About flights from Belfast (BFS)
Belfast's main airport — officially George Best Belfast City Airport gets all the Instagram love, but Aldergrove is the one doing the heavy lifting. Sitting about 30 minutes northwest of the city, BFS punches well above its weight with 65 direct routes across 26 countries. That's a serious number for a regional airport. I've flown through plenty of smaller hubs that feel like a dead end, but this one genuinely opens doors — whether you're island-hopping in Greece or chasing something bigger. Scoring 77 out of 99 on reach, it's clearly not just a domestic connector anymore.
Quick stats for BFS
- Direct destinations: 65
- Countries served: 26
- Continents reached: 4 of 6
- Average flight distance: 1,803 km
- Longest non-stop: Cancun (CUN) — 7,521 km (~9h 24m)
- Shortest non-stop: Glasgow (GLA) — 175 km (~13 min)
- Reach score: 77/99
Why fly to Belfast?
Spain alone accounts for 12 direct routes from BFS. Twelve. That means you've got real options — not just one overpriced flight to Madrid but actual flexibility across the country. France adds another 5 routes, Greece and Italy each bring 4, and the UK's domestic network gives you 13 connections including the shortest hop in the whole network: Glasgow at just 175 km. That's practically a commute. And then there's the wild card — Cancun. At 7,521 km, it's the longest route out of the airport and honestly the one that surprised me most when I first looked at the map. Mexico from Belfast. Direct. That changes the conversation about what this airport actually is. Culturally, Belfast itself rewards a proper visit. The city's got real edge — street art, brilliant food scene, a history that demands you pay attention. Flying in and out of BFS means you spend less time transferring through bigger hubs and more time actually being somewhere.
Longest non-stop flights from BFS
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Belfast:
- Cancun, Mexico (CUN) — 7,521 km, approximately 9h 24m
- Hurghada, Egypt (HRG) — 4,441 km, approximately 5h 33m
- Larnaca, Cyprus (LCA) — 3,760 km, approximately 4h 42m
- Paphos, Cyprus (PFO) — 3,706 km, approximately 4h 38m
- Antalya, Turkiye (AYT) — 3,423 km, approximately 4h 17m
Short-haul flights from BFS
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Belfast:
- Glasgow, United Kingdom (GLA) — 175 km, approximately 13 min
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom (EDI) — 230 km, approximately 17 min
- Liverpool, United Kingdom (LPL) — 265 km, approximately 20 min
- Newcastle, United Kingdom (NCL) — 291 km, approximately 22 min
- Manchester, United Kingdom (MAN) — 295 km, approximately 22 min
Top countries by direct connections from BFS
Aldergrove Airport connects to 26 countries. Here are the most served:
- United Kingdom — 13 destinations (Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and 9 more)
- Spain — 12 destinations (Alicante, Barcelona, Girona, Ibiza and 8 more)
- France — 5 destinations (Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice, Paris and 1 more)
- Greece — 4 destinations (Heraklion, Kerkyra, Rhodes, Zakinthos)
- Italy — 4 destinations (Milan, Milan, Turin, Verona)
- Portugal — 3 destinations (Faro, Funchal, Porto)
- Turkiye — 2 destinations (Antalya, Dalaman)
- Poland — 2 destinations (Gdansk, Krakow)
Where to fly from Belfast
Flights to United Kingdom
Belfast has 13 direct routes to United Kingdom:
- Glasgow (GLA) — 175 km
- Edinburgh (EDI) — 230 km
- Liverpool (LPL) — 265 km
- Newcastle (NCL) — 291 km
- Manchester (MAN) — 295 km
- Leeds (LBA) — 309 km
- ...and 7 more destinations
Flights to Spain
Belfast has 12 direct routes to Spain:
- Girona (GRO) — 1,564 km
- Reus (REU) — 1,598 km
- Barcelona (BCN) — 1,606 km
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI) — 1,809 km
- Menorca (MAH) — 1,820 km
- Ibiza (IBZ) — 1,845 km
- ...and 6 more destinations
Flights to France
Belfast has 5 direct routes to France:
- Paris (BVA) — 811 km
- Paris (CDG) — 871 km
- Bordeaux (BOD) — 1,162 km
- Lyon (LYS) — 1,276 km
- Nice (NCE) — 1,559 km
Tips for travelers at BFS
The airport sits near Antrim, so if you're coming from Belfast city centre, budget around 30-40 minutes by car or taxi. There's a dedicated Airbus coach service that runs regularly into the city — much cheaper than a cab and genuinely reliable in my experience. Don't confuse BFS with George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), which is closer to town but serves far fewer routes. Pack layers. Northern Ireland's weather is famously unpredictable, and even summer departures can start with grey skies. Summer routes to Spain and Greece fill up fast, so if you're targeting July or August, book early.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Belfast
How do I get from Belfast Airport to the city center?
The Airport Bus 600 is your most affordable option at around £3.50 and takes about 30 minutes to reach the city center, while taxis typically cost £15-20 for the same trip. If you're renting a car, the drive is straightforward and takes about 20 minutes depending on traffic.
What's the best time to fly from Belfast?
Midweek flights (Tuesday-Thursday) are generally cheaper than weekends, and traveling during shoulder seasons like April-May or September-October offers better prices than peak summer months. Early morning flights also tend to be less expensive if you're flexible with your schedule.
How many destinations can I fly to directly from Belfast Airport?
You have 65 direct destinations to choose from, including major European cities, UK destinations, and seasonal routes, giving you plenty of options without needing to connect. This makes Belfast a surprisingly well-connected hub for a regional airport.
Do I need a visa to travel from Belfast?
As Belfast is in the UK, UK citizens don't need a visa for most European countries (up to 90 days), but non-UK residents should check specific country requirements well in advance. US, Canadian, and Australian citizens typically don't need visas for short European visits, but it's always worth confirming before you book.
Any practical tips for using Belfast Airport?
Arrive at least 2 hours before departure as the airport can get busy during peak times, and note that security queues move quickly here compared to larger hubs. The airport has free WiFi throughout, so you can check your flight status or grab a bite before heading to your gate.
How can I save money when flying from Belfast?
Book directly with budget airlines like Ryanair or easyJet rather than through comparison sites, and consider flying on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings when fares are typically lowest. Signing up for airport newsletters and airline alerts can also help you catch flash sales and seasonal promotions.
Plan your trip from Belfast
Browse the complete list of 65 destinations below to find your next flight from Aldergrove Airport. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.