The Curious Case of America’s 23rd Busiest Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington region—yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. In this in-depth documentary, we trace BWI’s origins, its role in Piedmont’s rise, its transformation under Southwest, and its ongoing struggle to compete with rapidly growing peers like Austin and Raleigh. From lost legacy routes and underserved international connections to long-awaited infrastructure upgrades and a proposed fourth runway, we uncover why BWI—America’s 23rd busiest airport—seems stuck between potential and reality. I may not be able to predict the future, but I’ll always hope for the best for my home airport. 👍 Enjoyed the video? Don’t forget to: ✅ Like & Subscribe for more aviation history & trip reports 💬 Comment below with your experience at BWI 📺 Follow for more deep dives into defunct airlines and aircraft 📲 Follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content! 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/TheOnlyNoIan 📸 Instagram:   / theonlynoian