Overview of London’s six airports:
Find out which airport fits your plans best.
A Guide to London Airports
Where from?
Where to?
Dates
Passengers & Class
London airports
Discover London's six major international airports serving different parts of the city (and, in a few cases, places that aren’t actually in London). Choosing the right one can save you a lot of time and money, especially once you factor in airport location, transport links, flight routes, and who you’re flying with.
We have all the information you need if you are not familiar with London's airports, as it can easily be confusing. You can easily locate the cheapest flight from London by simply choosing the right airport to fly from.
London airports at a glance
If you are wanting to be in the know about which 6 major airports there are in london then here is their locations and airport codes:
- Heathrow (LHR) – West London
- Gatwick (LGW) – South of London (near Crawley/Horley)
- London City (LCY) – East London (Docklands)
- Luton (LTN) – North of London (Bedfordshire)
- Stansted (STN) – North-east of London (Essex)
- Southend (SEN) – East of London (Essex)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
One of the busiest airports in the world, London Heathrow (LHR) is the UK’s largest and most connected airport. It serves more airlines and international destinations than any other airport in the country, making it a major global gateway between Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Heathrow operates four terminals and offers flights to hundreds of destinations across more than 80 countries.
Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, and also a key base for many international carriers. Because of its strong long-haul network, it’s often the preferred choice for travellers flying to destinations such as the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Some of Heathrow’s busiest routes include major global cities such as New York, Dubai, Dublin, Amsterdam and Hong Kong, highlighting its importance for both business and leisure travel.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The second largest airport in London, it's not geographically in London though. The airport is actually located in a town called Horley, Surrey, which is nearly 30 miles from central London.
The airport used to be the hub for Virgin Atlantic, but the UK carrier suspended all its operations in 2020. It's now a hub for Wizz Air, easyJet and TUi. As a result, it offers a strong network of European city breaks, Mediterranean holiday destinations and seasonal long-haul routes to the Caribbean, North America and beyond.
The airport is particularly popular with leisure travellers due to its wide range of holiday routes and competitive fares.
London Luton Airport (LTN)
London Luton Airport (LTN) is located to the north of London, approximately 28 miles from Central London. While it’s outside Greater London, the airport is well connected to the capital via rail services from Luton Airport Parkway station, with trains to London St Pancras International taking around 30–40 minutes.
Luton primarily serves short-haul European destinations and is particularly popular with travellers looking for low-cost fares. The airport acts as a major base for Wizz Air, easyJet, Ryanair and TUi
Keep in mind passengers should factor in transport time to and from Central London when comparing it with other London airports.
London City Airport (LCY)
London City Airport (LCY) is located east of Central London, close to Canary Wharf, the City of London and the Docklands financial district. Because of its proximity to London’s commercial hubs, London City has a strong focus on business travel, with frequent flights to major European financial centres such as Frankfurt, Zurich, Amsterdam and Geneva.
London City Airport has a single runway and a compact terminal, making it smaller and faster to navigate than Heathrow or Gatwick. However, its short runway and steep approach angle mean that only certain aircraft types are permitted to operate there.
Although long-haul services are limited due to operational constraints, London City is valued for its efficiency, shorter security queues and quick check-in process.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
London Stansted Airport is located 42 miles from Central London. It's another airport that isn't actually located in London. The airport is a hub for Jet2.com, Ryanair, Atmosphere Intercontinental Airlines and TUi.
Stansted is the third-busiest airport serving London, handling over 25 million passengers per year. It plays a significant role in the UK’s short-haul and low-cost travel market and is particularly popular with leisure travellers and those flying to European destinations.
Stansted has a single main terminal, designed with a large open check-in area and a central departure lounge filled with shops and restaurants.
London Southend Airport (SEN)
Southend is the smallest airport in London, with a network of only serving three airlines including Ryanair, Wideroe and Wizz Air. The airport is located 36 miles from the centre of London.
One of the key advantages of Southend Airport is its compact terminal layout, which allows for shorter walking distances, quicker security processing and generally less crowded facilities. However, the limited number of airlines and destinations means that flight choice is more restricted compared to London’s larger airports.
Which London airport should you choose?
✈️ Want the most flight options:
Both London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick LGW) airport have lots of airlines and routes to choose from. If you are considering booking long-haul flights then search for either of these.
💼 Flying for business:
London City Airport (LCY) is often the top choice for business travellers thanks to its close proximity to Canary Wharf and the City of London, shorter security queues and fast terminal experience.
💸 Looking for low fares or short haul:
London Luton (LTN) and London Stansted (STN) are particularly strong options, as both serve as major bases for low-cost airlines. These airports offer an extensive network of European routes, including popular city break destinations
Airport lounges
Heathrow (LHR)
Heathrow has the widest choice of lounges in London, with options across all terminals. There are airline lounges for premium passengers flying with carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Gatwick (LGW)
Gatwick offers several lounges in both the North and South terminals. These lounges are popular with both leisure and business passengers looking for a calmer pre-flight experience.
Luton (LTN) and Stansted (STN)
both offer independent lounges with food, drinks and work areas. Travellers can book access in advance or enter through lounge membership programmes.
London City (LCY)
Has more limited options but provides a comfortable lounge experience suited to business travellers.
Southend (SEN)
Has fewer facilities overall, though its smaller size often means a quicker and quieter airport experience.
Trusted globally
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
FAQ's
Which London airport is cheapest to fly from?
Luton (LTN) and Stansted (STN) are often the cheapest options for short-haul European flights, as they are major bases for low-cost airlines. However, the total cost can vary depending on transport to the airport and baggage fees.
Which London airport is best for long-haul flights?
Heathrow (LHR) is the best option for long-haul travel, with the largest number of intercontinental routes. Gatwick (LGW) also offers some long-haul leisure routes.
Can I use public transport to get to London airports?
Yes. All London airports are connected by public transport, including trains, Underground services, DLR or coach routes. Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted have dedicated express train services into Central London.