London's Main Airport: Where Is It?

London is served by six international airports and several smaller airports, but London Heathrow Airport is the main international airport serving London. Heathrow is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system, and it is also one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located 14 miles west of Central London and is spread across five terminals.

Heathrow Airport: London's main hub and one of the world's busiest airports

Heathrow Airport (LHR) is London's main aviation hub and one of the busiest airports in the world. Located 14 miles west of Central London, it is the largest of the six international airports in the London area, handling over 60% of the UK's air traffic. Heathrow is the primary gateway into the UK for non-European visitors and serves as the base for the flag carrier, British Airways.

History and Development

Heathrow Airport began as a small airfield, known as Great West Aerodrome, in 1929. It was founded on land southeast of the hamlet of Heathrow, which lent its name to the airport. The area consisted of farms, market gardens, and orchards, with a "Heathrow Farm" located near the site of the modern Terminal 2.

During World War II, the development of Heathrow as a much larger airport commenced in 1944, intended for long-distance military aircraft bound for the Far East. By the time the war ended, the UK Government continued developing the site as a civil airport, opening to the public on March 25, 1946, as "London Airport."

Heathrow has gradually expanded over the decades and now boasts two parallel east-west runways, four operational passenger terminals, and one cargo terminal. A third runway and a sixth terminal have been proposed to further enhance the airport's capacity.

Airlines and Destinations

Heathrow Airport is used by over 89 airlines, serving 214 destinations in 84 countries across six continents. The busiest single destination in passenger numbers is New York, with over three million passengers flying between Heathrow and JFK Airport in 2021. Other top destinations include Dubai, Amsterdam, and Paris.

Transport Links

Heathrow is well-connected to Central London and surrounding areas through various transport options:

• Train: The Heathrow Express provides a direct connection to London Paddington station, with a journey time of 15 minutes to Terminals 1, 2, and 3, and an additional 5 minutes to Terminals 4 and 5.
• Underground: The Piccadilly Line on the London Underground serves three tube stations at Heathrow (Terminals 1, 2, and 3; Terminal 4; and Terminal 5), offering a journey time of around 45 minutes to Central London.
• Bus: National Express coach services provide a cheaper alternative, connecting Heathrow to London Victoria coach station. Local buses are also available from Heathrow to various destinations.
• Taxi: Taxi services, including traditional black cabs and ride-sharing options like Uber, are available at Heathrow, although journey times and prices can vary.
• Car: Car rental services are available at Heathrow, providing access to the M4 motorway or A4 road for travel to and from the airport.

Facilities and Amenities

Heathrow Airport offers a wide range of facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of travellers. It has a reputation for feeling like a "shopping mall with an airport attached," with a vast array of shops and restaurants. However, it also provides essential services such as fast-track security, religious prayer rooms, and a resident press corps serving major newspapers and television stations worldwide.

Challenges and Criticisms

While Heathrow is London's main aviation hub, it has faced challenges due to operating at full capacity, resulting in frequent listings as one of the worst-rated airports globally. Expansion projects have been proposed and approved to address these issues, but they have also faced opposition due to environmental concerns and the potential impact on nearby communities.

Additionally, Heathrow has been criticised for issues such as theft from baggage, overcrowding, and delays. The introduction of Terminal 5 in 2008 helped relieve some pressure on terminal facilities, but the airport continues to operate at over 99% capacity.

Heathrow Airport, London's main gateway to the world, is a bustling aviation hub that serves millions of passengers each year. With its extensive transport links, range of facilities, and status as a base for major airlines, Heathrow plays a crucial role in connecting London to the rest of the globe. Despite facing challenges and criticisms, Heathrow remains a vital part of the UK's transport infrastructure, contributing significantly to the country's economy.

Gatwick Airport: London's second-busiest airport, located 30 miles from the city centre

Gatwick Airport is London's second-busiest airport, located almost 30 miles from the city centre. It is the second-busiest single-runway airport in the world, handling flights to more destinations than any other UK airport. It is the main base for easyJet, the UK's largest airline by number of passengers, and is also used by British Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways, TUI Airways, and Wizz Air.

Gatwick Airport has two terminals, North and South, and is connected to the motorway network via the M23. The airport has its own railway station, with Southern and Thameslink trains serving London Victoria and London Bridge stations, respectively. The Gatwick Express shuttle also provides a direct train connection to London Victoria.

Gatwick Airport offers a range of facilities and services for travellers, including shops, restaurants, and lounges. However, due to the abundance of shops, finding a place to sit and relax before boarding your flight can be challenging. The airport has undergone improvements in recent years, particularly in its restaurants.

Gatwick's security processes are generally faster than those at Heathrow, and the airport also features automatic gates at immigration, helping to reduce waiting times. Overall, Gatwick Airport provides a convenient option for travellers, especially those travelling to or from South London and southern England.

Stansted Airport: London's third-busiest airport, with the most scheduled flights to Europe

London Stansted Airport, located in Essex, is London's third-busiest airport. It is also the fourth busiest in the United Kingdom, after Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. Stansted Airport is a major hub for European travel, serving more scheduled European destinations than any other airport in the UK. It also serves destinations in Asia and North Africa.

Stansted Airport is the largest operational base for Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier and the world's largest international airline by the number of international passengers. The airport also serves as a base for other European low-cost carriers.

The airport is located 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Central London and is accessible by various transport options. The Stansted Express train service connects the airport to London's Liverpool Street station, with a journey time of around 45 to 53 minutes. Local bus services also operate to nearby communities, including Harlow, Stansted Mountfitchet, Bishop's Stortford, and Saffron Walden.

Stansted Airport has a wide range of facilities, including car parking options, hotels, restaurants, and shops. The terminal building was designed by Foster and Partners, featuring open canopies that visually connect the landside and airside areas. The design has been recognised as a landmark work of high-tech architecture, challenging conventional airport layouts.

In recent years, Stansted Airport has experienced significant growth and expansion. In 2023, the airport welcomed more than 29 million passengers, and it has received government approval for expansion plans to accommodate up to 43 million passengers annually. The expansion includes a £600 million terminal extension to increase capacity and enhance the passenger experience.

With its convenient location, efficient transport links, and continuous development, Stansted Airport plays a crucial role in connecting London to the rest of Europe and beyond.

Luton Airport: London's fourth-largest airport, located 30 miles from the city centre

Luton Airport is London's fourth-largest airport, located 30 miles from the city centre. It is owned by Luton Rising, a company wholly owned by Luton Borough Council, and operated by London Luton Airport Operations Ltd (LLAOL). The airport is served by several low-cost airlines, including easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and TUI Airways, and is a popular choice for budget travellers.

The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with the Luton DART providing a quick connection between the airport terminal and Luton Airport Parkway station. The journey between the airport and central London can be as fast as 32 minutes by train. Thameslink is the primary rail operator, providing frequent services to St Albans, London, Rainham, Gatwick Airport, and Brighton. Additionally, East Midlands Railway offers semi-fast services to London St Pancras, Corby, Bedford, Wellingborough, and Kettering.

London Luton Airport also offers a range of car hire options and short-term, mid-term, and long-term car parks. The airport has a single, two-storey passenger terminal building with check-in desks, a security screening hall, shops, service counters, and arrivals facilities. The upper floor houses the departures lounge, featuring additional stores, restaurants, and departure gates.

Luton Airport plays a significant role in the history of the package holiday business, contributing to the rise in popularity of foreign holidays in the 1960s. It became the operating base for several charter airlines and, by 1969, one-fifth of all holiday flights from the UK departed from Luton Airport. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, including the addition of a new terminal, baggage handling systems, and runway upgrades.

In 2018, Luton Airport handled over 16.5 million passengers, making it the fifth busiest airport in the UK and the fourth-largest serving the London area. The airport serves as a base for several airlines, offering flights to destinations within Europe, as well as some charter and scheduled routes to Northern Africa and Asia.

London City Airport: London's most convenient airport, located in the Docklands area

London City Airport is the closest airport to central London, located just 6 miles east of the city centre and 3 miles from Canary Wharf. It is one of the most accessible airports in London, with convenient transport links to the city centre. The airport is situated in the Docklands area, in the Royal Docks of the Borough of Newham.

Transport Links

London City Airport has its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects the airport to the city centre, with stations such as Canning Town, Stratford, and Bank. The DLR station is elevated and adjoins the terminal building, making it easily accessible for travellers. Services on the DLR run regularly, every 8 to 15 minutes.

In addition to the DLR, travellers can also take local bus routes 473 and 474 to reach nearby destinations such as Stratford, Silvertown, North Woolwich, and East Beckton. Bus journeys cost £1.55 and can be paid for using an Oyster card, contactless payment, or mobile payment.

For those who prefer taxis, there is a taxi rank outside the terminal, with licensed black cabs and reputable minicab companies available. The London City Airport website provides a price comparison tool for instant quotes on minicab fares.

Terminal Facilities

London City Airport has a small, two-storey passenger terminal building. The ground floor houses the check-in desks, information desks, and other service facilities. The first floor is dedicated to departures, with a security checkpoint leading to the departure lounge, which offers a range of shops, bars, and cafes.

History and Operations

The airport was first proposed in 1981 by Reg Ward, the Chief Executive of the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC), and it was developed by the engineering company Mowlem between 1986 and 1987. The airport officially opened in November 1987, with Queen Elizabeth II presiding over the opening ceremony.

London City Airport has a single runway, which is 1,508 metres long, and a steep approach angle of 5.5 degrees. These dimensions and characteristics limit the types of aircraft that can use the airport to smaller, multi-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Embraer E195-E2, Airbus A220, and A318. The airport also has stringent noise restrictions due to its proximity to residential areas.

The airport is primarily used by business travellers due to its proximity to London's financial district, with destinations such as Luxembourg and Frankfurt. However, in recent years, the number of leisure destinations served has increased, including popular holiday spots like Palma de Mallorca and Málaga.

Future Plans

London City Airport has outlined a master plan for growth up to 2030, with a phased expansion approach. The plan does not propose a second runway but aims to increase the airport's capacity to handle 8 million passengers annually. The expansion includes the construction of additional aircraft parking stands, a new taxiway, and the replacement of the surface car park with a multi-storey one.

London City Airport is a convenient and accessible gateway to London, offering quick connections to the city centre and efficient facilities for travellers. With its proximity to the financial district and increasing leisure destinations, it caters to both business and leisure travellers alike.

Frequently asked questions