The ever-increasing demand for air travel has led to the development of airports of remarkable size, some of which even resemble small cities. And given that more than 4 billion people travel by airplane each year, some of the world’s busiest airports serve tens of millions of passengers annually.
The UK, being a popular destination for travellers, boasts world-class airports that cater to the needs of both commercial and private flyers. Today, we’ll explore the UK biggest airports in terms of land area and the busiest in terms of annual passenger numbers.
Topics
Biggest Airports by Square Feet
Airports are often undergoing expansions to provide room for the continually increasing number of passengers and aeroplane traffic. Let’s review UK’s top five biggest airports in terms of square feet.
1. London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport got its name because of its location, overlooking the countryside west of London. This term derives from the region’s topography, which consists primarily of open, uncultivated ground.
The airport has a total area of 12,14 sq km, with six terminals and two runways. More than 200,000 people use the airport’s departure gates daily, and the airport is responsible for the movement of millions of tons of cargo each year.
Heathrow is the busiest and largest airport in the United Kingdom, which served more than 80,1 million people in 2018.
How to Get There
The specialized airport train known as the Heathrow Express is the primary mode of transportation that gets passengers to Heathrow Airport from London quickly and with the least hassle. The journey takes only fifteen minutes from Paddington Station to Heathrow Airport and departs every fifteen minutes.
Between Cockfosters and Heathrow, there are stations on the Piccadilly Line that offer handy connections to various Metro and rail services, as well as direct routes to Heathrow, where three London Underground lines serve passengers.
If travelling by car, this helpful link from Heathrow’s website provides detailed information.
Car Rentals
All car rental operators in the UK require a valid driver’s license from UK and EU residents, while travellers from outside the EU are required to have an International Driver’s Permit. In addition to providing their residence details and passport, international tourists must also produce proof that they will return home.
From $16 to around $86 a day for economy or luxury cars, travellers can rent a car at the airport from the following eight rent-a-car operators:
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- National
- Budget
- Alamo
- Hertz
- Sixt
- Avis
Taxi
The price of a cab ride from central London to Heathrow Airport ranges between $54 and $85, and the trip takes about one hour. Travellers can choose to ride in the famous black taxi or a minicab.
Flights
The following airlines operate from London Heathrow Airport:
- Aegean Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic
- Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Aeroflot
- All Nippon Airways – ANA, Air Algerie, Air Mauritius
- Air Astana, Air Serbia, Air New Zealand
- Air Austral, Air India, Air China, American Airlines
- Air France, Alaska Airlines, Asiana Airlines
- Air Malta, Austrian Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines
- Avianca, AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines, British Airways
- Azores Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines
- Azul, Blue Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Egyptair
- Cathay Pacific, Brussels Airlines, China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Copa Airlines
- China Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Croatia Airlines
- Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Eurowings, Gol
- Ethiopian Airlines, Fiji Airways, EVA Air
- Etihad Airways, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia
- Flybe, flynas, Hainan Airlines, Icelandair
- Gulf Air, Iberia, JAL – Japan Airlines, IndiGo
- Iran Air, JetBlue Airways, ITA Airways
- Kenya Airways, LOT Polish Airlines
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air
- Kuwait Airways, LATAM Airlines, Qatar Airways
- Loganair, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Air Maroc
- Middle East Airlines, Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian
- Pakistan International Airlines, Oman Air
- Qantas, Royal Brunei Airlines, RwandAir
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Tarom
- Saudia, Thai Airways International, TAP Air Portugal
- SriLankan Airlines, Sky Express, SWISS
- Tunisair, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Australia
- Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet
- Vietnam Airlines, Vistara, Xiamen Airlines
- Vueling, Wideroe
Airport Services
Passengers can find the following services at LHA:
- Trolleys
- Charging stations
- A few smoking areas
- ATM machines and exchange currency
- Postal services
- Meeting rooms
- Pre-book priority service
- Baggage services (baggage storage)
- Meet and assist concierge services
- Heathrow airport showers
- VIP treatment
- Baby changing
- Free WIFI
- Sacred spaces open to people of many faiths for the purpose of praying and meditating
- St. George’s Chapel is open to visitors of any and all religions
- Special assistance with parking and transport
- Play areas at Terminals 2, 4, and 5
- Pharmacies and ambulances
Hotels
London Heathrow Airport has amenities that make it feasible for travellers to remain overnight without renting a hotel outside the airport’s premises. Buses connect the terminals, which all stay open around the clock.
For passengers who want the commodity of a hotel room, there are more than 20 hotels located at the airport:
- Marriott
- Sheraton Heathrow
- Hilton T4
- Sofitel
- Renaissance
- Sheraton Skyline
- Radisson Edwardian
- Holiday Inn Heathrow
- Arora
- Thistle
- Park Inn
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Holiday Inn M4
- Hilton T5
- Premier Inn T5
- Crowne
- Premier Inn
- Ibis
- Plaza
- Novotel
- Holiday Inn Ariel
- Jurys Inn
- Easy Hotel
- Comfort Hotel
Other hotels nearby are:
- Airport Comfy Stay is 1.3 kilometres away;
- Leonardo London Heathrow Airport Hotel is 1.2 kilometres away;
- Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel is 1.1 kilometres away.
Terminals
Since the first terminal at London Heathrow Airport was shut down in 2015, the airport now has four operational terminals.
Terminal 2
Heathrow Terminal 2 first opened in the 50s and was formerly known as the Europa Building. After more than four years of renovation, the Terminal reopened in 2014 and was named The Queen’s Terminal. The majority of the airport’s foreign flights depart from and arrive at this terminal, transporting almost 20 million passengers each year.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport first opened in 1961 under the name Oceanic. More than 19 million passengers go through the Terminal annually.
International flights depart from Terminal 3 for destinations including Dubai, Canada, and the United States.
Terminal 4
Heathrow Terminal 4 opened its doors in 1986 and mainly accommodated business travellers on short flights. It currently handles less than 10 million passengers yearly.
International flights depart from Terminal 4 to Asia, North Africa, and Europe.
Terminal 5
The Heathrow Terminal 5 opened its doors in 2008, and it’s big enough to accommodate 50 football stadiums.
British Airways uses Terminal 5 as a major centre for its operations. Nevertheless, Iberia also has flights that depart from this terminal.
Regular flight connectivity shuttles carry travellers who wish to go between terminals. Another alternative is to use the complimentary shuttle trains between Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminals 4 and 5 at Heathrow Central Station. The time required for transfer is around twenty minutes. Taking the metro trains, which also travel between the terminals, is a third alternative.
You can find helpful maps of the terminals on the airport’s website.
Lounges
Heathrow Airport has several lounges that offer discounted access to travellers regardless of the airline they are flying with. The majority of lounges provide guests with comfortable seating, complimentary refreshments, and a wide variety of alcoholic beverages to choose from.
Travellers can enjoy the following lounges:
Terminal 2
- Plaza Premium Lounge
Terminal 3
- Club Aspire Lounge
- No1 Lounge Heathrow
Terminal 4
- Plaza Premium Lounge
Terminal 5
- Club Aspire Lounge
Food
London’s Pride by Fuller’s, Pilots Bar & KitchenStarbucks, The Globe, and Vagabond are just some of the 30+ bars and restaurants available at the airport.
You can see the complete list on the following link.
Private Jet Terminal
Heathrow Airport has an advantageous location, with quick and simple access to the city centre and main roads, making it an excellent option for private flights.
Both Signature Flight Support and Dnata Private Aviation Services have FBOs here that offer general and private aviation ground handling services.
Other FBOs nearby are:
2. Manchester Airport
The most important international airport servicing the northwestern region of England is Manchester Airport (MAN). It’s located immediately to the south of the central business district of Manchester, providing travellers with convenient and speedy access to and from the airport.
The airport can handle more than 27 million passengers annually and covers a surface of 32.38 square kilometres.
How to Get There
On the airport’s website, travellers can find detailed step-by-step directions and guides on how to get to and from the airport by using various modes of transportation, be it cars, buses, or trains.
The Manchester Airport is located around 15 kilometres south of the city centre, close to the M56 motorway, so there’s convenient access to the M6, M60, and M62 motorways. If passengers choose to get to the airport by bus or car, they should allow additional travel time due to traffic.
The train is the fastest transportation option as a result of the station’s location at the very centre of the airport site. It takes around twenty minutes to go by train from the airport to Manchester Piccadilly station. The TransPennine Express and Northern Rail trains are available at regular intervals of ten minutes, seven days a week.
Car Rentals
Travellers can rent small, large, premium, or economy cars at Manchester Airport from the following providers:
- National Car Rental
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Budget
- Alamo
- Hertz
- Avis
- Sixt
All car rental operators are accessible by a free bus transfer every ten minutes that go directly to the Car Rental Village.
Taxi and Bus
Passengers can take a ride in wheelchair-accessible black taxis that Manchester fully licenses. At each of the three Terminals, there is a taxi stand directly outside the entrance and there’s no need to make a reservation.
Every day, weekends and holidays included, Manchester Airport is accessible via a line of buses continuously running throughout the day. A Stagecoach bus service constantly runs day and night between the city centre and Manchester Airport.
Flights
Airlines operating at Manchester Airport are:
- American Airlines, All Nippon Airways – ANA, Aurigny Air Services
- Austrian Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Brussels Airlines
- Azores Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air Baltic
- Air India, Eastern Airways, Air Serbia, Air Transat
- China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Aer Lingus
- China Eastern Airlines, Aegean Airlines, AeroMexico
- Aer Lingus UK, Air Austral, Air New Zealand
- Air Canada, Air France, Delta Air Lines
- Air Mauritius, Easyjet, Ethiopian Airlines
- Emirates, Etihad Airways, flynas, Flybe
- Eurowings, Garuda Indonesia, Finnair
- Gol, Hainan Airlines, JAL – Japan Airlines
- Gulf Air, Iberia, JetBlue Airways, Korean Air
- Icelandair, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- ITA Airways, Jet2.com, Kenya Airways
- Lufthansa, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines
- LATAM Airlines, Norwegian Air International
- Loganair, Pakistan International Airlines
- Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways
- Qantas, Royal Jordanian, SWISS
- RwandAir, SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Ryanair, Singapore Airlines,
- Saudia, SriLankan Airlines
- Thai Airways International, SunExpress
- TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines
- TUI Airways, Virgin Australia, Vueling
- Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet, Xiamen Airlines
Airport Services
At Manchester Airport, passengers can find the following services and amenities:
- Bag wrapping and weighing
- PremiAir – new private terminal at Manchester Airport
- Luggage storage and lockers
- Currency exchange and ATMs
- Restaurants and cafeterias
- Multi-faith prayer rooms
- Shops and Duty-Free
- Breastfeeding facility
- Children play area
- Mobile charging
- Massage chairs
- Faith and worship quiet space
- Concorde conference centre
- Designated smoking areas
- Runway Visitor Park
- Shopping services
- Free wifi service
- Lost and found
- VAT refunds
- Game Deck
- Post Office
- Pharmacy
- Showers
- Trolleys
- Spa
Hotels
The Radisson Blu Hotel is the only hotel located within the airport.
Other hotels near the airport are:
- Premier Inn is located a short ride of about five minutes from the airport;
- Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport is a five-minute walk from Terminal 1;
- Holiday Inn is located 3 kilometres from the airport.
Terminals
Since 2015, MAN Airport has been in the midst of many significant improvements that are expected to continue up to 2025.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 has the most space and extended history. It’s a multi-use structure that serves as the primary terminal for flights to Europe and other parts of the world.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is responsible for both local and international flight operations.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is the domestic terminal, with British Airways being the primary carrier operating here.
On the airport’s website, you can look at all the shops and restaurants available to all passengers.
Lounges
Travellers can enjoy the following lounges at Manchester Airport:
Terminal 1
- Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge
- The Emirates Lounge
- Escape Lounge
- Aspire Lounge
Terminal 2
- Virgin Holidays V-Room
- Escape Lounge
- Aspire Lounge
Terminal 3
- 1903 Airport Lounge
- Escape Lounge
Food
KFC, Hangar, PizzaLuxe, Kiosco, Bridgewater, Archie’s, Burger King, Trattoria Milano, and Wagamama are part of the 30 restaurants up and running at the Manchester Airport.
You can see the complete list of restaurants on the airport’s website by following this link.
Private Jet Terminal
Manchester Airport has its own private jet terminal, PremiAir, that’s located southwest of the main building, directly adjacent to the runway and the taxiway. Travellers can book Manchester’s private terminal for their departing and incoming flights by filling out a form on their website.
Passengers are only able to use the terminal if they are travelling with one of the following airlines:
- Norwegian, British Airways, Icelandair, Finnair,
- Pakistan International Airlines, Vueling, Loganair,
- Pegasus Airlines, Iraqi Airways, Aer Lingus,
- Qatar Airways, Aegean Airlines, Iberia Express,
- Ethiopian Airlines, Saudia, Turkish Airlines,
- TAP Air Portugal, Etihad Airways, Hainan Airlines,
- And Oman Air (does not offer priority departures).
The following FBOs are also located at Manchester Airport:
Premier Inn Manchester Airport is another FBO located nearby.
3. London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport formally opened in the summer of 1958 when Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated it. The airport covers a total area of 6.7 sq km and is a hub for airline companies such as British Airways, Wizz Air, and EasyJet, and charter carriers like TUI Airways.
Gatwick Airport is not only the third biggest airport in the UK, but also one of the busiest, serving over 43 million people annually. There are two terminals at this airport, covering a total area of 258,000 m2.
How to Get There
It only takes around half an hour to go from central London to Gatwick Airport, making it one of the most convenient airports in the world. It’s located 45 kilometres south of London and is directly connected to Junction 9 of the M23 and the A23 London-Brighton motorway. The M25 can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car and provides access to the main road and highway.
The rail links at Gatwick Airport are the greatest of any airport in the UK. Passengers can access 120 railway stations from and to the airport with no stopover and over 700 with just one transfer. There are three ways to purchase train tickets: at the railway, online, or with a card payment at the ticket gates.
Car Rentals
If passengers want to visit more neighbouring areas, renting a car at London Gatwick Airport is a fantastic choice. Available London car rental operators at the airport are:
- Easirent Car Hire Gatwick Airport
- Gatwick Car & Van Rental
- Caterhams Cars
- National
- Green Motion
- Alamo
- Avis
- Sixt
- Thrifty
- Budget
- Caro
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Europcar
Taxi
Depending on traffic conditions, the trip from London to the airport may take around one hour by car. Taxi companies operating at the airport can charge for a journey into the heart of London anywhere from $72 to $157 for a single-way trip.
Flights
Airlines operating at London Gatwick Airport are:
- Aegean Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas
- Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, American Airlines
- Aurigny Air Services, Air Baltic, Azores Airlines
- Air Europa, Badr Airlines, Easyjet
- Air Malta, Emirates, Finnair, JetBlue Airways
- British Airways, Eastern Airways, Air Transat
- Iberia, LATAM Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways
- Icelandair, Norwegian Air International, Norwegian Air
- IndiGo, Nouvelair, Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair
- Porter Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Tunisair
- Qantas, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines
- SunExpress, TUI Airways, Virgin Australia
- Ukraine International Airlines, Vueling
- Wizz Air, Wizz Air UK
Airport Services
Gatwick offers the following services:
- 90 minutes of free Internet in the Terminals
- Currency exchange and ATMs
- Designated smoking area
- Restaurants and food
- Duty Free and shops
- Free charging zones
- Special assistance
- Luggage storage
- Public telephones
- Information desks
- Baby changing
- Meeting rooms
- Lost property
- VIP services
- Kid zones
- Bag wrap
- VAT Refunds
- Post box
Hotels
There are five hotels located at the airport where passengers can stay a few nights or rest during a long layover:
- Sofitel London Gatwick
- Hilton London Gatwick
- Hampton by Hilton
- The Premier Inn
- YotelAir
Terminals
North Terminal
Both local and international flights operate out of the Gatwick Airport North Terminal.
South Terminal
Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal is the hub for British Airways’ flight operations.
Lounges
At London Gatwick Airport, travellers can relax while waiting for their flight in one of the airport’s luxurious private lounges:
North Terminal
- Plaza Premium Lounge
- The Emirates Lounge
- No1 Lounges
- The Gateway
- My Lounge
- Club Aspire
- Clubrooms
South Terminal
- Regus Express Business Lounge
- British Airways First Lounge
- British Airways Club Lounge
- No1 Lounges
- My Lounge
- Club Aspire
- Clubrooms
Food
Warrens Bakery, Sonoma, Starbucks, The Red Lion, Costa, and Giraffe are some of the bars and restaurants at Manchester Airport – you can find the full list following this link.
Private Jet Terminal
The airport supports private jet flights and provides passengers access to various amenities and services.
At London Gatwick Airport, customers can find the following FBOs:
4. Birmingham International Airport
Birmingham Airport is the fourth biggest airport in the UK, covering 8.5 sq km. There are over 50 airlines that transport more than 9 million people each year to over 140 destinations located all over the world. The airport furthermore provides travellers with domestic connectivity and long-haul flights, which make up most of the passenger traffic.
How to Get There
Because it’s located in the middle of the highway network in the United Kingdom, Birmingham Airport is a convenient 25 minutes drive from the centre and a taxi ride costs around $40.
There’s a rail service that operates to a variety of locations departing from Birmingham International Station on a consistent basis. You can see the time schedule and more information on the following link.
Moreover, a free public transportation system known as the “Air-Rail Link” connects Birmingham International Station to the airport in a direct and convenient manner. It takes about two minutes to arrive at the station using the air-rail link.
Car Rentals
There are seven international vehicle rental companies with bases at Birmingham Airport where passengers can acquire or return rental cars:
- Firefly
- Avis
- Budget
- Alamo
- InterRent
- Hertz
- Sixt
You can get further details and make a reservation for a car rental at the following link.
Taxi
The black cabs wait outside the main terminal and drive passengers to their desired location, whether a hotel in the area or elsewhere in the country.
For more information, go to the airport’s website by following this link.
Flights
Airlines operating at Birmingham International Airport are:
- Aer Lingus, Air France, AnadoluJet
- Air India, Aurigny, Brussels Airlines
- Balkan Holidays, Corendon Airlines
- Blue Islands, easyJet
- Emerald Airlines, Eurowings
- Emirates, Jet2.com
- Flybe, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Loganair, SWISS, Turkish Airlines
- Lufthansa, Ryanair
- SunExpress Airlines, SAS
- TUI, Vueling, Wizz Air
Airport Services
Travellers can find the following services at Birmingham Airport:
- Meeting rooms and business facilities
- Currency exchange and ATMs
- Restaurants and cafeterias
- Baby changing facilities
- Shops and Duty-Free
- Aircraft viewing area
- Premium fast track
- Special assistance
- Baggage trolleys
- Water fountains
- Lost and found
- Sky zone
- Lounges
- Wi-Fi
Hotels
Birmingham International Airport has a few on-site hotels where passengers can make a reservation if they want to be accommodated near the airport:
- Ibis
- Novotel
- Hilton Garden Inn
Terminals
The Birmingham Airport only has one terminal. However, it has two levels of check-in and baggage claim.
Ground Floor
The Ground or Primary Floor is the Arrivals area. On this level, travellers will discover, among other things, the Check-in Area, restrooms, desks for car rentals, ATMs, and stores.
First Floor
The security and exit gates are located on the First Floor. On the Left Concourse, passengers will find gates 1 to 20. In contrast, on the Right Concourse, they will discover gates 40 to 68 and various amenities, including restrooms, restaurants, stores, automatic teller machines, lounges, and other areas.
Lounges
All located on the First Floor/ Main Terminal, the following lounges can give travellers a luxurious treatment while waiting for their flight:
- The Emirates Lounge
- Club Aspire (South)
- Aspire Lounge
- No1 Lounges
- Clubrooms
Food
Travellers will find the following bars and restaurants at Birmingham Airport:
- Factory Bar and Kitchen
- Bottega Prosecco Bar
- SOHO Coffee Co.
- Pret a Manger
- Wetherspoon
- Burger King
- All Bar One
- Caffe Nero
- Greggs
- Giraffe
- Costa
Private Jet Terminal
Through its partnership with PrivateFly, Birmingham Airport provides private jet charters to and from the airport. PrivateFly provides VIP service for its clients regardless of where they wish to travel and can be accessed anywhere in the world.
On the airport’s website, you can search for a private jet flight and learn more about PrivateFly.
Other FBOs located at the airport are:
5. Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool International Airport (LPL), formerly known as the Speke Airport, is the first airport in the United Kingdom that’s titled after a person, in this case, the well-known Beetle. After its renovation, it was formally opened by the Queen in 2002.
LPL is a major international airport situated 12 kilometres from the city’s core and serving over 70 locations across Europe. It has a surface of around 8 sq km and serves approximately 5 million people annually.
How to Get There
From the heart of Liverpool, travellers can reach the airport in about twenty minutes by car.
There is no direct connection to the train rail when departing from Liverpool Airport. The Liverpool South Parkway railway station is the most convenient one. Passengers can take one of the many buses that travel in that direction.
Car Rentals
To get about quickly, travellers can rent a car from Liverpool Airport. Car rental operators at the airport are:
- Enterprise Rent-a-Car
- Hertz Rent a Car
- Europcar
- Budget
- Avis
Taxi
A trip into the heart of Liverpool typically costs between fifteen and twenty-five pounds, or $18 to $30 for one way.
Outside the primary terminal, passengers can find the taxi queue for the official taxi company, Hackney. The taxi stand is only accessible to the following authorized and licensed vehicles at all times:
- Speke Airport Taxis Ltd.
- South Liverpool Taxis
- Village Taxis
- Alpha Taxis
At the parking lots, passengers can find independent taxi services.
Flights
Airlines operating at Liverpool John Lennon Airport are:
- Loganair
- Wideroe
- Lufthansa
- easyJet
- Ryanair
- Blue Air
- Wizz Air
- PLAY
Airport Services
Travellers can find the following services at Liverpool John Lennon Airport:
- 30 minutes free Wi-Fi available
- Customer service charter
- Restaurants and cafés
- Currency exchange
- Baggage options
- Nursing rooms
- Lost and found
- Smoking room
- Family rooms
- Prayer room
- Picnic area
- Quiet room
- Duty Free
- Shops
- ATMs
Hotels
The Hampton by Hilton Liverpool John Lennon Airport Hotel is located right across the street from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and provides convenient access to the airport’s terminal.
Just 6 kilometres away, Liverpool Airport Rooms offers affordable accommodation that’s perfectly located for those with late or early flights. This property has access to a communal kitchen, a garden, and a lounge.
Gateway Lodge is a family boutique stay located less than a kilometre from John Lennon Airport. The boutique hotel is 20 minutes from the heart of Liverpool by car.
Terminal
The airport Terminal is composed of two different floors, which are as follows:
Lower Level
This level is where departure (1-10) and arrival (30-45) gates are located.
Ground transportation is available to travellers who are departing from the Arrivals lobby.
Currency exchange, infant care facilities, accessible restrooms, a picnic space, a smoking room, and access to the top floor via both stairs and elevators are all part of the services provided.
Upper Level
This level features a diverse selection of bars, restaurants, and stores selling a wide range of merchandise.
Services on this floor include restrooms, a quiet room, a prayer room, stairwells, and lifts to access the lower floor.
On the following link to the airport’s website, you will find a map of the Terminal.
Lounges
The Aspire Lounge is located in the Main Terminal and is accessible from 4:30 am to 8:00 pm. Among the available services are Wi-Fi and refreshments.
Food
Passengers can find the following restaurants at Liverpool John Lennon Airport:
- Kissing Gate
- Starbucks
- Burger King
- The Cabin Bar
- The Estuary Bar & Grill
- Caffè Ritazza
- Frankie & Benny’s
- The Beer House
- Upper Crust
- Greggs
You can see more restaurant details on the airports’ website and explore the shopping stores.
Private Jet Terminal
The following FBOs provide private jet services at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the surrounding area:
Busiest Airports
Heathrow and Gatwick are the biggest but also the busiest airports in the UK. Since we already covered them, let’s take a closer look at the following UK’s busiest airports.
1. London Stansted
One of the six main airports that serve the city of London in the United Kingdom is London Stansted Airport, located 68 kilometres from Central London, the county of Essex.
There is only one runway at Stansted that’s 3048 meters long and 46 meters wide. The airport itself is small and covers a total area of 3 sq km.
How to Get There
As the airport is around 56 kilometres from the centre of London, getting there can be a bit of a bother.
The bus station at Stansted Airport is located in a handy location just a few minutes from the main terminal. Prices for National Express’ bus services begin at around $18 and go from London Victoria, Waterloo, and London Liverpool Street to the airport.
Stansted Airport’s terminal building contains its own train station, which is just below the terminal. The trains departing from London Liverpool Street station, Tottenham Hale, and Stratford go to the airport consistently. Various ticket options are available, and trains leave the station every 15 minutes. A ticket to Stansted Airport from Tottenham Hale is $24.
Car Rentals
There is an option to rent a car at the airport, and the following car rental operators can be found on-site:
- National Car Rental
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Budget
- Alamo
- Hertz
- Avis
- Sixt
Taxi
Taking a taxi may relieve a lot of the stress associated with travelling. It will take around an hour to go to the airport from downtown London (Waterloo Station), and the fare is anywhere from $72 to $242, depending on the vehicle passengers choose and traffic.
Flights
Airlines currently operating at London Stansted are:
- Air Albania
- Air Moldova
- British Airways
- Easyjet
- Emirates
- Jet2.com
- Loganair
- Pegasus Airlines
- Play Airlines
- Ryanair
- TUI Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Airport Services
Travellers will find the following services at London Stansted Airport:
- Luggage wrapping and storage
- Wheel-chair renting service
- Currency Exchange
- Accessible toilets
- Baby care rooms
- Smoking areas
- Prayer room
- Lost & Found
- Left luggage
- ATMs
- WiFi
- Duty-free shops
- Information booths
- Special assistance desk
- Car rental booths
- Baggage trolleys
- Showers
- Internet kiosks
- Public telephones
- Repacking service
- VAT Refunds
- Meeting rooms
- Drinking water
- Post box
Hotels
Travellers can find the following eight hotels at the London Stansted Airport:
- The Days Inn Hotel is within a 5-10 minute drive from the airport.
- The De Salis Hotel at Stansted Airport is a shuttle ride from the airport and is only five minutes away.
- The Holiday Inn Express Hotel at Stansted Airport is also a shuttle ride from the airport, only five minutes away.
- The Novotel Stansted Airport is six minutes away on a shuttle.
- Shuttle service from the Premier Inn Stansted Airport will take 15 to 20 minutes.
- A 5-minute walk from the terminal will take passengers to the Radisson Blu Stansted Airport hotel.
- A 10 minute ride from the terminal will get passengers to the Ramada Stansted Airport.
- The Hampton by Hilton Hotel is five minutes from the airport’s main terminal.
Terminals
Travellers will find a single-passenger terminal at Stansted Airport. Despite the fact that the structure only has one level, the terminals are laid out as follows:
- Check-in hall and domestic arrivals
Passengers can find check-in points from A to J in this area and boarding gates 1 through 99. The Domestic Arrivals Hall is located on the upper level and features a luggage carousel and an info station. Elevators and escalators provide access to the parking areas and the railway station. A ramp provides access to the many alternatives for ground transportation located just outside this level, right in front of the terminal. These options include a bus station, railway station, and taxi rank.
- Departure lounge
Passengers are allowed to enter the Departure Lounge once they have passed the security check in the check-in hall. Here, they’ll find access to 1 to 99 boarding gates. Concessions selling food and drinks and retail establishments are plentiful in this particular sector of the complex.
- International arrivals
Here, travellers will find the baggage claim area and the seven baggage carousels located in the centre hall. One of the carousels is specifically for oversized luggage. After that, travellers can locate many alternatives for ground transportation (including a bus station, railway station, car rental counters, and taxis). Escalators lead up to both the parking garage and the railway station.
Lounges
Passengers will find the Escape Lounge in the Main Terminal, accessible from 04:00 am to 08:30 pm. A variety of services are available, including dining, beverages, snacks, and Wi-Fi.
Food
Passengers can find the following bars and restaurants at the London Stansted Airport:
- JD Wetherspoon – The Windmill
- Bottega Prosecco Bar & Caffè
- The Camden Bar & Kitchen
- Terracotta Italian Kitchen
- Comptoir Libanais
- Sunny Side Cafe
- M&S Simply Food
- Joe & The Juice
- Pret A Manger
- Harris + Hoole
- Costa Coffee
- Burger King
- Burnells Bar
- The Perch
- Leon
- Itsu
Private Jet Terminal
Stansted Airport offers private jet charter services and accommodates private flyers, operators, and crew members.
FBOs located at London Stansted Airport are as follows:
2. London Luton Airport
Located close to Bedfordshire, Luton Airport primarily caters to low-cost airlines that travel to European destinations.
Luton Airport, which didn’t open its doors until 1938, served the Royal Air Force as a base throughout the Second World War. Following the war’s conclusion, the airport was reopened to commercial traffic and quickly became a lucrative hub for private planes. As one of the busiest airports in the UK, it served 58 million people over the course of the last five years.
How to Get There
The Luton Airport rail service is the best transportation option for getting from London to the airport as quickly as possible; it takes 25 minutes, and there are as many as six departures each hour.
Moreover, the London Luton Airport terminal and the Luton Airport Parkway are connected by a shuttle bus that runs on a consistent schedule. The service is provided at regular intervals of 10 minutes, both during the day and throughout the night. Tickets to London Luton Airport are available to customers travelling by rail. Additionally, it’s not subject to any unanticipated delays caused by London’s traffic jams.
Car Rentals
There are car rental companies at the airport where passengers can acquire or return rental automobiles:
- Alamo
- Green Motion
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Budget
- Europcar
- Sixt
- Thrifty
You can get further details and make a reservation for a car rental at the following link.
Taxi
The travel time in a cab from London’s central area to Luton Airport is around one hour; however, this time can vary greatly, depending on the traffic.
The Addison Lee taxi service is the official partner taxi service at the airport. On the other hand, authorized hackney carriages may also be used as taxis.
For more information, go to the airport’s website by following this link.
Flights
Airlines operating at London Luton Airport are:
- Aer Arann
- Pegasus
- Sunexpress
- EasyJet
- Ryanair
- ThomasCook
- First Choice
- Silverjet
- Thomsonfly
- Flybe
- SkyEurope
- Wizz Air
- Monarch
- Spanair
- Onur Air
Airport Services
The following services are provided at the airport:
- Persons with reduced mobility services
- Restaurants, food and drinks
- Banking and ATM services
- Free Wi-Fi during 4 hours
- Duty-free and shops
- Shops and stores
- Lost and found
- Information desk
- Luggage storage
- Currency exchange
- Gaming services
- Smoking area
- Prayer room
- Fast Track
- Shop and collect service
- Passenger service assistants
- Elevators and escalators
- Baby changing rooms
- Luggage Trolleys
- Family area
- VAT refunds
Hotels
There are no hotels at the airport, so we found some nearby:
- Only a ten-minute walk separates passengers from the Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport Hotel, making it the hotel that offers the most convenient access to the Terminal.
- The Ibis Luton Airport Hotel can be reached in ten minutes by foot from Luton Airport and by car from the heart of Luton.
- The modern accommodations of the Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport can be found in Luton and are located less than 500 meters from the passenger terminal.
Terminals
Luton Airport has only one main passenger terminal divided into two levels:
Level 1
At Level 1, travellers can find the check-in area, the arrivals hall, and the security area. Additionally, there are rental car operators, busses, trains, and ticket counters for these modes of transportation.
Level 2
Passengers can proceed upstairs to Level 2 after passing through the security check. They will find the departures section, all of the gates (1 to 43), and lounges.
Lounges
Passengers can enjoy the following two lounges at Luton Airport:
- Aspire Lounge
- Clubrooms
Food
The following bars and restaurants are available to all travellers at the airport:
- The Cornish Pastry Company
- Friska London Luton Airport
- Wasabi Sushi & Bento
- Frankie and Benny’s
- Fattorie Garofalo
- Starbucks Coffee
- Aspire Lounge
- The Smithfield
- Pret A Manger
- Costa Coffee
- Crepe Affaire
- Hawker Bar
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Benugo
- Est Bar
- Pip
Private Jet Terminal
Luton Airport has three terminals for private jet passengers.
FBOs operating at London Luton Airport are:
3. Edinburgh Airport
The Edinburgh Airport serves about 12 million people annually and is connected to 130 destinations, most of which are in North America and Europe. The airport is located in the Ingliston neighbourhood of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
With almost 15 million passengers using Edinburgh Airport in 2019, it’s one of the busiest airports in the UK. Every day, the airport sees around 24,000 travellers go through its terminals. There are two runways, the primary one being 2,560 meters long.
How to Get There
Passengers can take the Airlink 100 Express Bus, which offers the shortest and most direct route from the city’s heart to the airport. Because it’s an expedited route, the trip will take around 25 minutes. The bus only stops at several sites, such as Haymarket and Princes Street.
The Edinburgh Gateway train station is the closest to Edinburgh Airport; from there, the airport is reachable through a quick trip on the tram. Trains operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with peak-hour frequency ranging from five to twenty minutes. ScotRail is in charge of the operation of every train that travels between Edinburgh and Edinburgh Gateway.
Car Rentals
Renting a car at Edinburgh Airport is the best way to go about the city and the surrounding area, and it’s also a great way to save money. There are nine international vehicle rental companies with bases at Edinburgh Airport where passengers can acquire rental automobiles:
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- National
- Budget
- Thrifty
- Hertz
- Alamo
- Avis
- Sixt
Taxi
The average travel time from the city to Edinburgh Airport is twenty-five minutes, although the traffic ultimately determines the total amount of time spent on the journey. All cabs have meters, so there is no need to pre-book a taxi. A ride from the city centre ranges between $25 and $30.
The ground level located directly across from the primary terminal is where passengers will find private rental automobiles and taxis.
Taxi operators at the airport are:
- City Cabs Edinburgh
- Castle Private Hire
- Capital Cars
- Central Taxis
For more information, go to the airport’s website by following this link.
Flights
Airlines operating at Edinburg Airport are:
- Aer Lingus
- Delta
- Karthago Air
- Air France
- Easyjet
- KLM
- CityJet
- Eurocypria Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Air Transat
- Finnair
- Monarch Airlines
- Bmi
- Flybe
- My Travel
- Bmi Baby
- Flyglobespan
- Norwegian
- British Airways
- First Choice
- Onur Air
- Loganair
- Futura
- Ryanair
- Centralwings
- Germanwings
- SAS
- Cimber Air
- Iberworld
- Sterling Airlines
- Clickair
- Jet2
- Thomsonfly
- Continental Airlines
Airport Services
Edinburgh Airport provides the following services to its passengers:
- Handicapped/Disabilities help services
- Duty-free shops and stores
- Currency exchange
- Baggage inquiries
- Baby care facilities
- Information desk
- Luggage storage
- Family facilities
- Smoking areas
- Bag Wrapping
- Dry Cleaning
- Lost property
- Prayer room
- Post office
- Free WI-FI
- Pharmacy
- ATMs
Hotels
Although Edinburgh Airport doesn’t have a hotel within its structure, the following are some suggestions for nearby hotels that are only a few minutes away from the terminal:
- The Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh Airport, which is only a two-minute walk from Edinburgh Airport, has complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, a fitness center, and a bar.
- Moxy Edinburgh Airport is a hotel that offers accommodation, dining, parking, a fitness center, and a bar. The airport is only a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
- This DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is just a short walk of seven minutes away from Edinburgh International Airport.
Terminals
The passenger terminal at Edinburgh Airport is the only building at the airport, and it serves both local and international flights.
Ground level
Check-in and reception areas for domestic and international passengers are located on the ground floor.
First level
The boarding area is located on the first floor of the building. Passengers will find boarding gates 1 to 9 on the left side of the terminal and boarding gates 10 to 23 on the right side.
East Extension
It refers to a facility that’s 6,000 square meters in size and contains shops, duty-free outlets, food concessions, a children’s play area, a pharmacy, and staff offices.
Lounges
There are three lounges at Edinburgh Airport available for travellers’ relaxation and comfort:
- British Airways Lounge
- No.1 Lounges
- Aspire Lounge
Food
Travellers can find Bridge & Castle, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, and Starbucks before passing security. After security, they will find the following bars and restaurants:
- Wetherspoon – The Sir Walter Scott
- Hudson St Grill
- Pret a Manger
- Krispy Kreme
- Costa Coffee
- Burger King
- All Bar One
- Caffè Nero
- Fever-tree
- Barburrito
- BrewDog
Private Jet Terminal
Signature Flight Support is the only FBO that operates at Edinburgh Airport.
4. Belfast International
The primary access point to Belfast, Northern Ireland, is located at Belfast International Airport, formerly known as Aldergrove Airport. After Dublin Airport, this is the busiest airport in all of Ireland. It’s a hub for seven airlines’ combined network of 22 flights across the United Kingdom and Europe. After reaching its all-time high of 2.7 million passengers in 2010, the airport served over 800,000 people in 2021.
BIA contains two cross runways with dimensions of 2,780 meters by 45 meters and 1,951 meters by 45 meters. The three airlines that have the most flights out of this airport – British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Flybe – all use it as a regional hub for their operations.
How to Get There
Taking a cab or a private transfer from Belfast International Airport would get passengers to the heart of the city in about half an hour, making it the fastest transportation option. Passengers can also use the Airport Express 300 bus route, which will get them to the centre of Belfast in 40 minutes for $10.
Car Rentals
Renting a car at the Belfast International Airport is an excellent way for passengers to explore Northern Ireland. The following automobile rental agencies are located at Belfast International Airport:
- Alamo
- Enterprise
- Budget
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Sixt
- National
Taxi
The following is a list of some of the taxi companies that serve Belfast International Airport and the surrounding areas:
- Fonacab
- Value Cabs
- Belfast Airport Taxis
- Belfast International Airport Taxi Company
For more information, go to the airport’s website by following this link.
Flights
The main airlines operating at Belfast International Airport are:
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- Aer Lingus
- easyJet
- Flybe
- Wizz
- Jet2
- Tui
Airport Services
Belfast International Airport provides the following services to its passengers:
- Customer Service Agents
- Restaurants and Food
- Tourist Information
- Shops and Stores
- Luggage Storage
- Business Lounge
- Lost and found
- Smoking Area
- WI-FI
- ATMs
- Post office
- Telephones
- Internet kiosk
- Business lounge
- Baby care rooms
- Lost luggage office
- Currency exchange
- Viewing Gallery
Hotels
Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport is located at Belfast Airport. Another nearby hotel where passengers can stay is Belfast International Airport, which is 3.5 kilometres away. The city centre of Belfast can be reached by car in about 25 minutes from the Stable Court Apartments.
Terminals
The Belfast Airport Terminal includes a pair of runways and is used by both domestic and international airlines serving destinations worldwide. The terminal at Belfast International Airport is composed of two distinct levels:
Lower Level
This level provides access to the Link Bridge, which contains security control, information desks, food and drink services, check-in desks and an arrivals lounge, and retail outlets.
Upper Level
Both local and foreign planes have their sections within the gate areas in the Upper Level.
Services include currency exchange, a help desk, automated teller machines, a business lounge, and services and facilities such as baby care rooms, shops, restaurants, food and drink places, a departures lounge, as well as the security checkpoint.
Lounges
The Causeway Lounge is close to Gates 16 and 17 and is open from 5 am until 9 pm. Snacks, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, newspapers, magazines, television, and a designated place for children are among the services provided.
The price starts at €29 per person for 2 hours of access.
Food
The following are bars and restaurants that travellers will find at the airport:
- Caffe Ritazza
- Burger King
- Sip & Stone
- Starbucks
- Fed & Watered
- Northern Quarter Bar
- Coco Diablo
- Northern Quarter
Private Jet Terminal
FBOs operating at Belfast International Airport are:
- Woodgate AviationPhotos of Woodgate Aviation
- Global Trek Aviation (Belfast) Ltd
- Belfast Airport Handling ltd
- Jet Assist
5. Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport is the primary airport servicing Somerset. It’s located just 11 kilometres from the county’s border and processes more than 8.6 million passengers annually.
Bristol Airport is used by a wide variety of market-leading airlines, including those that specialize in low-cost travel, full-service travel, and charter travel. It’s the primary hub for Ryanair and easyJet airlines.
How to Get There
Passengers can quickly and easily make bus travel plans to go to and from Bristol Airport by making reservations online for the Airport Flyer bus services. The Bristol service operates throughout the clock, with frequencies ranging from every 12 minutes to every hour.
Even though there isn’t a railway station at the airport itself, getting to and from Bristol Airport via train is still rather simple. Passengers are transported by CrossCountry to Bristol Temple Meads Station, from whence they can board the Airport Flyer Express and reach the airport in thirty minutes.
Car Rentals
Renting a car at Bristol Airport in the United Kingdom is ideal for getting around and discovering the surrounding region. The following car rental companies operate at Bristol Airport:
- Alamo
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- National
- Budget
- Sixt
- Avis
- Hertz
- Thrifty
You can get further details and make a reservation for a car rental at the following link.
Taxi
The trip from BRS Airport to the centre of Bristol may be completed in around 25 minutes by taxi, depending on the amount of traffic.
For more information, go to the airport’s website by following this link.
Flights
Airlines operating at Bristol Airport are:
- Aegean Airlines
- Aer Lingus
- Aurigny
- BH Air
- Blue Islands
- Corendon Airlines
- easyJet
- Jet2.com
- KLM
- Loganair
- Lufthansa
- Ryanair
- SunExpress
- Swiss International Air Lines
- TUI Airways
- Wizz Air
Airport Services
Travellers will find the following services at Bristol Airport:
- ATMs and currency exchange
- Free Wi-Fi for 2 hours
- Lost and found
- Trolley services
- Smoking area
- Luggage storage
- Special assistance
- Family facilities
- Shops and Duty-Free
- Bars and restaurants
- Water refill station
- Baby changing facilities
- Mobile charging station
- Information center
- Multi-faith area
- Post box
Hotels
The brand-new Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport hotel is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a place to stay for the night. There is a direct walkway to the terminal, just 250 meters away.
Other hotels nearby are:
- The Bristol hotel, 6.8 kilometres away from Bristol International Airport.
- Leonardo Hotel Bristol City is 11.5 kilometres away.
- The distance from Bristol Airport to Hotel du Vin Bristol is 11.4 kilometres.
Terminals
Because Bristol Airport is a “silent airport,” there is no paging system. Because of this, passengers should always keep a close eye on the flight displays. There is only one terminal at Bristol Airport, split into three floors:
Ground Level
Check-in and separate waiting areas for domestic and international travellers are located in this part of the terminal. Customs counters, immigration, passport control, and self-service luggage drop are located on the airport’s Ground Level. Passengers can also find many amenities here, including passenger help, restrooms, baby changing facilities, drinking fountains, taxis and buses, lost property and luggage services, smoking areas, restaurants, and bars, among other things.
First Level
The primary Departures Floor is located here. Passengers go through Security Check and Fast Track Security here and gain access to most boarding gates. Moreover, there are many amenities, including a smoking area, baby changing facilities, drinking fountains, a charging station, shops, and duty-free, among other things.
Mezzanine
On this Level, passengers can find a roof terrace in addition to the two boarding gate areas, charging stations, ATMs, shops and restaurants, drinking fountains, and a multi-faith room.
Lounges
Main Terminal
The AspirePlus Lounge is located in the Main Terminal, just before Security. Services include gourmet meals, alcoholic beverages, light snacks, flight monitors, print editions of newspapers and magazines, and more.
Mezzanine Level
Passengers can find the Aspire Lounge at the Mezzanine level, which opens at 04:00 and closes at 20:00. Snacks, alcoholic beverages, flight monitors, newspapers, Wi-Fi, and magazines are some of the services provided.
Both lounges are smoke-free.
Food
Travellers can find the following bars and restaurants at Bristol Airport:
- Frankie & Benny’s
- SOHO Coffee Co.
- Burger King
- Brunel Bar
- Starbucks
- Brunel Bar
- Cabin Bar
- Tortilla
- Ritazza
Private Jet Terminal
On the south side of the airport complex, there are facilities for private jet charters as well as training facilities for private pilot licenses.
FBOs operating at Bristol Airport are:
Conclusion
The United Kingdom is home to a number of commercial airports that serve as international gateways. Heathrow Airport is reportedly both the biggest and busiest airport in the United Kingdom that serves around 80 million passengers yearly. Additionally, Heathrow Airport serves as a gateway for connecting flights to many different countries.
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