Yes, smoking is permitted at Birmingham Airport — but only at one designated outdoor zone outside the main terminal entrance. Birmingham is England’s largest airport outside London, handling around 12 million passengers annually. Like most UK airports, it operates outdoor-only with no airside smoking facilities (the previous airside smoking room was closed in May 2019 and not replaced).
Single Combined Terminal
A note on Birmingham’s terminal layout: although the airport historically had separate Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 buildings, these have been merged operationally into a single combined terminal. There is no longer a meaningful T1/T2 distinction for passengers. All check-in, security, and gate access flow through one integrated facility.
The Designated Smoking Zone
Birmingham has one designated outdoor smoking zone at the main terminal entrance:
- Location: outside the main terminal entrance, signposted with an ashtray.
- Setback: away from the doors and the drop-off lanes. Smoking at the doors themselves or along the drop-off zones is explicitly prohibited.
- Access: landside only, before security.
This is the only smoking-permitted location on airport property.
Airside Smoking History (Closed May 2019)
Birmingham previously had an airside smoking area at The Meriden Bar (later renamed The Factory) which opened in May 2012. The airport closed this facility in May 2019. A Q1 2021 replacement was proposed in airport press communications but never materialised.
As of 2024-2026, BHX has no airside smoking option. The most recent policy update (July 2024) confirms smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside the terminal both before and after security.
Layovers and Transit
Birmingham handles a balanced mix of UK domestic, short-haul European (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2), and long-haul (Air India to Delhi/Amritsar, Emirates to Dubai, Qatar Airways to Doha, TUI charter) traffic. With no airside smoking, transit smoke breaks require:
- Under 90 minutes: not feasible — the exit-and-re-clear cycle exceeds the layover.
- 90 minutes to 3 hours: tight, but workable. Allow 45-60 minutes for the round trip from gate to outdoor zone and back through security.
- 3+ hours: comfortable. Use the time for the AirRail Link to Birmingham city centre (10 minutes by train from Birmingham International station).
AirRail Link and Rail Connection
Birmingham is unique among UK airports for its rail integration: the AirRail Link is a free, fully automated cable-driven people mover (Doppler Cable Liner, opened 2003) that connects the terminal to Birmingham International rail station in 90 seconds, running every 2 minutes 24/7.
Smoking is prohibited throughout the AirRail Link (enclosed public-transport vehicle, UK Smoke-free Premises law). Smoke at the airport’s landside zone before boarding. From Birmingham International station:
- London Euston — 75 minutes (West Coast Main Line, every 20 minutes during the day)
- Birmingham New Street — 10 minutes (multiple operators)
- Manchester Piccadilly — 90 minutes (Avanti West Coast)
Vaping
UK law treats vaping leniently, but Birmingham’s airport operator applies the same rule to vapes as to cigarettes: outdoor zone only. Heat-not-burn devices (IQOS, glo) follow the same rule.
Bringing vapes through BHX is legal under UK law with no possession restrictions.
Tips for Smokers at Birmingham
- One designated zone — outside the main entrance, signposted.
- No airside smoking since May 2019 — plan accordingly for transit.
- AirRail Link to Birmingham International is non-smoking — smoke before boarding.
- For long-haul transit (Emirates, Qatar, Air India), build in time to exit security if you need a smoke break.
- Cigarettes ~£14-16/pack landside; duty-free competitive.