Smoking at Birmingham Airport – BHX

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By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Yes, smoking is permitted at Birmingham Airport at one designated outdoor zone outside the main terminal entrance. The airport 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 Area

Birmingham has one designated outdoor smoking area 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).

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 (an enclosed public-transport vehicle). 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.

For United Kingdom airport smoking rules, the vape ban, and other general info, see our United Kingdom smoking guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke at Birmingham Airport?

Yes — at the single designated landside outdoor smoking area outside the main terminal entrance. Birmingham operates a single combined terminal (former Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 merged operationally). Smoking and vaping are prohibited throughout the terminal interior, both before and after security. The previous airside smoking area at The Meriden Bar (later The Factory) was closed by the airport in May 2019 and has not been replaced.

Where is the smoking area at Birmingham Airport?

Yes — Birmingham has one designated outdoor smoking area outside the main terminal entrance, signposted with an ashtray. The zone is set back from the doors and the drop-off lanes — the airport explicitly prohibits smoking at the doors themselves or along the drop-off zones, only within the marked designated area.

Is there airside smoking at Birmingham Airport?

No — the airside smoking area near The Meriden Bar (later renamed The Factory), which had been operating since May 2012, was closed by the airport in May 2019. A Q1 2021 replacement was proposed but never materialised. As of 2024-2026, no airside smoking facility exists at BHX. Connecting passengers must exit security, smoke at the landside outdoor zone, and re-clear.

Can I smoke at the AirRail Link or Birmingham International rail station?

No — the AirRail Link (the free, 90-second cable-driven people mover connecting the terminal to Birmingham International rail station) is an enclosed public-transport vehicle where smoking is prohibited. Birmingham International rail station follows National Rail smoking policy (no smoking on platforms or in covered areas). Smoke at the airport’s landside zone before boarding the AirRail Link.

Are vapes and e-cigarettes allowed at Birmingham?

Yes — at the same single designated outdoor zone as cigarettes. Birmingham’s most recent policy update (July 2024) confirms that smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside the terminal both before and after security. Heat-not-burn devices follow the same rule. Bringing vapes through BHX is legal under UK law.