Top airports for private jets in the United Kingdom

Farnborough Airport

Farnborough Airport is located to the southwest of London and is designed exclusively for business aviation. The airport is known for its luxurious lounges, commitment to guests’ privacy and highly personalised service. Passengers can drive directly onto the tarmac or spend time enjoying complimentary refreshments in the comfortable lounges. Guests travelling on to London who want to avoid the risk of getting stuck in traffic can take a helicopter directly to London Battersea Heliport.

Farnborough Airport is home to the TAG Aviation Fixed Base Operator (FBO), which is consistently rated one of the best in the world. The spacious and chic lounge sits on the top floor of the terminal overlooking the runway and has coffee machines, snacks and private bathrooms. There’s an on-site customs and immigration facility, Audio-Visual conference rooms and a 24-hour concierge service that can help with trip planning.

• Year opened: 1908
• Distance from central London: 35 miles
• Land area: 310 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 0
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: from 07:00-22:00 weekdays and 08:00-20:00 weekends

London Biggin Hill Airport

London Biggin Hill Airport is best known for its famous Festival of Flight air show, which takes place each August. During the rest of the year, the airport is a favourite with private jet passengers thanks to its quiet location, luxurious facilities and excellent customer service.

The airport has benefitted from a £15 million investment plan and is now one of the most popular London airports. Biggin Hill lies just 16 miles from the capital and passengers can avoid any traffic by booking a helicopter transfer to London Battersea Heliport, cutting the travel time down to just ten minutes.

• Year opened: 1917
• Distance from central London: 16 miles
• Land area: 195 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 0
• Number of FBOs: 2
• Open: from 06:30-22:00 weekdays and 09:00-20:00 weekends

Exeter Airport

Exeter Airport can be found just four miles from central Exeter and is ideally located for passengers travelling to Exeter University or into the beautiful countryside of England’s southwest. Private jets are serviced out of the well-equipped Exeter Corporate Aviation, which offers a VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, a bar and catering.

• Year opened: 1937
• Distance from central Exeter: 4 miles
• Land area: 143 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 16
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: 24 hours a day

London Oxford Airport

London Oxford Airport – located conveniently between London and the Midlands – is just a 20-minute drive from Oxford. While the airport is farther away from central London than some other options, the nearby M40 motorway is considered to be the least congested and often fastest route into London.

The airport is also known as Kidlington and its Oxford Jet FBO features a private lounge with a bar, café and restaurant just steps away. The elegant lounge has on-site security and speedy immigration services.

• Year opened: 1935
• Distance from central London: 60 miles
• Land area: 151 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 1
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: from 06:00-22:30

Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport began in 1930 as the Surrey Aero Club, a small club for flying enthusiasts. Now, Gatwick has grown to be the second largest airport in the UK (behind London Heathrow) based on passenger numbers. The airport is best suited for private jet passengers connecting to an international flight, as there are many international departures per day. The airport is located near Crawley in Surrey and has two terminal buildings connected via a shuttle train. Private flights are serviced out of the sleek Signature FBO, which offers a VIP lounge, gourmet coffee and 24-hour customs clearance.

• Year opened: 1958
• Distance from central London: 25 miles
• Land area: 680 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 165
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: 24 hours a day

London Luton Airport

London Luton Airport, the fifth largest airport in the UK, is most conveniently located for travellers heading into north London. While the airport is a hub for low-cost airlines, the facilities for private jet passengers are among the best in the city. Signature’s Luton FBO, in particular, has been consistently voted the best European FBO by Professional Pilot magazine for its exceptional service and amenities. You can reach Luton Airport via the M1 motorway or train from London St Pancras.

• Year opened: 1938
• Distance from central London: 35 miles
• Land area: 245 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 107
• Number of FBOs: 3
• Open: 24 hours a day

Inverness Airport

Inverness Airport is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and islands, home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK. Located just eight miles from the city of Inverness and close to the Highland Aviation Museum, the airport is a convenient hub for both commercial and private jet passengers. Private charter flights are serviced out of Whiskey Bravo Air and Signature, both of which offer a private lounge with Wi-Fi, refreshments and rental car facilities.

• Year opened: 1947
• Distance from central Inverness: 8 miles
• Land area: 250 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 10
• Number of FBOs: 2
• Open: from 04:00-22:30

Blackpool Airport

Blackpool Airport is set on the Fylde Coast and was one of the first aviation sites in the UK, with a history that dates back to 1909. Blackpool Airport is the gateway to the attractions of the Lake District such as the Lake District National Park, which is great for outdoor activities including hiking and watersports. The airport benefitted from a £2 million refurbishment in 2004 and is home to popular flying schools. Private flights are serviced from two FBOs, Hangar 3 and J-Max Air, which offer VIP lounges and direct apron access.

• Year opened: 1909
• Distance from central Blackpool: 3 miles
• Land area: 161 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 0
• Number of FBOs: 2
• Open: from 07:00-21:00

London RAF Northolt Airport

London RAF Northolt Airport is a favourite of the Queen but serves lucky civilians too. Time slots are limited per day, with a total of 3,500 flights per year, so access comes at a premium. The service may be worth the price tag, however, thanks to the 20-minute drive to Mayfair. The luxurious terminal has a chic lounge, refreshments, high security and direct apron access. On-site meteorologists work to ensure that travellers take the best route possible, saving you time in the sky.

• Year opened: 1915
• Distance from central London: 13 miles
• Land area: 181 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 0
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: from 08:00-20:00 weekdays, 08:00-15:00 Saturdays and 12:00-19:00 Sundays

Edinburgh Airport

Set in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Airport first came to life in 1916 as the Turnhouse Aerodrome, a major British air base in World War I. Now, the airport has been named the fastest growing airport in the UK. Edinburgh is the gateway to the famous Kingdom of Fife, the Central Belt and the beautiful Scottish Borders.

Private flights are serviced out of a Signature FBO, which offers gourmet coffee and a rental car facility. Edinburgh Airport is just an hour from London by private jet and is an extremely popular destination in August, when the city hosts the world’s largest arts and cultural festival, the Edinburgh Fringe.

• Year opened: 1916
• Distance from central Edinburgh: 8 miles
• Land area: 375 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 88
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: from 07:00-23:00 or 24 hours by private arrangement

London City Airport

London City Airport is located in London Docklands, just three miles from Canary Wharf – the heart of the city’s business district. As the only airport actually located in the capital, it’s the best option for fast transfers around the city via the Docklands Light Railway and Underground, making it a top choice for business passengers. London City Airport has one terminal building and serves private and commercial aviation.

There’s a first class and business lounge, with a collection service from the terminal and car park to the lounges and aircraft. The private jet service includes a VIP lounge, on-site immigration and customs and fast arrivals and departures. It takes just 90 seconds to clear customs and alight or board the aircraft. Corporate aviation packages include flight planning, weather briefings and catering.

• Year opened: 1987
• Distance from central London: 6 miles
• Land area: 50 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 44
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: from 06:30-21:30 weekdays, 06:30-12:30 Saturdays and 12:30-21:30 Sundays

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is the gateway to the north of England and the UK’s third largest airport. Established in 1929, the airport was later used by the Royal Air Force in World War II and has been awarded the Globe Travel Awards ‘Best UK Airport’ in recent years. Manchester Airport has a dedicated terminal for private jet services and two FBOs: Signature Flight Support and Premiere Handling.

Private jet passengers can enjoy modern lounges with refreshments, Wi-Fi, speedy customs and immigration services, snooze rooms, conference facilities and valet parking. There’s a chauffeur service from the airport into Manchester and direct access for passengers to be picked up from the aircraft. For flights within Europe, passengers can arrive just 20 minutes before take-off.

• Year opened: 1929
• Distance from central Manchester: 8 miles
• Land area: 560 hectares
• Commercial destinations: 246
• Number of FBOs: 2
• Open: 24 hours a day

East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport is situated in Castle Donington, a rural area between Leicester, Nottingham and Derby. It takes around 30 minutes to reach these cities, which are well connected to the airport via the M1 and A42. The airport is known as a hub for low-cost air carriers, as well as the second-busiest in the UK for air cargo traffic after Heathrow Airport.

The airport was originally an RAF base, which was decommissioned in 1946. Today, there are four FBOs for private jet passengers at East Midlands Airport which have lounges with complimentary refreshments, internet access, a meet-and-greet service and private restrooms.

• Year opened: 1965
• Distance from central Derby: 14 miles
• Commercial destinations: 88
• Number of FBOs: 4
• Open: 24 hours a day

London Southend

London Southend Airport is ideally situated for business travellers heading to east London. Set in Essex, just an hour from central London, the airport is a hub for commercial and private air traffic. Private jet passengers can take advantage of Stobart Aviation FBO's luxurious lounge with Wi-Fi, fast customs and immigration services and direct aircraft access. Formerly a military airfield, London Southend Airport is now one of the UK’s fastest growing regional airports.

• Year opened: 1935
• Distance from central London: 40 miles
• Commercial destinations: 44
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: 24 hours a day

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Named after The Beatles star, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is conveniently located for the northwest of England and less than 10 miles from Liverpool city centre. It's well connected to public transport and major roads for easy access. The airport was built on the grounds of Tudor stately house Speke Hall in the 1930s and originally known as Speke Airport.

Since then, a new runway and several new passenger terminals have been built, with plans to expand the airport further by 2030. Private jet passengers can use the Ravenair Liverpool Aviation Services, which accommodates all kinds of aircraft.

• Year opened: 1933
• Distance from central Liverpool: 9 miles
• Commercial destinations: 70
• Number of FBOs: 1
• Open: 24 hours a day

Other airports for private jet charters in the UK

If you’re looking for more private jet services across the UK, here are some other popular airports to fly from:

• Southampton Airport
• Glenforsa Airfield
• Stansted Airport
• Bristol Airport
• Lydd Airport
• Blackbushe Airport
• Glasgow Prestwick Airport
• Clacton Airport
• Stapleford Airport
• Humberside Airport

Are you flying somewhere else? Contact Air Charter Service for our recommendations on the best airports where you can charter a private jet to your dream destination.