Do you know there are 14 London Private airports?
While Gatwick and Heathrow airports are known to the general public as they are used by commercial flights, little or nothing is known about the smaller airports serving private jets.
There are as many as 14 airports (!) available for private jets in the city of London. From these departure points, you can take off to virtually any destination in the world. You have to think that the skies of London are crossed by almost 80,000 private flights and this explains the considerable choice of private airports.
For those who travel there is, therefore, the possibility of leaving or arriving at points in the city very close to their destination. Or, for those seeking luxury, to use some beautiful airports. Here is the detailed descriptions and maps of London private airports:
1. Luton London Airport
The UK’s Busiest Private Airport
This airport is an excellent choice for those who have the North London area as a landmark. It is also the most used private airport in the city. One of the features that make it famous and probably the fact that it is always open 24/7.
It is located 3 kilometers east of Luton on the M1 motorway and boasts 3 reserved terminals where 30,000 private jets land or take off every year. As this is the most popular private airport in London, there is a wide choice of aircraft ready to go here. Airport costs are also advantageous and easy access to the city of London with a fast train.
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Private Jet Luton Airport – Video
Biz Jets – Business Jets Planespotting Bombardier Gulfstream Dassault
2. Stansted London Airport
Very Popular Choice for BBJs
Stansted Airport offers more choice for private flights as it has larger runways that make it possible for large aircraft such as BBJs (Boeing Business Jets) to take off and land. There are also 5 different terminals for passengers.
Located very close to the M11 motorway, Stansted is about 40 miles from the center of London. It is connected to the city at any time of day or night with all means of transport suitable for everyone.
At the airport, there is a useful executive car service from both the business jets terminal and the main terminal.
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3. Farnborough Airport
The Most Magnificent of London Private Airports
Farnborough is London’s second-largest private airport in terms of passenger numbers but is considered the first in terms of luxury and hospitality. However, it has more expensive airport fares.
This airport is home to many major UK airlines including Gama Aviation, Executive Jet Charter, and Bookajet.
The standard traffic at Farnborough is business jets, although larger aircraft (e.g. Airbus A319CJ or Boeing BBJ) can also use it.
However, except for special periods such as the Airshow, the traffic of these large aircraft is limited: only one BBJ per day can land or take off at Farnborough.
There are also a series of shuttle flights to Warton Aerodrome (Embraer 135) and Walney island (Beechcraft King Air 200) on weekdays.
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4. Stapleford London Airport
A Small Airport for Turboprops Like the Twin Propeller KingAir
This is a fairly small airport that is very much used for Kingair twin-propeller planes.
It is located in the district of Essex and more precisely in the forest of Epping, near the village of Albridge.
The airfield is just within the M25, close to the junction with the M11.
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5. Blackbushe London Airport
Most Cost-Effective London Airport for Short European Flight
This small airport is located in Surrey and is mainly used for short-haul flights in Europe for holiday purposes.
It has a fleet of Cessna Mustangs which offer excellent value for money compared to other private jets.
Here are some quotes for a Blackbushe-Ibiza flight in summer 2020 on the Villiers Jets website:
As you can see the quote for the Cessna Mustang is much lower than that of the other planes.
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6. RAF Northolt Jet Centre
No More Only a Military & Royal Airport…
This is an airport of great quality and luxury with a team specialized in supporting and welcoming passengers. Every aspect of the journey is taken care of in every detail, from the moment the client arrives at the airport to the final departure. Civil traffic at Northolt is limited to 40 flights per day. This also makes it rather exclusive.
Here are some quotes for a Northolt-Ibiza flight in summer 2020 on the Villiers Jets website:
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7. Fairoaks London Airport
Home to 2 resident training schools, also very popular for Wingly
This airport is very well suited for short weekend flights. It is famous for the speed of departures a few minutes after the arrival of the passenger at the terminal.
Having a fairly small runway can only be used by small planes. It is located in a beautiful place southwest of London, in the countryside of Surrey, and is about 30 miles from the city.
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8. Southend London Airport
Best Private Airport Choice for Essex & East London Destinations
At about 36 miles from the center of London, this airport is very well connected to the city by a regular train service between the airport station and Liverpool Street Station.
Before Stansted’s development in the early 1980s, it was London’s third-largest airport in terms of the number of passengers.
Southend Airport as a single 1.856-meter (6.089 ft) long asphalt runway running on a south-west/north-east axis
It can handle flights and passengers even for aircrafts the size of a Boeing 767 and similar.
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9. Biggin Hill London Airport
Historical Airport for a Vintage Arrival to London
Located in southeast London, this airport is very close to the center of London, only 12 miles!
And one of the most popular London’s business places like Canary Wharf is just 11 miles from Biggin Hill. Every destination in this “World City” can be reached quickly thanks to excellent transport services.
The airport is served by many private operators and commercial airlines with the most diverse types of aircraft and it is truly state-of-the-art for private flights.
It is also a training center for pilots and a meeting point for private flight enthusiasts and their clubs.
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10. Gatwick London Airport
Efficient & Stylish Private Jet Terminal
This airport is located in South London, in the county of Sussex about 30 miles from the city.
It turns out to be the second-largest airport in the United Kingdom after Heathrow for the number of passengers. It is also ninth in Europe.
A VIP lounge is available at the terminal for private flights and is described as follows on the official airport page:
For special occasions, long or short haul or everyday business travel, Signature Elite Class offers a unique and luxurious experience with exclusive access to a VIP lounge in a private terminal… Read more
For the newest information about the London-Gatwick Airport, Click Here!
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11. London Oxford Airport
A Good Choice for West London Area or for Traveling North
This airport is suitable for those who have the West London area as their destination, but it is quite far from the center compared to the others.
It is in fact 62 miles away from the city center
However, it must also be said that it is very close to the M40 motorway, which makes it a good choice for those who have to go to the West of the city.
Here the business jets are at home and have a dedicated terminal, organized in such a way that you can get to your plane in a few minutes.
is also great for those who want to head north and avoid the traffic that would find landing in other airports in the English capital.
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12. London City Airport
Just 10 Minutes Away from Canary Wharf
This is the closest airport to the center of London and is only 10 minutes from Canary Wharf. It has excellent service which allows for very fast departures.
The promise is to get private jet passengers off the ground in a record time of 60 seconds…
This is the real-time it takes to cross the private terminal, pass through baggage control and board the plane.
All VIP services at London City Airport are of outstanding quality.
Of course here you will pay more for being so close to the center of London: the airport costs are much higher than in other airports in the English capital. You can even pay £2000 more than at other airports in the area. And that’s for just one flight!
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13. London Cranfield
Great Choice for Northern London Destinations
Like many private airports in London, this was an RAF airfield in World War II. It’s located in Bedfordshire, near the village of Cranfield.
Today it is heavily used for business jets, other private flights, and aeronautical research and development.
The airport is less than 50 miles from London and is well connected to the city.
It is an ideal departure and arrival point if you want to avoid the congestion of larger airports. It’s very busy on days when the Silverston Grand Prix takes place.
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14. Heathrow London Airport
Not the Best Choice for Flying Private
Although this is the largest and most important airport in London, it is not recommended to use it for private flights. The reason? The large number of commercial flights that use this key hub every day.
This means a clogging of the airways for landings and takeoffs. Even private jets will have to queue up at rush hour.
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