Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Map (Most Up-To-Date)
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) runs as a compact, single-terminal complex with a strict bi-level layout within Birmingham’s primary airport complex: Level 1 handles Arrivals, baggage claim, and door-numbered ground transport (Doors 1L–4L), while Level 2 handles Departures, ticketing, and the single central TSA checkpoint. A central vertical core (escalators/elevators) links the two levels, and the parking deck connects into the Level 2 ticketing hall via a short skybridge.
Map Table
| Terminal | Key Airlines | Primary Function | Transfer Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Terminal (bi-level) | Delta, American, Southwest, United | Arrivals (L1), Departures + TSA (L2) | Central escalators/elevators |
| Airside Concourses A/B/C | Delta/American (A), American (B), Southwest/United (C) | Gates, post-security dining | Walk from central connector |
| Parking Deck + Skybridge | All passengers | Hourly/Daily parking, rental cars (Deck L1) | Skybridge to ticketing (Deck L3) |
| Ground Transport Doors 1L–4L | Rideshare, shuttles, pickups | Door-specific curb operations | Walk from baggage claim |
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Map Strategy
- Treat the Arrivals curb as a failure-prone zone at peak times; use the central escalators/elevators to move from Level 1 to Level 2 for a faster Departures-side pickup when the lower roadway stalls.
- Use door numbers as the “source of truth” for every pickup: align plans to the exact door and lane (Door 2L ground transportation median vs Door 4L rideshare), not generic signage text.
- Run a clearance check before committing to the deck; the 6’2″ limit on upper levels makes “try it and see” a high-risk move for tall SUVs/trucks.
- Plan indoor routes around the central vertical core and the skybridge: shortest paths come from entering/exiting near the middle of the building, then vectoring to the correct door (1L–4L) or to TSA from the central ticketing hall.
2026 Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Map + Printable PDF
Parking and pickup operations remain defined by door numbers and vertical separation, with updated wayfinding reflecting ongoing rideshare/ground-transport signage improvements and post-2025 parking modernization. Oversize vehicle planning is still clearance-driven, with upper-deck limits shaping where tall vehicles can park and how drivers should route to avoid turnarounds and missed pickups.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Lower Level Map 2026
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Upper Level Map 2026
2026 Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Map Guide
What is the exact walking route (turn-by-turn) from Arrivals curb pickup to Departures curb pickup (the “go upstairs” workaround), including which escalators/elevators and doors to use?
The Departures curb pickup is reached by using the central escalators or elevator bank between the baggage carousels to go up to Level 2, then exiting the ticketing hall through the main curbside doors directly opposite the airline counters. From the Arrivals curb on Level 1, the fastest “upstairs” move starts inside near the baggage claim center, not from the roadway.
From Door 1L–4L on the Arrivals curb, step back into the building and walk to the baggage claim hall’s middle, aiming between the carousels for the central vertical core (escalators and elevator bank by the atrium opening). Take the escalator up to Level 2 (or the adjacent elevator to “Ticketing/Level 2”). At the top, you’ll be in the ticketing hall facing the airline counters; turn 180 degrees so the counters are behind you and walk straight toward the curbside/drop-off doors. Exit through the automated sliding doors to the Departures curb and meet your driver under “Departures/Ticketing” roadway signs rather than “Arrivals.”
Where is the official rideshare pickup at BHM (door + lane), and what is the shortest door-to-curb path from baggage claim to that exact pickup point?
The official rideshare pickup is on the Lower Level (Arrivals) by Door 4L at the passenger pickup/rideshare curb, typically using the outer curb or pickup island rather than the inner taxi-heavy lane. Door 4L is the most reliable “vector” for app-based pickup because it aligns with the far end of the arrivals doors where rideshare wayfinding clusters.
From the center of baggage claim, walk toward the higher-numbered doors and the Door 4L end of the hall (use the door-number placards as your guide, not changing text signage). Continue straight to the Door 4L exit, step outside, and follow any curbside “Rideshare/Passenger Pickup” markers to the designated loading edge. If your app instructs an island/outer curb position, cross the immediate inner lane to the pickup island directly outside Door 4L and confirm your exact “Door 4L” pin before the driver enters the single-lane arrivals flow.
From the parking deck pedestrian exit, what is the shortest indoor route to the airline check-in counters (which door, which corridor), and what is the measured walking distance?
The shortest indoor route is the Level 3 skybridge from the parking deck directly into the Upper Level ticketing hall, where the airline check-in counters begin immediately ahead and to either side of the central hall. This path avoids any street crossing and keeps the entire move inside the deck-to-terminal connector.
From your parking spot, walk to the parking deck’s main elevator/stair core and go to Level 3 (Hourly), then follow signs for the enclosed skybridge/walkway to the terminal. The skybridge deposits you into the ticketing hall corridor on Level 2, facing into the check-in area; proceed forward toward the counter line (Delta generally to the left/north end, United to the right/south end, with American and Southwest nearer the center). The measured distance is approximately 300 feet (91 meters) from the deck elevator core to the nearest ticket counter, with a typical walk time around 3 minutes.
Where exactly is oversize vehicle parking in the BHM parking deck, and what are the true clearance constraints along the route (entrance and internal low points) that a tall vehicle must pass?
The dealbreaker is a 6’2″ hard clearance limit on the parking deck’s upper levels (Levels 2–7), which makes oversize parking functionally limited to the ground level workflow. Oversize vehicle parking is on Level 1 of the parking deck, reached by staying on the ground-floor routing and avoiding the spiral ramp to upper levels.
| Segment | Where to go | Clearance constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Deck approach | Enter the parking deck plaza from Messer Airport Hwy | Clearance checks begin at entry control |
| Ground level oversize | Follow “Oversize” or “Level 1/Ground Floor” routing; do not take the ramp up | ~8’2″ clearance into Level 1 |
| Upper levels (avoid) | Levels 2–7 (Daily/Hourly spread) | 6’2″ hard limit (internal low points/beams) |
| Post-July 2025 protocol | Use Economy Lot on Airline Drive for oversize (non-ADA/van-accessible) | Avoid deck rejection/relocation risk |
Where are the economy lot shuttle/tram stops relative to terminal doors, and what is the shortest walking route from the drop-off point to the TSA checkpoint queue start?
The economy lot shuttle drops passengers at the Upper Level (Departures) curb near the terminal’s central main doors, which is the closest curbline to ticketing and the single TSA checkpoint. This drop-off avoids the Lower Level arrivals gridlock and places you within a short, straight indoor walk to screening.
After stepping off the shuttle at the Departures curb, enter through the main automated sliding doors into the ticketing hall (use the central entrance as your landmark, with counters stretching left and right). Walk straight inland (away from the curb) toward the middle of the hall, aiming for the central security area that separates ticketing from the concourse connector. The TSA queue start is under the central “Security/TSA” overhead signs, typically less than 200 feet (60 meters) from the curb drop-off, with an average walk time around 2 minutes.
For Groome Transportation, what is the exact pickup location at BHM (Door 2L + “Ground Transportation” lane), and what is the precise indoor path from baggage claim to that door?
The pickup is at Door 2L on the Lower Level in the median “Ground Transportation” lane, not the curb directly against the terminal wall. Door 2L is the fixed coordinate that prevents the common “wrong door = missed shuttle” failure at BHM.
From the center of baggage claim, orient toward the Door 2L side by using the door-number signs above the exits, then walk to the exit aligned with Carousels 3–4 as your landmark. Go out through Door 2L, then continue forward past the first curb edge: cross the first traffic lane to the center island/median where the “Ground Transportation” lane loads shuttles. Stand on the marked island directly across from Door 2L, and arrive early enough to buffer for curb congestion and short shuttle dwell times.
Which baggage claim carousel(s) serve each airline at BHM, and what is the shortest route from the main gates/concourse exit to the correct carousel area (minimizing wrong-direction walking)?
The baggage claim hall uses Carousels 1–4, with Delta and American primarily on Carousels 1–2 and Southwest and United primarily on Carousels 3–4. The fastest “don’t walk the wrong way” move is decided at the bottom of the central escalator down from the concourse exit.
After leaving the secure concourse connector, take the central escalator down to the arrivals/baggage claim level and use the base of the escalator as your decision point. For Southwest or United, turn right and continue toward the Door 2L side where Carousels 3–4 cluster. For Delta or American, turn left and continue toward the Door 3L/4L side where Carousels 1–2 sit. If you’re unsure, confirm by checking the airline baggage office signage near the carousel bank before committing to a full-length walk across the hall.
Where are the rental car counters located (terminal vs garage), and what is the measured walking distance and exact path from baggage claim to the counters/garage entry?
The rental car counters are in the parking deck on the ground level (Section 1B), not inside the terminal. The walk from the center of baggage claim to the counters is approximately 350–400 feet (106–120 meters), with the key friction point being the roadway crosswalk.
From baggage claim on Level 1, walk toward the central/east exits and use Door 3L or Door 4L as your practical departure point. Exit the terminal, then follow the marked pedestrian crosswalk to traverse the arrivals roadway lanes to the parking deck ground-floor entrance. Once inside the garage, follow “Rental Car Center” signs to Section 1B and the counter line. The transition is partially covered by the upper roadway overhang, but the garage entry can expose you to wind-driven rain, so keep bags zipped and move directly from crosswalk to interior signage.
Where is the TSA checkpoint entrance relative to the ticketing hall, and what is the shortest path from each major airline counter area to the start of the screening line?
The TSA checkpoint entrance is centered in the Upper Level ticketing hall, forming a single consolidated screening node for all concourses. The fastest path is always a short lateral move from your airline’s counter bank toward the middle, then a direct turn into the central queue mouth under “Security/TSA” overhead signs.
| Airline counter area | Shortest path to queue start | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Delta (far left / north end) | Walk right toward the hall center, then turn into the central queue opening | ~150 ft |
| American (center-left) | Walk a short distance right to the center, then turn into the queue opening | ~75 ft |
| Southwest (center-right) | Walk a short distance left to the center, then turn into the queue opening | ~75 ft |
| United (far right / south end) | Walk left toward the hall center, then turn into the central queue opening | ~150 ft |
Post-security, what are the closest food/drink options to the busiest gates, and what is the walking distance from those gates (to avoid “nothing nearby” surprises)?
The closest post-security food/drink options cluster near the concourse connector and Concourse A, while Concourse C has fewer choices and can force a long backtrack if you’re aiming for specific brands. The biggest “nothing nearby” surprise risk is at Southwest-heavy Concourse C if you expect Concourse A options.
- Scoreboard Bar & Café, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks near the Concourse A side of the post-security connector; ~1–2 minutes from the TSA exit and closest to Delta/American gates in A.
- Red Mountain Grill and Burger King in Concourse B; ~2–3 minutes’ walk from the TSA exit and mid-terminal for American operations in B.
- Tacos Locos in Concourse C; ~2–4 minutes once you commit into C, most useful for Southwest/United gate holds.
- Cross-concourse warning: the walk from a busy C gate area (example: Gate C6) to Concourse A food and back can run ~10–15 minutes round-trip, so decide immediately after clearing security.
