With the biggest and busiest airspace in the world, London is the main centre of international air transport. Flights to London, whether to Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton or City airport, arrive very near to the capital city.
Although the city has eight airports, the major hub of national flag carrier, British Airways, is the London Heathrow Airport, located in Hillingdon, West London. Catering to all international flights from most major airports worldwide, the Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport of the world.
Located 15 miles west of London, the Heathrow airport has five terminals. While planning the itinerary, one needs to consider the waiting time required to get through T3, especially if the traveller does not have an UK/EU passport.
London Gatwick Airport, situated in West Sussex, 28 miles south of central London, is another major airport with traffic similar to London Heathrow along with some low-cost short-haul flights.
Located in north east of London in Essex, Stansted Airport is the main hub for Ryanair in UK, while Luton Airport in Bedfordshire, north of London, usually caters to short-haul flights. Short-haul scheduled flights and business jet traffic is handled at London City Airport situated ten miles east of London's West End, which is the smallest and most central airport in London.
British Airways flights to London from New York, Edinburgh and other cities around the UK arrive at Heathrow Airport as well as London City Airport. With soaring competition in the domestic flight market, domestic flight prices are often very reasonable.
All airports are easily accessible with shuttle buses and offers reserved parking spaces for travellers as well as disabled badge holders. Assistance is also provided with boarding and alighting from aircraft.
All terminals of Heathrow airport have lettered zones and numbered gateways. Various shops and restaurants are located on the first floor of terminals 1, 3 and 4, including eateries such as Cafe Rouge, Skylark Wetherspoons, Pret a Manger and Costa Coffee. There are airport shops consisting of World Duty Free, Fortnum and Mason, Hamleys and Harrods, on the first floor of Terminal 2.
London City Airport has numerous restaurants and coffee shops including, EAT, Coffee Corner, Meridian Line, Caffé Nero, Trattoria and others.
All London airports are well connected and facilitate easy travelling to the city through trains, buses and taxis. The easiest way to travel from the airport is through the docklands light railway (DLR). DLR station is an over ground system connected to the airport terminal where the trains depart every 8 to 15 minutes to Canning Town.
London Heathrow airport is near to the M3, M4 and M25, making it easily accessible by road. Various underground trains, buses and coaches run from the airport to central London and nearby cities and towns, such as Guildford, Leatherhead, Staines, Windsor and Woking.
Heathrow connect rail is the fastest way to travel in London. Executive car hire as well as chauffeur car hires are also available at the London airport for travelling to the city.
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