Mayfair, Knightsbridge or Chelsea
Farnborough, unless the flight lands late. One private terminal, Border Force on site and nothing but business aviation on the ramp.
Farnborough Airport
Private jet airports in London
Five airports take most of London's private flights, and opening hours decide as much as distance. How Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Luton, Stansted and London City compare, checked against the official sources.
Compare the airportsAirport details checked 5 October 2026.
Photograph: Steve Lynes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- Airports compared
- 5, and 4 more around London
- Closest to Mayfair
- London City, about 8 miles
- Business aviation only
- Farnborough
- Open through the night
- Luton and Stansted, by slot
- Weight limit
- Farnborough, 80 tonnes
- Helicopter to Battersea
- Six minutes from Biggin Hill
Reviewed by The 0.1% Group private aviation team · Last checked
Find your London airport
Five airports, and the clock decides
Most of London's private flights use five airports. Farnborough, south-west of the city, is the only one in the UK given over entirely to business aviation. Biggin Hill sits on the south-eastern edge of Greater London, and London City, in the Docklands, is the closest to the centre, for aircraft certified for its steep approach.
Luton and Stansted are airline airports with large private terminals, and they matter for two reasons: the longest runways and the only round-the-clock opening, though night slots are scarce. For flights, prices and aircraft into the city, see private jet to London.
Best London airports for private jets compared
Opening hours rule London more than any other city: Farnborough and Biggin Hill close in the evening, London City closes on Saturday afternoon, and the two that stay open need a night slot.
| Airport | From Mayfair | Aircraft | Customs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farnborough Airport FAB | About 32 miles; under an hour to central London by car, by the airport's figure | Up to 80 tonnes; above 50 tonnes within a yearly quota | Border Force on site, during opening hours | Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Surrey, Berkshire |
| London Biggin Hill Airport BQH | About 14 miles; under 50 minutes by car, or six minutes by helicopter to Battersea | Most business jets; 1,806 m runway | Border Force in the terminal, during opening hours | The City, Canary Wharf, Kent |
| London Luton Airport LTN | About 27 miles; north of London on the M1 | Large cabins included; a slot for every flight | Around the clock at Signature | North London, Hertfordshire, late flights |
| London Stansted Airport STN | About 30 miles; about 45 minutes to the City and Canary Wharf, by the airport's figure | Every size, including VIP airliners; 3,049 m runway | Around the clock; notice by 9 pm for night arrivals | VIP airliners, the City, Cambridge |
| London City Airport LCY | About 8 miles; three miles from Canary Wharf, five from the City | Only types certified for a 5.5° approach | By arrangement, notice by 2 pm the day before | The City and Canary Wharf, short European flights |
Distances are straight-line from Mayfair; drive times are indicative and depend on the hour. Airport details checked against the official sources on 5 October 2026; procedures change, so we reconfirm them for every flight.
Where private jets land in London
Farnborough lies south-west in Hampshire, Luton and Stansted north and north-east, Biggin Hill on the south-eastern edge of Greater London, and London City beside the Thames in the Docklands. Lines are straight-line distances to Mayfair.
Which London private jet airport should I use?
Start with where you are staying and when you land. These are the cases we see most.
The City, Canary Wharf or Kent
Biggin Hill for most aircraft, with a six-minute helicopter to Battersea; London City when the aircraft is approved for its steep approach.
London Biggin Hill AirportLanding after 11 pm
Luton or Stansted, the only two open through the night, and both ration night slots. We request one when we book.
London Luton AirportA Boeing or Airbus business jet
Stansted, with the longest runway around London and terminals built for heads of state. Farnborough takes them too, within its quota for aircraft over 50 tonnes.
London Stansted AirportParis or Geneva for the day
London City for the shortest drive from the City, if the aircraft is approved; otherwise Biggin Hill or Farnborough.
London City AirportHertfordshire or north London
Luton, the nearest of the large airports, with Signature and Harrods' Omnia terminal.
London Luton Airport
FAB · EGLF · Farnborough, Hampshire
Farnborough Airport
- from Mayfair
- 32 miles
- maximum aircraft weight
- 80 tonnes
- weekday hours
- 7 am–10 pm
Photograph: Steve Lynes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Farnborough calls itself the UK's largest and only dedicated business aviation airport, and it is the usual answer for the West End: no scheduled flights, one private terminal, and cars that drive to the aircraft. It sits in Hampshire, about 32 miles from Mayfair in a straight line; the airport puts central London at under an hour by car, or twelve minutes by helicopter.
Farnborough in detail: rules, customs and FBOs
Its rules are written into the planning permission. The airport is open from 7 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 8 pm at weekends and on bank holidays, closes on 25 and 26 December, and allows 50,000 movements a year, no more than 8,900 of them at weekends. Nothing may arrive or leave outside those hours, so the landing time is the first thing we check.
No aircraft may weigh more than 80 tonnes, and those between 50 and 80 tonnes share a quota of 1,500 movements a year, 270 at weekends. That covers the Global 7500 and the Boeing and Airbus business jets, within the quota. The runway is 2,440 m long.
The terminal at Farnborough
There is one: the airport's own handling is normally mandatory, so every flight uses the same building.
Farnborough Airport
The airport runs the terminal, the ramp and the hangars. Cars drive straight to the aircraft, customs, immigration and screening are in the building, and the terminal was designed for discretion, with lounges more like a private members' club than an airport. Hangar space is available for visiting aircraft.
BQH · EGKB · Bromley, south-east London
London Biggin Hill Airport
- from Mayfair
- 14 miles
- by helicopter to Battersea
- 6 minutes
- weekday hours
- 6.30 am–11 pm
Photograph: HawkeyeUK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Biggin Hill is inside Greater London, in the borough of Bromley, about 14 miles from Mayfair and the City in a straight line. It is the natural airport for the City, Canary Wharf and Kent, and the helicopter shuttle to The London Heliport at Battersea takes six minutes.
London Biggin Hill in detail: rules, customs and FBOs
It is strictly by prior permission and open from 6.30 am to 11 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 10 pm at weekends and on public holidays, with Border Force on duty whenever the airport is open. The runway is 1,806 m long, which suits most business jets; for the heaviest long-range departures we look at Stansted or Farnborough.
The FBOs at Biggin Hill
Two private terminals. Signature has left the airport, and Bombardier's large service centre here maintains aircraft rather than handling passengers.
Biggin Hill Executive Handling
The airport's own terminal, with Border Force in the building and cars and helicopters able to reach the ramp directly.
Jetex London
A 1,900 m² private terminal in the hangar Signature used to occupy, with Border Force and customs on site. Jetex puts central London at under 50 minutes by car.
LTN · EGGW · Luton, Bedfordshire
London Luton Airport
- from Mayfair
- 27 miles
- open, by slot
- 24 hours
- runway
- 2,162 m
Photograph: Alan Wilson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Luton, north of London on the M1, is an airline airport with two large private terminals, and it matters for two reasons: it is open around the clock, and its runway and terminals take large aircraft. It is about 27 miles from Mayfair in a straight line and the nearest of the large airports to north London and Hertfordshire.
London Luton in detail: rules, customs and FBOs
Every flight needs a slot from Airport Coordination Ltd, and nights are restricted: no aircraft noisier than quota count 1 between 11 pm and 7 am, and in summer 2026 only a handful of night slots a month for the quietest aircraft. A late arrival into London is possible here, but it is booked, not assumed.
The FBOs at Luton
Signature
Terminal 1 on Percival Way is open around the clock, with customs and immigration in the building and cars on the ramp; its heated hangar is for day use. Terminal 2 at Britannia House opens on request.
Harrods Aviation: The Omnia
Harrods' Luton terminal on President Way, renamed The Omnia in 2025.
STN · EGSS · Stansted, Essex
London Stansted Airport
- from Mayfair
- 30 miles
- the longest runway around London
- 3,049 m
- private terminals
- 5
Photograph: Ronnie Macdonald, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Stansted has the longest runway around London, 3,049 m, and the most private terminals of any London airport, which makes it the usual London airport for the Boeing and Airbus business jets and for heads-of-state flights. It is about 30 miles from Mayfair in a straight line; the airport puts the City and Canary Wharf at 45 minutes.
London Stansted in detail: rules, customs and FBOs
It is open around the clock with the airport's approval, and every flight needs a slot. Border Force is staffed from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm and around the clock with notice by 9 pm, but nights are governed by the government's quota, and in summer 2026 business aviation was reported closed from 11.30 pm to 6 am.
The FBOs at Stansted
Signature does not operate here; four companies run five private terminals.
Harrods Aviation: The Brompton and The Knightsbridge
Two terminals: The Brompton for private and corporate flights, The Knightsbridge for royalty, heads of state and large groups.
Universal Aviation
Open 24 hours, with separate arrival and departure lounges and customs and immigration in the building.
London Jet Centre
In the Diamond Hangar, 94,000 sq ft, built for widebody aircraft, with its own immigration and security screening.
Inflite Jet Centre
Lounges sized for parties from two to two hundred.
LCY · EGLC · Royal Docks, east London
London City Airport
- from Mayfair
- 8 miles
- approach: certified types only
- 5.5°
- closed from 12.30 pm
- Saturday
Photograph: James Petts, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
London City is the closest private jet terminal to the centre: three miles from Canary Wharf, five from the City and about 8 miles from Mayfair in a straight line. Its runway is 1,508 m long and its approach is a steep 5.5°, so only aircraft certified for that approach may use it. The Dassault Falcons, the 7X and 8X among them, are; we confirm the type for every flight.
London City in detail: rules, customs and FBOs
Hours are the other constraint. The airport opens at 6.30 am and closes at 10 pm on weekdays, at 12.30 pm on Saturday, and reopens at 12.30 pm on Sunday. Every flight needs a slot, and Border Force is arranged with notice by 2 pm the day before.
The terminal at London City
Private Jet Centre
Formerly the London City Airport Jet Centre. The airport promises a 90-second arrival and departure, Border Force clearance is arranged in advance, and there is no hangar for visiting aircraft.
Other airports around London
RAF Northolt (NHT)
A military airfield in west London open to civil flights from 8 am to 8 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5 pm at weekends, by prior permission and slot, with military flights first. It is not a port of entry.
London Oxford (OXF)
Kidlington, for Oxford and the Cotswolds, with a 1,526 m runway and opening from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm.
London Southend (SEN)
Essex, open around the clock with customs around the clock and a 1,856 m runway.
The London Heliport
Battersea, open from 7 am to 11 pm every day, for the helicopter from Biggin Hill or Farnborough.
Private jet airports in London
Not sure whether to use Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Luton, Stansted or London City?
Send us your route, date and where you are staying. We will recommend the airport, aircraft and live charter option.
Popular routes from London's airports
Each route page has the flight time, the airports at both ends, the aircraft that suit it and an indicative price.
Private jet London to New York
Farnborough or Luton to Teterboro; Stansted for a VIP airliner.
Private jet London to Dubai
Farnborough by day, Luton or Stansted for a night departure.
Private jet London to Paris
London City or Biggin Hill for the shortest drive, an hour to Le Bourget.
Private jet London to Geneva
London City or Farnborough, and the Alps by lunch.
Private jet London to Miami
A heavy jet from Farnborough, or Stansted for a larger cabin.
Private jet London to Los Angeles
Ultra-long-range from Farnborough or Stansted, non-stop to Van Nuys.
Aircraft for London's airports
The jets we fly most out of London, and what the airports mean for each.
How the airport changes the price
The hourly rate follows the aircraft, but the airport adds its own lines: landing and handling at Farnborough and Biggin Hill, slot and night charges at Luton and Stansted, and parking for an aircraft that waits. The larger cost is usually positioning, if the aircraft is based at a different London airport. The private jet charter cost guide has the hourly rates by cabin and what moves a quote.
How far you can fly from London
Range depends on the aircraft, the passengers, the winds and the routing. Westbound to New York the jet stream is in your face, so a super-midsize jet that reaches New York non-stop on the way back may need a stop on the way out. The private jet range finder shows which aircraft fly your route non-stop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best private jet airport for central London?
Farnborough for the West End: the UK's only dedicated business aviation airport, under an hour from central London by its own figure. For the City and Canary Wharf, Biggin Hill or London City. After 10 pm, Luton or Stansted.
Farnborough or Biggin Hill?
Farnborough for the West End, Surrey and Berkshire; Biggin Hill for the City, Canary Wharf and Kent. Biggin Hill also stays open an hour later on weekdays and two hours later at weekends, and has a six-minute helicopter to Battersea.
Which London airports are open at night for private jets?
Luton and Stansted, both around the clock, but both ration night movements: Luton allows only the quietest aircraft between 11 pm and 7 am, and in summer 2026 Stansted was reported closed to business aviation from 11.30 pm to 6 am. Farnborough closes at 10 pm on weekdays and 8 pm at weekends; Biggin Hill at 11 pm and 10 pm.
Can any private jet use London City Airport?
No. Its approach is 5.5°, steeper than most airports, and only aircraft certified for it may land. The Dassault Falcons, including the 7X and 8X, are approved; we confirm each type when we book.
Where do VIP airliners land in London?
Usually Stansted, which has the longest runway around London and terminals built for heads of state. Farnborough takes aircraft up to 80 tonnes, which covers the Boeing and Airbus business jets, within a yearly quota.
Do I clear immigration in the private terminal?
Yes, at all five. Border Force works in the terminal at Farnborough, Biggin Hill and Luton; at Stansted it is staffed by day and arranged with notice at night, and at London City it is arranged the day before. A General Aviation Report is filed before every international flight; we file it.
How do I get from Biggin Hill to central London quickly?
The helicopter shuttle to The London Heliport at Battersea takes six minutes, with a car waiting at the London end. By road, the FBO puts central London at under 50 minutes.
Sources: 19 official pages, checked 5 October 2026
Reviewed by The 0.1% Group private aviation team. Codes, runways, customs, curfews and FBO operators checked against these pages on 5 October 2026. Operating rules change; we reconfirm them with the airport and the handler for every flight.
- UK AIP, Farnborough (EGLF) AD 2, AIRAC 1 October 2026
- UK AIP, London Biggin Hill (EGKB) AD 2
- UK AIP, London Luton (EGGW) AD 2
- UK AIP, London Stansted (EGSS) AD 2
- UK AIP, London City (EGLC) AD 2
- Farnborough Airport: passengers
- Farnborough planning statement, November 2025 (movement and weight conditions)
- London Biggin Hill Airport: FBOs
- London Biggin Hill Airport: heli shuttle
- Jetex London Biggin Hill
- London Luton Airport: business and private aviation
- Signature Aviation, London Luton
- London Stansted: why Stansted for general aviation
- AIN: Harrods distinguishes its two Stansted FBOs, August 2023
- Universal Aviation, London Stansted
- London Jet Centre, Diamond Hangar
- GOV.UK: general aviation reporting guidance, June 2026
- ops.group: London night operations, April 2026
- Office for National Statistics boundaries (map), Open Government Licence v3.0; contains OS data, Crown copyright and database right 2025
Which airport, which aircraft, what price?
Send us your route, date and where you are staying in London. We will recommend the airport, aircraft and live charter option.