London airports. Which London airport to choose: Heathrow or Gatwick? How many airports are there in London? What is the name of the airport in England
London is the largest center for air travel. After all, it is no coincidence that this metropolis was given the name: "The main gate of Great Britain." In 2005, 150 million passengers passed through its six airports.
The composition of the capital's airport terminals includes:
- Heathrow.
- Gatwick.
- Stansted.
- Luton.
- Southend.
The first two terminals on this list serve domestic and European flights. Aircraft assigned to Stansted and Luton are more commonly used on European and domestic routes. Most of them are economy class aircraft. The city air terminal serves businessmen who fly domestically. The nearest airport to the center of the English capital is located near the City of London - just ten kilometers away. This is the Docklands business district. You can get here by train in 20 minutes.
The most famous air harbor
The airport in London - Heathrow and other airport terminals built within the borders of the English capital are approximately the same distance from the central area of the city: 25 kilometers. With 70 million passengers passing through Heathrow every year, this airport has become the busiest airport in Europe.
Two runways for takeoffs and landings of liners, as well as 5 terminals are conveniently located in the western part of the metropolis.
The last fifth point of the buffer accumulation of passengers at London's Heathrow Airport was put into operation relatively recently: in 2008. Its cost was 4 billion euros. It is connected to the central part of the metropolis by the Piccadilly line of the city subway and the railway line. The airport can also be reached by private cars and taxis via the M4 and M25 motorways. The exact location of the airport is the Hillingdon area. This is the largest airport terminal in the UK, and in terms of workload, it has no equal.
According to the concentration of passenger traffic, it is recognized as the third in the world. This air harbor serves the majority of international passenger flights and is the personal property of the BIA company. Initially, this terminal had 6 runways at its disposal. However, now there are only two of them left, but all five terminals have been preserved. For the construction of the airport complex, a plot of over 12 square kilometers was allocated.
Terminal No5 was opened in spring 2008. The ribbon was cut by Queen Elizabeth II on March 14. However, the first passengers visited this facility on 27 March.
Heathrow airport. London. Terminal No5
The construction of another terminal, Heathrow East, was completed in 2012. Terminals 3 and 4 underwent a major overhaul and modernization. Construction of the third runway began in the winter of 2009. A command and control tower was built with an area of 87 m2 for 50 million euros. His protection was taken over by members of the aviation security department of the Metropolitan Police. Despite this, army units are sometimes sent here. This event is carried out in order to enhance the security of the facility.
There are always representatives of different religions - Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Islamic and others. Each terminal is equipped with a prayer room. Christian services are also read here, for which the Chapel of St. George was organized in an underground bunker. Priests gather passengers to invite them to go to the prayer rooms.
Airport Gatwick
Despite the fact that London's main airport is Heathrow, the other four air harbors are also in high demand and are always busy. One such airport is Gatwick. It is located in Sussex. It is four dozen kilometers from the capital of Great Britain. The distance from the city border is quite insignificant. Despite the fact that there is only one runway, London Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the world. It sends and receives at least 30 million passengers a year. The airport is connected to the capital by rail links: Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink. The M23 motorway is in close proximity.
The names of London airports have long become familiar to Russian tourists. Even Gatwick is known to all travelers from Russia. It is involved in two hundred directions. More than 265,000 airliners take off and land from its one runway every year. Since Heathrow does not serve charter companies, Gatwick Airport took over this function. It includes the North and South terminals. Due to the fact that they are located at a certain distance from each other, light metro electric trains run between them, transporting passengers free of charge.
South terminal. It was commissioned in 2009. Most often used on flights of budget airlines. North terminal. His permanent company is British Airways, as well as members of the Oneworld alliance. It is intended for regular flights.
UK metropolitan airports on the map
Today, London airports on the map look much more solid than in former times. Perhaps this is due to new technologies for compiling such documents. The most remote from the English capital, the Stansted air terminal, is located fifty kilometers from the city. There is only one terminal and one runway. Despite this, its annual passenger traffic is 20 million people. Most often, this air harbor serves tourist flights within the country. It is connected to the city by the Stansted Express railway line and the M11 motorway.
This terminal is the main base airport for low-cost airlines in Europe. In the top five in terms of workload, it occupies the third line.
Despite the only terminal, Stansted Airport sends its aircraft to 150 destinations in 32 countries. It is used by 14 airlines.
Thanks to the spacious terminal, 125 check-in counters are dispersed here. The airport has a large number of shops, restaurants and bars. Sales of new collections of fashionable clothes and shoes, jewelry, designer glasses, spirits and other goods are regularly arranged.
Additional services and free drinks
First class passengers are offered VIP lounges for an additional fee. Here you can relax comfortably in large comfortable chairs. A whole network of pavilions and kiosks offers tourists hundreds of various souvenirs. Wi-Fi is available on the territory of the terminal, you can also spend time in an Internet cafe. In the departure hall, passengers are greeted by a huge screen on which the latest car models are advertised. For fans of takeoffs and landings of airliners, there are tables near large windows overlooking the runway.
Overview of Luton Terminal
Thanks to the huge number of tourists traveling around the world these days, many now know how many airports there are in London. There are six terminals in total, one of which is Luton. Its distance from the capital is 45 km. It is connected to the city by the M1 motorway and the Fest Capital Connect railway. The airport includes a terminal and a not too long runway. His clients are ordinary tourists flying in economy class.
In 2004, work began on changing the location of the halls, as well as their modernization. The exits in the international terminal have been changed. On the ground floor, where the territory was not used, with an area of 800 m2, which has also now been used. The new pier was extended by 200 meters. The main part of the aircraft stands is located near the northern side of the terminal. The platform is surrounded by a continuous chain of hangars and other structures. Here airport employees maintain and repair airliners of several airlines. Luton Airport is owned by the municipality and is owned by the City Council.
The smallest airport
Another significant airport is Southend. The smallest among London air terminals. In the old days, it was just an airfield without a terminal. It is more often used for regional communications, where small aircraft are used. However, the modern runway is quite wide and long. It is designed for takeoffs and landings of such huge airliners as Boeing 757 and Airbus A321. Despite this, charter flights used by businessmen are more often used here. This area is famous for the fact that there is always flying weather. Due to this, flights from Stansted and London City are often transferred here.
Expected development of London City Air Harbor
London City Airport is equipped with one short runway, 1500 meters long. In this regard, it is capable of accepting exceptionally small aircraft that do not require too long acceleration to take off. This terminal often serves the business districts of London. It is located in the Docklands and ranks fifth in the list of the largest international airports in London. If we consider it against the backdrop of the whole of Great Britain, then London City Airport is one of the smallest airports in the country. However, it already has a development plan until 2030.
It will be expanded in stages, creating the largest capacity, which will amount to 8 million people annually. The construction of a second runway is not included in the plan. However, due to the favorable location of the terminal, it is popular among businessmen and officials of all ranks. The unusual location and modern design of the terminal make the airport one of the most interesting terminals in the world. The average annual passenger traffic is three million people.
Business Aviation at Biggin Hill
In the south of the capital there is another small air terminal - Biggin Hill. His duties do not include maintenance of regular flights. Here, pilots are engaged in training flights, are instructed, and employees serve business aviation. This is an active British military airfield. It is equipped with two runways, the longest of which is 1800 meters. This is enough to take on huge giant airliners: the Airbus A320, as well as the Boeing 737.
Despite the fact that regular flights are prohibited here, Biggin Hill Airport is constantly used by business aviation. It provides for a passenger terminal with its own infrastructure - a cafe, a waiting room, immigration and customs control. Near the squadron headquarters is the brick chapel of St. George. It was erected in 1951. Before it, there was a small Christian wooden building, which was damaged by fire, but partially survived. Biggin Hill Airport is surrounded by memorial park.
The South Camp was given power in the 50s and now it is a whole system of hangars with a modern modernized office. In addition, aviation schools and flying clubs have found shelter here. Biggin Hill Airfield is home to a large number of light private aircraft. Various air shows are held here every year.
There are six main airports in London itself, occupying certain places in the congestion rating. In addition to them, there are several secondary terminals and airfields without passenger terminals. However, they are not very popular among tourists. Some are located in areas that are inconvenient to get to, others do not have normal infrastructure. In the old days (several decades ago), Croydon Airport was London's main airport. It ceased to exist in 1952. This was due to the transfer of all flights to Heathrow, as well as to Gatwick and Northolt. In those days, these airports were equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable waiting for the departure of aircraft.
In contact with
- the identity card specified in the order,
- birth certificate when traveling with children,
- printed itinerary receipt (optional).
What can you take on a plane
Hand luggage is the items that you take with you on the plane. The carry-on baggage allowance can vary from 5 to 10 kg, and its size most often should not exceed the sum of three dimensions (length, width and height) from 115 to 203 cm (depending on the airline). A handbag is not considered hand luggage and is carried freely.
The bag that you take with you on the plane should not contain knives, scissors, medicines, aerosols, cosmetics. Alcohol from duty free shops can only be carried in sealed bags.
How to pay for luggage at the airport
If the baggage weight exceeds the norms established by the airline (most often - 20-23 kg), you need to pay for each kilogram of excess. In addition, many Russian and foreign airlines, as well as low-cost airlines, have tariffs that do not include free baggage allowance and must be paid separately as an additional service.
Baggage must be checked in at the airport at a separate drop-off check-in desk. If you are unable to print your boarding pass, you can get it at the regular check-in counter of the airline, and check in and check in your luggage there.
Where to find out the arrival time if you are a greeter
You can find out the time of arrival of the aircraft on the online scoreboard of the airport. The Tutu.ru website has an online scoreboard of the main Russian and foreign airports.
You can find out the exit (gate) number on the arrivals board at the airport. This number is located next to the arrival flight information.
What to do if the flight is canceled
If the flight was canceled more than 24 hours before departure, then passengers are transferred to similar flights of the airline. The costs are borne by the carrier, the service is free for the passenger. If none of the options offered by the airline suits you, most airlines can issue a "forced refund". After confirmation by the airline, the money will be returned to your account. Sometimes this may take several weeks.
How to check in at the airport
Online check-in is available on the websites of most airlines. Most often, it opens 23 hours before the start of the flight. You can go through it no later than 1 hour before the departure of the aircraft.
To check in at the airport you will need:
London is the largest air travel hub in the world. For example, last year more than one hundred and eighty million people took off from here and landed here. But not everyone knows how many airports there are in London. It turns out that there are six, although many of them have not even heard of some of them, since they do not serve regular passenger flights.
This world-famous air transport hub provides transportation on long-distance, European and domestic flights. London is considered the busiest in Europe. Its average permeability is more than seventy million passengers a year. Two runways, five terminals, the last of which, worth more than four billion euros, was opened in 2008, are located on the western border of the English capital - in London's Hillingdon. The area is connected to the city center by the Heathrow Express rail service, as well as by the Heathrow Connect, a local rail line. In addition, the capital can be reached on the London Underground along the Piccadilly line. Two pass by - M25 and M4.
Heathrow Airport (London) serves long-distance as well as European and domestic flights. Among all six air, it is the largest. However, Heathrow Airport is considered the busiest. London, more precisely its central regions, is located twenty-two kilometers to the east. The site on which this airport was built was supposed to be part of the forested area of the English capital.
This London airport is the third largest in the world in terms of passenger traffic density. It is on it that the main burden of servicing international flights lies.
Gatwick Airport (London)
It is located at some distance from the border of the city, in the county of Sussex. Gatwick has only one runway. Its two terminals serve an average of thirty million passengers annually. From this airport, both domestic and short-haul flights are operated. It is connected to the capital by the Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Southern lines. The M23 motorway passes directly next to it. From Gatwick airport to London, which lies forty kilometers away, can be reached in a maximum of half an hour.
Gatwick is ranked twenty-fifth in the world in terms of the number of passengers passing through it per year, and in terms of the number of foreigners transported, it is in fifth place. This London airport is the world's busiest airport with only one runway.
This air transport hub is managed by a large company BAA, which is part of an international consortium. At the moment, it is she who owns all British airports, including Gatwick Airport.
London receives most of its guests through these transport gates. In addition, Gatwick is also used as a base for charter flights. Many international and local airlines land on its only runway.
stansted
Stansted is the most distant airport from the British capital. It is located in Essex, fifty kilometers north of. Just like Gatwick, it has one runway and one terminal. Stansted serves about twenty million people a year. From here, mainly short or domestic flights are operated. This London airport is connected to it by the Stansted Express railway line and the M11 motorway.
The Stansted terminal has three satellites. Two are connected to the main one by a bridge, and the third has a transit system. The building was built by Foster Associates. A feature of its design is a "floating" roof, fixed to the frame with pipes that create a stylized image of a flying swan. Inside each structure there are communications that provide air conditioning, telephone communications and electricity. The layout of the terminal is designed to allow arriving passengers to move freely towards the car park. At the same time, the mourners do not have the opportunity to observe the departure. This is due to the security requirements that the airport implies.
London, Luton
It is located approximately fifty kilometers northwest of the capital, with which it is connected by the M1 highway and rail links. Fest Capital Connect trains depart from the nearby Luton Airpot Parkway station. This London airport has only one terminal. In addition, it has a rather short runway, so, like Stansted, it mainly serves short economy class flights with tourists. Interestingly, Luton has the largest number of taxis per unit of population.
London City and Biggin Hill
London City Airport serves short haul business flights within England only. It is located about ten kilometers east of the City in the business district. The railway line allows you to get from it to the center of the British capital in less than twenty-five minutes.
Biggin Hill, built in the southeast, does not serve regular flights.
What to choose - Heathrow or Gatwick?
Both of these London airports are of international class. They make the most pleasant impression in terms of the variety of services offered. A huge number of bars, restaurants, including for the most demanding passengers, and for picky tourists, beauty salons, game rooms, sometimes very impressive stores - all this is in Heathrow and Gatwick. Not far from both airports, hotels with a wide variety of price levels have been built.
From Moscow to Heathrow
Many passengers flying from Moscow prefer to land at Heathrow. This is explained by the presence of a nearby line. Thus, it is possible to save quite a lot, since trains in the UK are somewhat expensive. From here to hotels and main stations - Paddington, Victoria and King's Cross - there are three routes of special buses. In addition, such popularity of Heathrow is due to a more diverse selection of goods in its stores.
At the same time, for those who arrive or depart from this air port, it is better to look at the airport map in advance and understand the intricacies of moving in it. Heathrow has one drawback: many complain that it is very difficult to understand it. This London airport is huge and information for foreigners is sometimes not enough.
Advantages of Gatwick
The main destinations for this air transport hub and at the same time the busiest are destinations in the United States, in Canada, as well as in the Caribbean. In addition, Gatwick is used as a base for charter flights to Europe. More than twenty-three thousand employees create maximum comfort for passengers, using the most modern equipment and technological innovations.
Gatwick terminals
The terminals at Gatwick Airport offer a huge selection of cozy cafes and restaurants, modern bars, business centers, as well as souvenir and newsstands, duty-free shops and currency exchange offices. Light metro trailers run between its terminals. At the same time, the travel time does not exceed only two minutes, and the intervals between trains - from three to six minutes.
The choice of arrival airport also depends on which direction further from London the transit is carried out.
It is no coincidence that London is called the main gate of Great Britain. This is the largest transport hub, primarily air. In total, the capital of England is served by six airports:- Southend.
Every year, these air harbors meet and send more than 140 million people, which, by the way, is equal to the population of Russia. Regular flights depart from London to more than 400 cities around the world.
Heathrow is the central air harbor of London, located 25 kilometers west of the central part of the city. In total, Heathrow has six terminals: 5 passenger and one cargo. By the way, flights from Moscow arrive here.
About a hundred companies are served at the airport on a permanent basis, which transport about 70 million passengers annually. True, this is almost twice as much as Heathrow itself is designed for (45 million people). As a result, the air harbor is very often overloaded, flight delays are not uncommon here. Heathrow has even earned itself the unenviable reputation of being the busiest airport in Europe, and the second place is given to it in the world. Interestingly, the most popular destination from Heathrow is London-New York. 3.5 million people fly this route every year.
Gatwick is London's second largest airport. It serves about 35 million passengers annually. In total, planes fly to 200 cities of the world from this air harbor. The most popular destinations are from the UK to the United States of America. Famous airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are based in Gatwick.
Gatwick Airport has two runways, with only one operating on a permanent basis. The second is a spare. And together they cannot be used at all, as they are located too close to each other.
The two terminals of Gatwick Airport offer a wide range of passenger services. There are a huge number of restaurants, shops, business halls. In the air harbor itself and in the immediate vicinity there are enough hotels of various levels - from comfortable rooms to a capsule hotel. All areas of the airport are specially equipped for disabled passengers.
Third place among London airports at Stansted. This air harbor is located 48 kilometers northeast of the city. The airport has one terminal and one runway. For a long time, Stansted was a military airfield and RAF base. And only in the mid-60s of the last century it was decided to transfer it to civilian needs.
About 24 million passengers are served here annually. This is the maximum load, and Stansted is not able to accept more. True, for the past 5 years, work has been underway to expand the air harbor. It is planned that in the future this airport will receive no less flights than Heathrow. The air harbor terminal is equipped with everything you need. There are shops, restaurants, exchange offices, luggage storage and so on. The inner zone is thought out so that arriving passengers can easily and quickly get to the parking lot.
This air harbor is located 48 kilometers north of London. It serves about 9 million people annually. Mostly from here they fly to European countries.
The advantages of this airport include a huge number of taxis that serve it. It has the highest number of "checkered cars" per capita in the entire UK.
London City airport
This air harbor is quite small in size. It does not serve large passenger liners and is intended mainly for business transportation. On average, about 2.5 million people pass through the City of London every year.
Interestingly, this harbor is closed on weekends. Thus, the authorities give local residents a break from the noise of aircraft. To get to London from the airport, you can use the light rail that leads to the City area.
It is the smallest of all London airports. It is used mainly for regional traffic, although the runway also allows you to receive such giant aircraft as the Airbus A321 and Boeing 757. But more often small charter and business flights land here. Also, the air harbor is used for training pilots of aircraft and helicopters.
The place itself is famous for good weather. And flights from London City or Stansted are often transferred to this airport if they cannot land there for various reasons.
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The capital of England is a must-see when traveling through foggy Albion. Expensive for tourism - - attractive to Russian tourists with the ringing of Big Ben, and the Tower Bridge, and delicious beer, and a large number of museums with free admission.
Several serve the capital of Great Britain and receive a huge flow of tourists. The largest airport in London is Heathrow. In second place is Gatwick, in third is Stansted, in fourth is Luton and in fifth is London City. We will talk about each of them separately.
He is in in Hillingdon, 24 km west of central London. This is the second airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic. In Europe, on the same basis, it ranks first. It accepts only regular flights.
London Heathrow Airport includes 5 passenger terminals and 1 cargo.
Among its features are low location above sea level and frequent fogs.
It was built in the 30s of the last century. It got its name - Heathrow - from the name of the village, which was located on the site of the 3rd terminal.
Heathrow airport.
The first commercial flight was made in 1946, and from the same year it became completely civilian.
The airport complex includes two runways. It is surrounded by more than 17 hotels.
By taxi, bus, subway or train You can get to London from Heathrow.
Location of London airports on the map.
Gatwick Airport
If we talk about the names of airports in London, then Gatwick got its name from the estate, which was located on the site of the airport.
The second largest passenger terminal in England. It is located 46 km south of London, in the city of Crawley. This is West Sussex.
It serves almost 200 directions. London's Gatwick Airport is the main reception. In the last 30 years here arrive, plying between England and the USA.
Gatwick airport.
Gatwick makes history since 1920 when a small airfield was built here.
This is the first airport from which It was easy to get to the city by train. Another innovation was introduction of closed piers, which made it possible for passengers not to go long to the plane.
Now the complex includes two terminals - North and South. Between them, a metro line is laid, along which you can get from one terminal to another for free.
Both terminals are well organized. There is everything for their complete comfort.
It has two runways.
Stansted airport
This is a large airport complex with one runway. This is a hub for low-cost companies from Europe.
He is in 45 km from the capital of the country, in Essex.
It includes one terminal with three satellites. Its architecture is reminiscent flying swan. This effect is achieved due to the "floating" roof. It rests on a frame of pipes, forming a pyramidal shape.
Stansted Airport.
It was built in August 1942. Since 1966 it starts accepting charters. Three years later the first terminal was built. The modern terminal building was opened in 1991. It is planned to further and further develop Stansted Airport in London.
You will reach the center of the capital by taxi, bus or train.
Luton airport
If you look at the London airports on the map, you will see that Luton is located on the outskirts of the city of the same name, 48 km from London.
It is the UK's seventh largest airport by passenger traffic and one of the fastest growing in the country. It serves flights to European countries.
Luton Airport.
It was put into operation in 1938. A long, 15-year reconstruction allowed the airport to comply with all international, modern standards. In 1985 the international terminal was opened.
He only has one runway.
By bus, train or car You can get to London from Luton.
London City airport
Speaking of how many airports there are in London, we must not forget about this terminal complex, which is spread over in Docklands, Newham.
Him one runway, which allows you to take only small aircraft. It serves mainly the business part of the city.
In 1981 there was an idea to build this airfield, and in 1982 the first flight was already made from there.
London City Airport.
It officially opened in 1987.
Him very strict working hours as it is close to residential areas. Residents complain about aircraft noise, so it operates mainly at night time.
This is the smallest from all international terminal complexes of the capital of England. It has a metro line. There is a bus connection to the rest of the city. You can use a taxi.
