Belfast International sits at Aldergrove, around 22 km northwest of Belfast city centre, and is Northern Ireland's busiest airport by passenger numbers. easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair dominate the route map, with links to mainland UK cities, Spain, Portugal and a seasonal stretch of Mediterranean leisure destinations.
Major carriers: easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI Airways.
Low-cost carriers: easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2.com.
Which is the cheapest month to fly from Belfast International?
Late January, February and the first half of November are usually the lowest-fare months out of BFS, when leisure demand drops between Christmas and Easter half-term. School holidays and July push prices up sharply. Flightmussy's free 12-month heatmap surfaces the exact cheapest week without you having to click date by date.
What's the difference between BFS and BHD?
BFS (Belfast International, Aldergrove) is the larger low-cost hub about 22 km from the city. BHD (George Best Belfast City) sits 5 km from the centre and focuses on short business routes, mainly to London and other UK cities. Use Flightmussy's multi-airport origin filter to compare both Belfast airports in a single search.
Does Ryanair fly from Belfast International?
Yes, Ryanair operates a base at BFS with routes across Spain, Portugal, Italy and Poland, plus UK domestic links. Frequencies and destinations shift seasonally. Flightmussy compares Ryanair fares directly against easyJet and Jet2 on the same dates so you can spot when the headline price isn't actually the cheapest after baggage.
How far is Belfast International from the city centre?
BFS is about 22 km northwest of Belfast city centre at Aldergrove. The Airport Express 300 bus runs into the city in roughly 40 minutes, and taxis take 25-30 minutes outside rush hour. There is no direct rail link, so most passengers use the bus or pre-book a private transfer.