The Nigerian capital Lagos is the center of trade and business in that part of Africa and represents a significant business center on the whole continent as well. And since a lot of business people often travel the London-Lagos route, air travel between these two cities is quite common.
Whether the nature of your trip is professional or leisurely, a private jet would be your best choice in terms of transportation means. After all, it’s the fastest and most comfortable way to travel, so it’s no wonder why more and more people are choosing to fly private. And if you’re not that informed on this topic, read on to find out the cost, jet sizes, and models, and airports and FBOs so that you can plan your trip to Lagos stress-free.
Topics
London to Lagos: Overview
Since Nigeria and the UK are located on two different continents, you’re aware that there’s quite a distance between these two countries. This is why air travel is the best transportation option, and depending on the jet you go for, you can get to Lagos in around 6 to 7 hours.
Given that the flight distance for this route is 3100 miles, I recommend choosing a midsize or a heavy jet for the shortest flight time and most comfort. However, since some companies like Private Fly offer turboprops and light jets for this route, I’ll recommend some jets of the sort later on in the article as well.
The price to pay for renting a jet for this route amounts to some £40,000 / 47,000 EUR. This will be more elaborated in the respective chapter, since prices differ from company to company.
And lastly, private flyers need to choose a private airport or a fixed-base operator (FBO) that’ll host their flight. London has at least 30 options that you can choose from, and Lagos has some great FBOs as well, as it is a business center at the end of the day.
Now, let’s get into more detail on these matters and start with the cost.
Pricing Options
This topic deserves special attention as it’s perhaps the most important one, and many variables affect the final price. The price for hiring a private jet depends on many factors, such as the type and size of the jet, model and make, date and time of flying, and so on.
Another thing you should be aware of is that not every company offers all types of jets. The Aviation Factory, for example, only offers midsize and heavy jets for this route. Private Fly, on the other hand, offers some long-range turboprops and light jets, but you’ll surely have to stop for refueling.
Let’s see the average costs for jets of different sizes and compare the prices between these two companies.
London to Lagos Average Flight Prices (Private Fly)
Aircraft type | Number of passengers | London to Lagos route price | Estimated flight time |
Turboprop | 5 – 19 | £38,000 / 45,000 EUR | 8 hours |
Light jet | 5 – 11 | £42,500 / 50,000 EUR | 6 hours 40 minutes |
Midsize jet | 5 – 11 | £72,500 / 85,000 EUR | 6 hours 30 minutes |
Heavy jet | 4 – 96 | £89,500 / 105,000 EUR | 6 hours 30 minutes |
London to Lagos Average Flight Prices (The Aviation Factory)
Aircraft type | Number of passengers | London to Lagos route price | Estimated flight time |
Turboprop | / | / | / |
Light jet | / | / | / |
Midsize jet | 6 – 10 | £31,500 / 37,000 EUR | 6 hours 25 minutes |
Heavy jet | 4 – 96 | £33,500 / 39,500 EUR | 6 hours 25 minutes |
Now that you know what to expect in terms of costs, let’s move on to the airports and FBOs that can host your flight.
London to Lagos Airports
London has a couple of private airports, as well as some commercial airports with FBOs nearby to accommodate private flyers.
London Stansted Airport to Lagos
If you live or are currently residing in the respective area, then Stansted Airport is a great way to travel from London. It comprises a great number of FBOs, within the airport building as well as in its surroundings.
The airport is located some 40 miles northeast of Victoria Station, the biggest and most central bus and train station in London. You need about an hour by car to reach it, or a bit longer if you decide to use public transportation.
Here’s a list of all the FBOs and ground handlers that you can find in the area and the airport itself:
- Fayair Ltd;
- Infinite Jet Center;
- X Jet London;
- London Jet Center;
- Universal Aviation;
- Diamond Hangar Ltd;
- Antonov Airlines UK;
- North Air Ltd,
- Harrods Aviation;
- Ruslan International;
- Titan Airways;
- London Jet Charter;
- Inflite The Jet Center;
- NATS Jet Stansted;
- Aeronexus;
- GT Engine Services;
- Swissport.
London Heathrow Airport to Lagos
There is no need for a special introduction of the Heathrow Airport in London. It has the most favorable position in terms of distance from the city center. It’s the country’s busiest airport with operation numbers ranking high on world levels.
Heathrow Airport is aware of its VIP clientele, so it offers special lounges to the respective passengers. However, this airport is not so popular among private flyers, due to the low number of FBOs compared to the airport’s size and reputation. But despite this, it does have one of the best FBOs in the country.
Signature Flight Support operates a private terminal at Heathrow and it’s quite a gem. It has been visited by Heads of State and Royals, so it has everything that a high-end private flyer would need.
Considered one of the world’s best FBOs by many, this pet-friendly private terminal earned its reputation by offering all sorts of VIP concierge services, showers, different forms of entertainment, and other services and amenities. The staff is truly professional and will assist you with anything you ask them to, like booking you a ride, hotel, or a table at a restaurant.
London Luton Airport to Lagos
Some 40 miles away from London’s central area lies London Luton, a well-known British airport that mainly operates low-budget flights by WizzAir and Ryanair, but hosts private flights as well.
Those flying private most often opt for one of the two terminals run nearby by Signature Flight Support. They’re named after their ordinal number – T1 and T2. The first one is pretty special as readers of the Professional Pilot magazine have voted it the best one outside the USA.
Obviously, you’ll find nothing less than a modern-looking FBO with beautiful and spacious lounges, conference halls, as well as the best treatment by the professional team.
Biggin Hill Airport to Lagos
Biggin Hill is a private airport located some 17 miles south of Victoria Station, unlike Luton and Stansted that is on the opposite side of the city center. Since the airport is private, there is no dilemma that the terminals are also suitable for private flying.
Passenger handling is done by two fixed-base operators (FBOs), i.e. two companies. One is the omnipresent Signature Flight Support, while the other terminal is run by the Executive Handling team, a department within Biggin Hill’s structure.
Farnborough Airport to Lagos
Although Farnborough Airport is considered to be a London airport, note that it’s quite far from the city center and technically belongs to Rushmoor, Hampshire. To reach it, you’ll have to travel an hour and 40 minutes by car, and more or less the same via public transport.
Farnborough is one of Britain’s most famous airports for business jets and it serves as a hub of sorts. The personnel working there are kind and have received nothing but good remarks by visitors throughout the years.
The airport offers other VIP services as well, such as an air taxi which can take you to or from London’s central area in under 10 minutes. All this is accompanied by luxurious lounges, conference rooms, a bar, and other amenities.
Lagos Airports
Flights from and to Lagos take place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, or simply Lagos International Airport.
Lagos might not be as rich with FBOs as London, but there is enough choice and well-equipped private terminals.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport
What people consider to be the best terminal in Africa is called the MM2 terminal and is located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. It’s located in the official airport building, and represents the country’s first self-check-in terminal, operating the departures and arrivals.
If you’re a private flyer, you’ll be happy to know that there’s an incredible VIP lounge, including all sorts of concierge services, as well as drinks, snacks, TV, or reading materials.
Moreover, you can become a member of the MM2 terminal and get a premium membership card that will open new services to you, like fine dining, parking, and fast access to the fast track.
In case you’re more of a classic FBO person, there are a few companies running them near or within the Lagos International Airport. Such companies are ExecuJet and EAN Aviation, which many would say offer the best FBO service in Murtala Muhammed’s surroundings.
The lounges are nicely equipped and are completely tailored for VIP flyers’ needs. There is access to a restaurant, catering, as well as special services such as dry cleaning.
Which Jet Models Can Fly You to Lagos From London?
As we mentioned, you can fly with any type of jet to Lagos, but choosing a turboprop or a light jet will require making one stop for refuelling. Let’s see what’s on offer.
Small (Turboprops, Light Jets) and Midsize Jets
The Pilatus C-12 would be a good option if you don’t mind spending extra time in the air. The jet will take you to Lagos in 8 hours and 50 minutes, and it can take 6 people on board. This jet could cost you some £22,000 / 26,000 EUR to rent.
For a light jet, consider the Phenom 300. This jet is mostly famous for flying mid-range flights, but you can take it to Lagos as well. It needs less time than the Pilatus, of course, 6 hours and 45 minutes according to Private Fly. The cabin is pretty wide and comfortable for a light jet, as it can take six people onboard. The price to pay for this one is around £24,000 / 28,000 EUR.
As we already said, a midsize jet would be the best option if you don’t want to make a stop for fuel and want more comfort and speed, so I’d recommend the Hawker 900XP. This jet is very affordable, can take 9 people in its wide cabin, and needs 6 hours and 35 minutes to reach the destination. You’ll have to pay some £36,000 / 42,000 EUR for this aircraft.
Another cool midsize jet that I’d propose is the Citation Sovereign. With this jet, you’ll be able to take 8 more people with you in a lovely modern-looking walk-around cabin and be in Lagos in 6 hours and 45 minutes. All this has a price and it’s around £46,000 / 54,000 EUR.
At the same time, you can consider the Hawker 4000. This midsize jet has a seating capacity of 9 passengers and needs 6 hours and 20 minutes to reach Lagos from London. The price is high but worth it – some £50,000 / 58,500 EUR.
The final midsize that I’d like to point out is the Legacy 450. This jet has a very comfortable cabin with ultra-comfortable seats, 8 of them, actually. It costs some £51,000 / 60,000 EUR to rent and needs 6 hours and 20 minutes to reach Lagos.
Heavy Jets
A trip like this is mostly associated with heavy jets. That’s the jet to choose if you want to fly in extreme comfort and reach your destination in around 6 hours.
One of my favorite heavy jets is the Legacy 600. This one will take you to Lagos in 6 hours and 55 minutes, and costs some £38,000 / 44,500 EUR to rent. It’s a very comfortable jet that has 13 big seats, is pet-friendly, and is suitable for smokers.
Another interesting choice is the Challenger 605. With this jet, you’ll reach Lagos in 6 hours and 35 minutes, and it will cost you some £50,000 / 58,500 EUR to rent it. It has quite a big cabin that fits 12 people and has an additional sofa in the cabin on which you can sleep.
Finally, if you don’t mind spending a little bit more money, consider the Falcon 2000EX EASy. The jet will take you from London to Lagos in 6 hours and 30 minutes, but you’ll pay some £70,000 / 82,000 EUR for it. Its huge cabin is designed to welcome 10 passengers and provide them with the ultimate comfort.
Prices Per Plane Type: Overview
Below, you will find the prices per plane type and model.
Plane type | |||
Light and midsize jets | Number of passengers | Flight time | Price |
Pilatus PC-12 | 6 | 8 hours 50 minutes | £22,000 / 26,000 EUR |
Phenom 300 | 6 | 6 hours 45 minutes | £24,000 / 28,000 EUR |
Hawker 900XP | 9 | 6 hours 35 minutes | £36,000 / 42,000 EUR |
Citation Sovereign | 8 | 6 hours 45 minutes | £46,000 / 54,000 EUR |
Hawker 4000 | 9 | 6 hours 20 minutes | £50,000 / 58,500 EUR |
Legacy 450 | 8 | 6 hours 20 minutes | £51,000 / 60,000 EUR |
Heavy jets | |||
Legacy 600 | 13 | 6 hours 55 minutes | £38,000 / 44,500 EUR |
Challenger 605 | 12 | 6 hours 35 minutes | £50,000 / 58,500 EUR |
Falcon 2000EX EASy | 10 | 6 hours 30 minutes | £70,000 / 82,000 EUR |
Conclusion
The London-Lagos route is often flown by both business persons as well as tourists. It’s quite a long one as it will take you some six and a half hours to get there, and much longer if you choose a smaller plane that has to stop for fuel on the way.
Note that a flight like this is not cheap. The least you could spend is some £36,000 / 42,000 EUR, but you will have much more choice if you set your budget at £40,000 / 47,000 EUR.
Happy travels and enjoy Lagos!