Lois Larson
London is served by six international airports and several smaller airports, constituting the busiest airport system in the world by passenger numbers. Heathrow Airport, located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the largest airport in London and the busiest airport in the UK. Other major airports in London include Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport, Luton Airport, London City Airport, and Southend Airport. These airports offer various transport options to and from Central London, including train, bus, and taxi services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 6 international airports and several smaller airports |
| Passenger Numbers | 177,054,818 (as of 2018) |
| Domestic Destinations | 14 |
| International Destinations | 396 |
| Busiest Airport | Heathrow Airport |
| Second Busiest Airport | Gatwick Airport |
| Closest Airport to Central London | London City Airport |
| Distance from Central London | Heathrow: 15 miles; Gatwick: 28 miles; Stansted: 40 miles; Luton: 35 miles; London City: 4 miles; Southend: 36 miles |
| Transport Options | Trains, buses, taxis, underground trains, light rail services |
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What You'll Learn
- Heathrow Airport: The UK's busiest airport, located 15 miles from Central London
- Gatwick Airport: The second busiest airport in London, 28 miles south of the city
- London City Airport: Located in the heart of London, close to the financial district
- Luton Airport: London's fourth-largest airport, 35 miles north of Central London
- Southend Airport: 36 miles from Central London, used by budget airlines
Heathrow Airport: The UK's busiest airport, located 15 miles from Central London
Heathrow Airport, located 14 to 20 miles west of Central London, is the UK's largest and busiest airport, as well as being the busiest airport in Europe and the seventh busiest in the world based on passenger traffic. Approximately 80 to 89 airlines fly from Heathrow, taking passengers to over 180 to 214 destinations in 84 countries. The airport is the primary hub for British Airways and the main operating base of Virgin Atlantic. Heathrow Airport is spread across four terminals (2, 3, 4, and 5), each with shops, restaurants, currency exchanges, information points, accommodation desks, and left luggage facilities. The Heathrow Airport Arrivals hall is on the ground floor of Terminals 3, 4, and 5, and on the first floor of Terminal 2. Heathrow is easily accessible from Central London by train, Tube, taxi, coach, or local bus. The Heathrow Express to London Paddington is the fastest way to travel between Heathrow Airport and central London, taking 15 to 20 minutes. Elizabeth line trains also run to major central London stations and beyond, departing from Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, and 5. London Underground services leave Heathrow every few minutes from approximately 5:20 am to 11:40 pm. National Express runs frequent coach services from Heathrow's terminals and the airport's central bus station to Victoria Coach Station, taking 50 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
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Gatwick Airport: The second busiest airport in London, 28 miles south of the city
London is served by six international airports, with Heathrow being the largest and Gatwick the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. Located 28 miles south of London in West Sussex, Gatwick Airport is easily accessible by road and rail.
Gatwick Airport is well-connected to London and the South East, with direct trains to over 120 stations and a journey time of just 30 minutes to London's Victoria Station. The airport is linked to the M23 motorway at Junction 9 and the A23 Brighton road, offering convenient access for those travelling by car. Additionally, the airport's coach and bus network connects travellers to over 100 cities and towns, providing a more affordable travel option.
Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, and handles flights to more destinations than any other UK airport. It serves as the main base for easyJet, the UK's largest airline by passenger numbers, as well as British Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways, TUI Airways, and Wizz Air. The airport's efficient design by Yorke Rosenberg Mardall between 1955 and 1988 has contributed to its success.
The history of Gatwick Airport dates back to the late 1920s when the land was first developed as an aerodrome. Commercial flights were approved in 1933, and the airport was taken over by the military during World War II, known then as RAF Gatwick. After the war, it resumed its civilian role, and the airport was officially built and opened in 1956.
Gatwick Airport has continued to grow and evolve, with various airlines dominating its operations over the years, including British United Airways, Caledonian Airways, and British Airways. Today, it remains a crucial hub for air travel in and out of London, offering a range of amenities and services to ensure a pleasant travel experience for its millions of annual passengers.
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London City Airport: Located in the heart of London, close to the financial district
London is served by six international airports and several smaller airports. London City Airport is one of the smaller airports, located in the heart of London, about six miles (10 kilometres) east of the City of London and three to five miles from Canary Wharf. These are the two centres of London's financial industry, which is a major user of the airport. London City Airport is the closest airport to central London, and it's easily accessible by Tube, bus or taxi.
London City Airport is situated in London's Docklands, in the Borough of Newham. The airport has a single runway, which is very short, and a steep approach at a 5.5° angle. Only the smallest aircraft are permitted to use the airport, which initially prevented all long-haul flights. The airport is often used by business travellers, with many flights serving destinations across the UK and northern Europe.
London City Airport is easily accessible by public transport. The airport has its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects to Canning Town, Stratford and Bank stations. Services run every four to 10 minutes. The DLR was the UK's first fully accessible railway for wheelchair users. Every DLR station platform has lifts, escalators or ramps, and all platforms are level with the trains for step-free access. All DLR trains have designated wheelchair areas.
London City Airport is also accessible by bus. Local bus routes serving the airport include the 473, which travels to Stratford, Silvertown, North Woolwich and Prince Regent DLR station. Taxis are also available at London City Airport. The cost of the journey is metered and displayed inside the cab. It is recommended to only use a licensed black cab or a reputable minicab company and never use unauthorised drivers.
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Luton Airport: London's fourth-largest airport, 35 miles north of Central London
London Luton Airport (IATA: LTN, ICAO: EGGW) is an international airport located in Luton, England, situated 1.7 miles (2.7 km) east of the town centre. It is 35 miles (56km) north-west of Central London and is the fourth-largest airport serving London. The airport is owned by London Luton Airport Limited, a company wholly owned by Luton Borough Council, and operated by London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL).
Luton Airport was opened on 16 July 1938 and was used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. Commercial activity resumed in 1952, and by the 1960s, the airport played a significant role in the package holiday business. During this time, one-fifth of all holiday flights from the UK departed from Luton Airport. An expansion plan was initiated in the late 1970s to accommodate up to 5 million passengers annually.
In the 1990s, new operators such as MyTravel Group and low-cost airlines like Debonair and EasyJet began operating at Luton, leading to a rapid increase in passenger numbers. This made Luton the fastest-growing major airport in the UK. In 1999, a new £40 million terminal was opened, featuring 60 check-in desks, baggage and flight information systems, and commercial outlets.
Today, Luton Airport remains a major base for low-cost airlines, serving over 145 destinations. It offers various parking options, car rental services, and accessible transport connections to Central London. Passengers can reach Central London in approximately 32 minutes via the Luton Airport Express train service or through coach services provided by National Express and Green Line.
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Southend Airport: 36 miles from Central London, used by budget airlines
London, England, is served by six international airports and several smaller airports. London Southend Airport is one of the six major airports in London. It is an international airport situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England, approximately 36 miles (58 kilometres) from the centre of London. The airport straddles the boundaries between the city of Southend-on-Sea and the Rochford District. Southend Airport has a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (London Southend Airport Company Limited).
Southend Airport has a rich history, dating back to World War I when it was built by the British Air Force. During World War II, it was known as RAF Rochford and played a crucial role in housing Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters, as well as the Bristol Blenheim fighter. In 1946, the airfield was decommissioned, and a year later, in 1947, it returned to civil aviation as Southend Municipal Airport. The airport has since undergone rebranding, with the term "Municipal" being dropped from its name.
Southend Airport offers convenient transport options to and from Central London. The modern, purpose-built train station is just a short walk from the terminal, providing easy access to the rail network. Additionally, local buses, such as the Ensign Jetlink, connect the airport to various locations in London. The airport also boasts four official on-site car parks that are secure and open 24 hours a day for added convenience.
Southend Airport has a unique advantage due to its location, boasting an excellent weather record. This makes it a go-to diversion alternative when adverse weather conditions or incidents cause other London airports to close. The airport is also home to various businesses, including aircraft maintenance services, flying clubs, and an airport-owned hotel, employing around 450 workers.
Several airlines have used Southend Airport as their base or for specific operations. easyJet, for example, began operating services from Southend in April 2012. Additionally, Irish carrier Aer Lingus Regional started regular flights to Dublin from the airport. With its convenient location, transport options, and historical significance, Southend Airport plays a vital role in serving travellers heading to and from London.
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Frequently asked questions
Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in London and the UK. It is also the third busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers.
Heathrow Airport is located about 15 miles from Central London.
You can get from Heathrow Airport to Central London by train, bus, or taxi. The Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line trains connect the airport to London Paddington station. London Underground trains on the Piccadilly line also connect the airport to other Central London destinations.
London City Airport is the closest airport to Central London. It is located in the London Borough of Newham, about four miles from Canary Wharf.
In addition to Heathrow and London City Airport, there are four other major airports in London: Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Southend.
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