Owais Crawford
London Luton Airport (LTN) is an international airport located in Luton, England, just outside the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. It is one of London's six international airports and is the fourth-largest airport serving London. The airport primarily serves low-cost airlines flying to over 145 destinations in Europe and beyond. With a range of facilities, car hire options, and parking choices, London Luton Airport offers a smooth and stress-free travel experience for passengers.
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What You'll Learn
London Luton Airport's history
London Luton Airport, previously known as Luton International Airport, is located just outside the town of Luton in Bedfordshire, 20 miles from London's northern fringes. It is the fourth-largest airport serving the London area and the fifth busiest airport in the UK in terms of passenger numbers.
The airport was officially opened on 16 July 1938 by the Right Honourable Kingsley Wood, the then Secretary of State for Air. It was owned by the Borough of Luton and was envisioned to serve as the northern terminal for London. During World War II, the airport served as a base for the Royal Air Force, with fighters of No. 264 Squadron being based there. It was also a manufacturing site for both civil and military aircraft.
After the war, the airport was returned to the local council, and commercial activity resumed in 1952 with the opening of a new control tower. During the 1960s, Luton Airport played a pivotal role in the development of the package holiday business, capitalising on the boom in demand for package holidays in the UK. Its location, tapping into the London market and the surrounding counties, contributed to its exponential growth. By 1969, a fifth of all holiday flights from the UK departed from Luton Airport, and by 1972, it had become the country's most profitable airport.
However, Luton Airport faced setbacks in 1974 when major package holiday operators Clarksons and Court Line went into liquidation. Despite this, the airport remained an integral part of the London airport system, and in 1978, an expansion plan was initiated to accommodate up to 5 million passengers annually. In 1985, a new international terminal building was opened by the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III).
In 1990, the airport was renamed London Luton Airport to emphasise its proximity to the capital. The arrival of new operators, such as EasyJet and Debonair, contributed to a rapid increase in passenger numbers, making it the UK's fastest-growing major airport. Significant investments were made in the airport's infrastructure during the 1990s, including the construction of a new £40 million terminal, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1999.
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Transport to and from the airport
London Luton Airport provides a range of transport options for passengers to and from the airport. The airport is located 56km (35 miles) northwest of Central London and is accessible by car, train, bus, and coach.
If you are driving to the airport, there are several parking options available, including priority parking, terminal car parks, mid-stay car parks, and long-stay car parks. The long-stay car park is a ten-minute shuttle bus ride from the airport, which runs every 20 minutes and is free of charge.
For those travelling by train, the Luton DART connects the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station in just four minutes, with tickets priced at £4.90. From Luton Airport Parkway, there are frequent trains to Central London, including the Luton Airport Express, which runs to St Pancras International in 23 minutes. Thameslink also operates 24-hour services to various London stations, including London Bridge, Blackfriars, and St Pancras International.
National Express and Green Line provide fast and frequent coach services to and from many central London locations. The A1 National Express route runs to Victoria Coach Station, with stops at Golders Green, Finchley Road, Baker Street, and Paddington, among others. The journey time is approximately one hour.
Additionally, London Luton Airport offers a free shuttle bus service to the Car Hire Centre, where passengers can rent cars from companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Europcar.
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Parking and car hire
London Luton Airport offers a range of parking options to suit different needs and budgets. The airport's official parking website advertises savings of up to 60% on parking and various options, including short-term, mid-stay, long-stay, priority parking, and a drop-off and pick-up zone located right outside the terminal building. The drop-off and pick-up zone costs £5 for 5 minutes, £1 per minute thereafter, with a 20-minute maximum stay. The Mid Stay Car Park offers free drop-off and pick-up for up to 20 minutes.
For those looking for cheaper alternatives, off-site car parks such as Airparks Drop and Go and Vauxhall Way Drop and Go offer convenient and low-cost options. Airparks Drop and Go is located just 14 minutes away from the airport and provides free WiFi on its transfer shuttle bus. Vauxhall Way Drop and Go is a quick 5-minute shuttle ride from the airport.
London Luton Airport also has a dedicated shuttle bus service that runs between the airport and the Car Hire Centre, where major rental companies such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Green Motion, Drivalia, and Sixt have offices. The shuttle bus can be caught from Bay C outside the arrivals terminal. Car rental companies with desks in London Luton Airport include Avis, which offers a range of vehicles to suit different needs, including compact cars perfect for navigating London's busy streets. The average daily rate for car hire at London Luton Airport is £29.30, but prices vary depending on the car type and supplier.
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The airport's facilities
London Luton Airport features a single, two-storey passenger terminal building, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1999. The terminal has 60 check-in desks, baggage and flight information systems, and a range of shops and restaurants. The airport's departure lounge includes a kids' play area and two lounges. The airport also has an arrivals hall with shops, restaurants, a currency exchange, and an onward travel centre where you can book tickets for onward travel to London.
London Luton Airport offers a range of parking options, including priority parking, terminal car park, mid-stay car park, and long-stay car park. The airport also provides a free 24/7 shuttle bus service to and from the long-stay car park, with buses running every 20 minutes.
The airport is well-connected to central London via rail and coach services. The Luton DART provides a dedicated rail link to Luton Airport Parkway station, located just four minutes from the airport. From there, Thameslink operates 24-hour services to London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St Pancras International. The Luton Airport Express service runs between the airport and London St Pancras International in just 32 minutes. National Express and Green Line also offer coach services to various destinations across London, including Victoria Coach Station.
London Luton Airport also has a Car Hire Centre, located a short ride from the terminal via a free shuttle bus. Car rental companies such as Avis, Enterprise, and Europcar offer a range of rental options. Additionally, the airport has a number of hotels located within a short walking distance, including Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard, and Ibis.
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The airport's operators
London Luton Airport is owned by London Luton Airport Limited, a company wholly owned by Luton Borough Council. The airport's operations are managed by London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL).
In the 1990s, the airport witnessed a rapid increase in passenger numbers due to the arrival of new operators like charter operator MyTravel Group, and low-cost scheduled flights from Debonair and EasyJet. This made it the fastest-growing major airport in the UK. During this period, £30 million was invested in Luton's infrastructure and facilities.
To accommodate this growth, the council issued a 30-year concession contract in 1997 to a public-private partnership consortium, London Luton Airport Operations Limited, to fund an £80 million extension. In 1999, a new £40 million terminal was opened, featuring 60 check-in desks, baggage and flight information systems, and commercial outlets.
In 2018, London Luton Airport saw a record-breaking 16.5 million passengers, making it the fifth busiest airport in the UK. It serves as a base for easyJet, TUI Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, with most routes within Europe. The airport has a range of car hire options and short-term, mid-term, and long-term car parks.
London Luton Airport has efficient transport connections to central London. The Luton DART provides a fast rail service to Luton Airport Parkway station, located just four minutes from the airport. Trains from the airport to central London take as little as 32 minutes. Additionally, the airport offers accessible transport options, including National Express and Green Line coaches, which are wheelchair-friendly.
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Frequently asked questions
London Luton Airport is the fourth or fifth busiest airport in the UK, serving over 16.5 million passengers in 2018. It is one of London's six international airports.
London Luton Airport is located 56km (35 miles) northwest of central London. You can get there by car, train, or bus. The Luton DART train service connects the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station in four minutes, and trains from there to central London take as little as 23 minutes. National Express and Green Line coaches are also available.
London Luton Airport has a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, bars, a currency exchange, and a kids' play area. There are also car hire services and short-term, mid-term, and long-term car parks.
London Luton Airport serves as a base for easyJet, TUI Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. It primarily serves low-cost airlines flying to Europe, with some charter and scheduled routes to Northern Africa and Asia.
London Luton Airport opened in 1938 and served as a base for the Royal Air Force during World War II. Commercial activity resumed in 1952, and by the 1960s, it played a key role in the development of package holidays. The airport underwent significant expansion in the 1990s, with new operators and infrastructure improvements.
