Jazmin Li
London, England is served by six international airports and several smaller airports, making it the busiest airport system in the world by passenger numbers. The six international airports are Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Southend, and London City Airport. Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in London and is located 14-23 kilometres west of Central London. Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in London and is located about 28-47 kilometres south of London. Luton Airport is popular among budget travellers. London City Airport is located in the heart of London, close to the financial district, and is the closest airport to central London. Southend Airport is located about 36 miles from the centre of London and is used by budget airlines. Stansted Airport is located about 40 miles outside Central London.
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What You'll Learn
- Heathrow Airport: London's busiest airport, located 14-15 miles from Central London
- London City Airport: Closest airport to Central London, situated in London's Docklands
- Gatwick Airport: The second busiest airport in London, 28-47km south of the city
- Southend Airport: Serviced by Abellio Greater Anglia trains, 36 miles from Central London
- Luton Airport: A popular airport for budget travellers, located 35-45km north of London
Heathrow Airport: London's busiest airport, located 14-15 miles from Central London
Heathrow Airport is London's largest and busiest airport, located 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London. It is also the busiest airport in Europe and the seventh busiest in the world based on passenger traffic. Heathrow Airport is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It is also a base for over 89 other airlines flying to 214 destinations in 84 countries. The airport is located in the London borough of Hillingdon and has two runways and four operational terminal buildings.
Heathrow Airport began in 1929 as a small airfield called Great West Aerodrome, on land southeast of the hamlet of Heathrow from which the airport takes its name. At that time, the land consisted of farms, market gardens, and orchards. The development of the entire Heathrow area into a much larger airport began in 1944 during World War II. It was intended for long-distance military aircraft bound for the Far East. The airport was opened on 25 March 1946 as London Airport and was renamed Heathrow Airport in September 1966.
The airport has been gradually expanded over 75 years and now covers 4.74 square miles (12.3 square kilometres). It is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Hounslow, 3 miles (5 km) south of Hayes, and 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Staines-upon-Thames. Heathrow is surrounded by several villages and neighbourhoods, including Sipson, Harlington, Harmondsworth, Longford, Cranford, and Hatton.
Heathrow Airport has a range of facilities for passengers, including cafés, pubs, restaurants, and exclusive shopping services. The airport also offers fast-track security and transport links to various destinations in the UK. It provides multi-faith prayer rooms and counselling rooms in each terminal, as well as St. George's Interdenominational Chapel for Christian services. Heathrow Airport has a resident press corps, consisting of photographers and a TV crew, serving major newspapers and television stations worldwide.
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London City Airport: Closest airport to Central London, situated in London's Docklands
London City Airport (IATA: LCY, ICAO: EGLC) is an international airport situated in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, London, England. It is located about 6 miles (10 kilometres) east of the City of London and 3 miles (5 kilometres) east of Canary Wharf, which are London's two financial centres. The airport is easily accessible via the London Underground network, with its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The DLR connects the airport to nearby locations such as Canning Town, Stratford, and Bank stations, with services running every 4 to 10 minutes. Local bus routes serving the airport include the 473 and 474, providing connections to various destinations in London.
London City Airport is also accessible by taxi, with licensed black cabs and reputable minicab companies operating from the airport. For travellers seeking luxury, private transfer services are available. The airport is wheelchair-accessible, with dedicated staff to assist travellers with accessibility needs. The Docklands Light Railway was the UK's first fully accessible railway for wheelchair users, with features such as lifts, escalators, ramps, and level platforms for step-free access.
The airport has a single 1,508-metre-long (4,948 ft) runway and handles a significant number of passenger movements. In 2019, it saw 5.1 million passengers, making it the fifth-busiest airport in the London area. The airport caters to multi-engine, fixed-wing aircraft up to Embraer E195-E2, Airbus A220, and A318 size. It has a steep glide path of 5.5°, allowing a larger range of aircraft to serve the airport.
London City Airport has a range of nearby accommodation options, including the Courtyard by Marriott London City Airport, which is within walking distance of the terminal. Other accommodations can be found around Canary Wharf and the Excel London exhibition centre. The airport also has parking available for those who need it. Overall, London City Airport, located in the heart of London's Docklands, provides a convenient and accessible gateway to the city of London.
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Gatwick Airport: The second busiest airport in London, 28-47km south of the city
Gatwick Airport, located 28-47km south of London, is the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It is conveniently positioned just outside the town of Crawley in West Sussex and is easily accessible by multiple modes of transportation. Gatwick Airport started as an aerodrome in the late 1920s to 1930s before its official opening in 1956 to 1958. Today, the airport consists of two terminals, North and South, serving over 40 million passengers annually.
Gatwick Airport boasts excellent connectivity to London and the surrounding areas. It is well-linked by road, with direct access to the M23 at Junction 9 and the A23 Brighton road. The airport has a dedicated taxi service, Airport Cars Gatwick, operating from both terminals. Additionally, a comprehensive coach and bus network connects the airport to over 100 cities and towns.
When it comes to rail transport, Gatwick Airport is a pioneer. It was the world's first airport with a direct mainline train link and its own dedicated train station. The airport offers direct train connections to over 120 stations, with central London just 30 minutes away. Trains run frequently, aiming to depart every two and a half to four minutes. The airport also provides easy access to more than 700 stations with just one change.
Gatwick Airport caters to a wide range of passengers, including those travelling for business or holiday. It serves as the secondary London hub for British Airways and is the largest operating base for easyJet. The airport has a variety of facilities, including a conference and business centre, on-site and off-site hotels, and religious services with multi-faith prayer and counselling rooms in each terminal.
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Southend Airport: Serviced by Abellio Greater Anglia trains, 36 miles from Central London
London, England, is served by six international airports and several smaller airports. Southend Airport is one of the smaller airports serving London. It is located 36 miles from Central London and is conveniently accessible by train.
The Southend Airport railway station is served by Abellio Greater Anglia trains, which connect the airport to London Liverpool Street station. The train journey to London takes about one hour, with six peak trains running per hour. The train station is just a two-minute walk from the airport terminal, making it a convenient option for travellers.
Greater Anglia is the rail provider within East Anglia and operates the train service between Southend Airport and London Liverpool Street or Stratford. The journey from Central London to Southend Airport takes approximately 55 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the week. The train service offers a fast and efficient way to travel to and from the airport, with additional services during peak times.
In addition to the train service, there are other transport options available for travellers to and from Southend Airport. The airport can be reached by bus, with the X30 bus running hourly and the number 9 bus departing every 12 minutes. Taxi services are also available, with taxi ranks located outside Southend Central station, providing a quick transfer to the airport.
Southend Airport is a convenient option for travellers looking for easy access to London. With frequent train services and various transport options, travellers can easily navigate between the airport and Central London. The airport's proximity to London makes it a viable choice for those travelling to or from the city.
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Luton Airport: A popular airport for budget travellers, located 35-45km north of London
London Luton Airport (IATA: LTN, ICAO: EGGW) is an international airport located in Luton, England, around 1.7 miles (2.7 km) east of Luton town centre. It is situated 35-45km north of London, with a journey time of around 32 minutes by train. Luton Airport is a popular choice for budget travellers, with many low-cost airlines offering cheap flights based at the airport. It is the fourth-busiest airport serving London and the fifth busiest in the UK.
Luton Airport has a long history, with an airport first opening on the site in 1938. During World War II, it was used by the Royal Air Force, and in the 1960s, it played a key role in the development of the package holiday business. By 1969, a fifth of all holiday flights from the UK departed from Luton. The airport has since been expanded and modernised, with a range of facilities for passengers.
The airport has a single, two-storey passenger terminal building with a main hall, security screening hall, shops, service counters, and arrivals facilities on the ground floor. The upper floor features a departures lounge with stores, restaurants, and 30 departure gates. Luton Airport also has a range of parking options, including priority parking, short-term, mid-stay, and long-stay car parks.
Travellers can easily access Luton Airport by rail, with the Luton DART providing a shuttle service to Luton Airport Parkway station in just four minutes. From there, regular trains connect to central London, including the Luton Airport Express to St Pancras International with a journey time of 23 minutes. National Express and Green Line also operate bus and coach services to key UK locations, including 24-hour services to London.
With its convenient location, efficient transport connections, and range of facilities, Luton Airport is a popular choice for travellers seeking budget-friendly options when flying to or from London.
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Frequently asked questions
London, England has six major international airports: Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Southend, and London City Airport. There are also several smaller domestic airports in the city.
Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in London and the UK, serving over 80 million passengers every year. It is also the main hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Southend Airport is located about 36 miles (57.93 kilometres) from the centre of London.
