located in immediate proximity to each other. After the aircraft lands, passengers proceed to the baggage claim area, which is situated in the same main hall. Navigation through the terminal is extremely simple, and getting lost here is practically impossible.

One of the main advantages of Burlington Airport is the speed of completing all formalities. Flight check-in and security screening usually take minimal time due to the low passenger flow. Most often, the entire process from entering the building to the gate takes no more than 20-30 minutes. Nevertheless, it is recommended to adhere to standard rules and arrive at the airport approximately 60-90 minutes before departure to go through all procedures without haste.

The history of the airport, known today as Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (BRL), begins in the 1920s. It was officially opened in 1929 as Burlington Municipal Airport. Although the city of Burlington features in the name, the airport has played a key role in transport connectivity for the entire region from the very beginning, including the city of Fort Madison.

An important milestone in the airport's history was the period of World War II. During this time, it was transferred for use by the USA Naval Forces and functioned as an auxiliary air base for pilot training. After the war, the airport returned to civil use, and in the 1950s, one of the first regional airlines—Ozark Air Lines—began operating flights here, marking the beginning of the era of commercial passenger transport.

A key stage of development was the construction of a new terminal in 1966, which significantly increased comfort for passengers and allowed for handling growing traffic. Later, for more effective management and to reflect its importance for several localities, a special governing body was created—the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Authority. It was then that the airport received its modern name, emphasising its regional status.

In recent decades, the airport has gone through several stages of modernisation. Works were carried out to extend the runway to accommodate larger aircraft, as well as to update the terminal and navigation equipment. These improvements allow BRL to meet modern safety and efficiency standards, continuing to remain a vital air gateway for residents and guests of Southeast Iowa.

Burlington Airport (BRL), being a compact regional airport, provides passengers with a basic set of services and amenities for a comfortable wait for their flight. It is important to understand that due to the small size of the terminal, the choice of services here is more limited compared to large international hubs.

Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport for all passengers, as well as charging stations for electronic devices located in the waiting area. Regarding food, options are usually limited to vending machines with drinks and snacks. There are no specialised restaurants, cafés, or duty-free shops within the terminal.

There are no separate VIP lounges or business lounges provided for passengers; the general waiting area by the boarding gate serves all travellers. Also, there are no bank branches, currency exchange points, or conference rooms in the airport building. If necessary, cash can be withdrawn using an ATM, if one is installed in the terminal.

The airport fully complies with accessibility standards for passengers with reduced mobility. Accessible toilets and ramps are provided, as well as special assistance during boarding and disembarking, which is recommended to be booked in advance through the airline. For travellers with small children, changing tables are generally available in the restrooms. There are no specialised medical points, but in emergency cases, airport staff will provide first aid and call for medics.

There are no hotels on the territory of the airport itself, however, several accommodation options can be found in the city of Burlington, which is a few minutes' drive from the terminal.

When planning a departure from Burlington Airport (BRL), it is important to consider that this is a small regional airport, and the choice of dining establishments here is extremely limited. Unlike large hubs, there is no food court or variety of restaurants here.

At the moment, there are no full-service restaurants, cafés, or bars in the Burlington Airport terminal. Passengers wishing to have a snack should rely mainly on vending machines. In these, one can usually find a standard set: bottled water, carbonated drinks, crisps, chocolate bars, and other snacks. Specialised dietary options (vegan, gluten-free, or Halal meals) are generally not available in the machines.

Our recommendations for passengers:

• Full Meal: If you have time before departure, it is best to eat at one of the restaurants or cafés in the city of Burlington itself, which is located a few minutes' drive from the airport.
• Quick Snack: The most reliable option is to bring food with you or purchase something from the vending machines. Since all procedures at the airport are completed quite quickly, there is usually no long wait in the sterile area.

Thus, travellers are advised to plan their meals in advance and not count on a wide selection of food and drinks directly at Burlington Airport.

Travelling through a regional airport such as Burlington Airport, serving Fort Madison, has its own specific features. To ensure your trip goes smoothly, use these helpful tips. For domestic flights within the USA, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 1.5–2 hours before departure. This time is usually sufficient to go through all procedures without rushing. Online check-in, which most airlines open 24 hours before the flight, will help save significant time. This way, you can head straight to the baggage drop counter or, if travelling light, to the security checkpoint.

When packing hand luggage, remember the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules. All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers of no more than 100 ml and packed in a single transparent resealable bag. Sharp objects, such as knives and scissors (with the exception of small manicure ones), should be checked in with luggage. Security checkpoints at regional airports are generally less busy, but adhering to the rules will speed up the process for everyone. To save money, bring an empty water bottle and fill it after passing security control, as well as light snacks to avoid spending at the airport.

Choosing a seat on the plane depends on your preferences: a window seat will offer beautiful views during takeoff and landing, while an aisle seat allows you to stand up and stretch your legs freely. Many flights from Burlington Airport are connecting flights. If you have a transfer, check during registration whether your luggage will be automatically forwarded to the final destination. Always allow enough time for the transfer at a major hub airport, especially if you have to change terminals.

In case of a flight delay, follow updates via your airline's mobile app—this is the fastest way to get current information. Keep a portable charger handy to stay connected. Since flights from Burlington Airport are domestic, there is no need to go through customs control. This procedure is mandatory only when crossing an international border at the first airport of arrival in the country. Following these simple tips will make your journey more predictable and comfortable.