Roberta Aguirre
London is served by six international airports, handling over 60% of the UK's air traffic. Heathrow Airport, located 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London, is the largest airport in London and the UK. It has four terminals and two parallel runways. Heathrow is also the busiest airport in London, handling over 80 million passengers annually, and is considered the main gateway into the UK for non-European visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Heathrow Airport |
| Location | London Borough of Hillingdon |
| IATA Airport Code | LHR |
| Distance from Central London | 14 miles (23 kilometres) |
| Number of Terminals | 4 |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Number of Destinations | 171 |
| Number of Airlines | 86 |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 83 million |
| Year of Opening | 1946 |
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What You'll Learn
Heathrow: London's biggest airport
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest airport in London. It is located 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London, covering 4.74 square miles (12.3 square kilometres) of land. Heathrow has four terminals (numbered 2 to 5, with Terminal 1 closing in 2015) and two parallel runways. The airport is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, with over 89 airlines serving 214 destinations in 84 countries.
Heathrow is easily accessible via various transport options. The Heathrow Express to Paddington Station is the quickest route, taking just 15 minutes, although it is also the most expensive option. The London Underground Piccadilly Line is a more affordable choice but will take about an hour. For those driving, Heathrow is connected to Great Britain's motorway network via the M4 and M25 motorways.
Heathrow has a range of shopping and dining options to enhance the airport experience. Passengers can enjoy various cafes, pubs, and restaurants, as well as exclusive shopping services and duty-free shopping. The airport also offers Fast Track security, allowing travellers to save time and start their journey swiftly and stress-free.
Heathrow's history dates back to 1929 when it was a small airfield called Great West Aerodrome. During World War II, development began to transform it into a much larger airport for long-distance military aircraft. The airport opened as London Airport in 1946 and was renamed Heathrow Airport in 1966 to avoid confusion with other London airports. Heathrow has continued to expand over the years, with ongoing plans for further development well into 2030.
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Heathrow's expansion plans
Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in London, handling 70 million passengers in 2012 and 80.1 million in 2018. It is located 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London and has four terminals and two parallel runways.
Heathrow has had a troubled history with expansion attempts. Various projects have been cancelled, and the airport consistently runs at over 99% capacity. However, on 1 July 2015, Heathrow's expansion plan was suggested as the best option by the Airport Commission.
On 25 October 2016, the government approved a new northwest runway and terminal. Heathrow's expansion plans continued well into 2030, including for its Terminal 2. In 2017, Heathrow unveiled another option with the new runway 300m shorter, reducing costs from £16.8 billion to £14.3 billion. This option would still require rerouting the M25 motorway through a tunnel.
In 2020, the UK Supreme Court lifted the ban on the third runway, allowing a planning application to go ahead. However, the plan stalled in 2023 due to post-pandemic falling passenger numbers and investment cost concerns. As of June 2024, the third runway was still planned, with a projected completion date around 2040. In January 2025, the new Labour government confirmed its intention to proceed with the expansion.
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Heathrow's transport links
Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in London, handling 70 million passengers in 2012 and 80.1 million in 2018. Located 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London, Heathrow is connected to Great Britain's motorway network via the M4 and M25 motorways.
Heathrow Airport is well-connected to Central London by rail. The Heathrow Express is a quick and convenient non-stop train service that runs every 15 minutes from all terminals to Paddington Station in just 15 minutes. Tickets for the Heathrow Express start from £15 when booked in advance and can be purchased online or at the airport. The Heathrow Express is the most expensive route into Central London.
The London Underground (the "Tube") is a slower but more affordable option, with trains running every 10 minutes from Heathrow to Central London in under an hour. Prices for the Tube start at £5.50, and tickets can be purchased with a contactless bank card, Oyster card, or at the station.
Heathrow is also served by stopping trains to Paddington, now run by Transportation for London (TfL) but still sometimes referred to by their old name, Heathrow Connect. Tickets for these trains are about half the price of the Heathrow Express, and the journey time is much shorter than the Underground.
In addition to rail, Heathrow is served by coaches that run to Victoria Coach Station and other destinations across the UK. Coaches can be boarded outside Terminal 4, 5, and Heathrow's Central Bus Station, which is a short walk from Terminals 2 and 3. Coach tickets start from £10.
Finally, passengers can also take a black cab or pre-book a mini-cab from outside the terminal. Travel times for cabs vary depending on the destination and time of day, but passengers should allow at least an hour to get from Heathrow to Central London by car.
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London's second-busiest airport
Heathrow Airport, located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the largest of London's airports. It is considered the main gateway to the United Kingdom for non-European visitors.
Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, and is connected to the motorway network via the M23. It has its own railway station, with Southern and Thameslink trains serving London Victoria and London Bridge stations, respectively. There is also a dedicated Gatwick Express shuttle service to and from London Victoria.
Luton Airport, located in Bedfordshire, is London's fourth-largest airport and the fifth-busiest in the United Kingdom. It is served primarily by low-cost carriers easyJet and Wizz Air. Luton Airport Parkway railway station can be reached from London St. Pancras in as little as 22 minutes via East Midlands Railway, while Thameslink offers slower but more frequent services. Luton DART, an automated people mover transit system, connects Luton Airport Parkway to the airport.
London City Airport, located in the London Borough of Newham, is the closest to central London. Its size is limited due to its proximity to the city centre, and it has a single, very short runway with a steep approach angle of 5.5 degrees. The airport is popular among business travellers, with many flights serving destinations across the UK and Northern Europe.
In summary, while Heathrow is London's largest and busiest airport, Gatwick Airport is the second-busiest, followed by Luton and London City Airport.
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London's smaller airports
London is served by a number of airports, with Heathrow being the largest and best-known. However, there are a few smaller airports that also serve the city and are worth considering when travelling to or from London. These smaller airports can often provide a more convenient or cost-effective option for travellers, depending on their specific needs and destinations.
One such airport is London City Airport (LCY). Located in the Docklands area of London, LCY is the closest airport to the city centre and is particularly convenient for those travelling to or from the financial district of Canary Wharf, or the East End. The airport mainly handles short-haul and domestic flights, with a few select long-haul destinations. LCY is known for its quick and efficient transport links to central London, making it a popular choice for business travellers in particular.
Another smaller London airport is London Southend Airport (SEN). SEN is located further out, in the coastal town of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Despite the distance, it is still a convenient option for those in East London or travelling to destinations in Essex and the surrounding areas. The airport has good transport links, including a direct rail connection to London Liverpool Street station. SEN handles a mix of scheduled and charter flights to European destinations.
London Biggin Hill Airport (BQH) is a smaller, private airport located in the borough of Bromley. This airport mainly caters to business jets, private flights, and aviation enthusiasts. It has a rich history, having served as a Royal Air Force base during World War II. Today, it is a popular choice for those seeking a more exclusive and luxurious flying experience, with a range of executive aviation services on offer.
Lastly, London Oxford Airport (OXF) is located outside of London in the city of Oxford. While it is not directly in London, it is still a convenient option for those in the north-west of the city or those combining a trip to London with a visit to Oxford. The airport caters to private and business jets, as well as offering scheduled flights to a small number of European destinations. OXF provides a quiet and efficient alternative to London's larger, busier airports.
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Frequently asked questions
Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in London.
Heathrow Airport has four terminals, numbered 2 to 5. Terminal 1 closed in 2015.
Heathrow Airport has two parallel runways.
Heathrow Airport is located 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London.
The Heathrow Express to Paddington Station is the quickest route, taking just 15 minutes. The London Underground on the Piccadilly Line is a cheaper option but will take an hour.
