How many airports does London have?

Air Travel

By Caroline Lascom

How many airports does London have?

London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. As a major global city, it has several airports that serve both domestic and international flights. In total, London has six airports, with Heathrow being the busiest and most popular.

London’s main international airport: Heathrow

Heathrow Airport is the largest and busiest airport in London, located in the west of the city. It serves as the main hub for British Airways and is one of the busiest airports in the world. With four terminals, it handles more than 80 million passengers annually and offers flights to destinations across the globe. Heathrow also offers exceptional facilities, including numerous shops, restaurants, and lounges, and is well-connected to the city via public transport.

London’s second busiest airport: Gatwick

Gatwick is London’s second busiest airport, located in the south of the city. It serves as a hub for several low-cost airlines, including easyJet and Ryanair, and offers flights to over 200 destinations worldwide. With two terminals, Gatwick handles around 46 million passengers annually and offers excellent facilities to make your travel experience comfortable and enjoyable.

London’s third airport: Stansted

Stansted is London’s third airport, located in the northeast of the city. It serves as a hub for several low-cost airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet, and offers flights to over 170 destinations across the globe. With one terminal, Stansted handles around 28 million passengers annually and offers excellent facilities, including shops, restaurants, and lounges.

London’s fourth airport: Luton

Luton Airport is London’s fourth airport, located in the north of the city. It is a hub for several low-cost airlines, including easyJet and Ryanair, and offers flights to over 150 destinations worldwide. With one terminal, Luton handles around 16 million passengers annually and offers excellent facilities, including shops, restaurants, and lounges.

London’s fifth airport: London City

London City Airport is London’s fifth airport, located in the east of the city. It specializes in short-haul flights and offers flights to over 50 destinations across Europe. With one terminal, London City handles around 5 million passengers annually and offers excellent facilities, including shops, restaurants, and lounges.

Other airports in London: Southend and Biggin Hill

In addition to the above airports, London also has two smaller airports: Southend and Biggin Hill. Southend Airport is located in the east of the city and offers flights to several European destinations, while Biggin Hill Airport is located in the south of the city and primarily serves private flights.

The future of London’s airports: expansion plans

All of London’s airports are undergoing expansion plans to meet the growing demand for air travel. Heathrow is currently building a third runway, while Gatwick is planning a second runway. Stansted is also undergoing expansion, with plans to increase its capacity to 50 million passengers annually by 2030. Luton and London City are also undergoing expansion plans to meet the growing demand for air travel.

How to choose which London airport to fly into

When choosing which London airport to fly into, there are several factors to consider, including the cost, location, and the airlines that serve the airport. For example, if you are looking for low-cost flights, then Gatwick or Luton may be the best option. If you are looking for a convenient location, then Heathrow or London City may be the best choice.

Conclusion: London’s airport options

London has a variety of airports to choose from, each offering excellent facilities and services to make your travel experience comfortable and enjoyable. Whether you are flying for business or leisure, there is an airport in London that will suit your needs. With ongoing expansion plans, London’s airports will continue to grow and develop to meet the increasing demand for air travel.

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Caroline Lascom

Caroline is a seasoned travel writer and editor, passionate about exploring the world. She currently edits captivating travel content at TravelAsker, having previously contributed her exceptional skills to well-known travel guidebooks like Frommer’s, Rough Guides, Footprint, and Fodor’s. Caroline holds a bachelor's degree in Latin American studies from Manchester University (UK) and a master's degree in literature from Northwestern University. Having traveled to 67 countries, her journeys have fueled her love for storytelling and sharing the world's wonders.

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