The United Kingdom and the British Isles are home to a variety of airports, ranging from large international hubs to smaller regional airports. These airports connect the UK with destinations around the world, as well as offering convenient domestic flights. Here’s a guide to some of the major airports in the UK and British Isles.
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List of Airports in the United Kingdom and British Isles
1. Heathrow Airport (LHR) – London, England
- Type: International
- Known For: Largest and busiest airport in the UK
Heathrow Airport is the biggest and busiest airport in the UK, and one of the busiest in the world. Located in London, it serves millions of passengers each year with flights to destinations all around the globe. Heathrow is a major hub for British Airways and offers a wide range of international routes to Europe, Asia, the Americas, and more.
2. Gatwick Airport (LGW) – London, England
- Type: International
- Known For: Second-largest airport in London
Gatwick is another key airport serving London, and it is the second-largest in the UK. Known for its efficient operations, Gatwick handles both domestic and international flights, with a focus on European destinations. It is also a popular airport for budget airlines, making it a favorite for travelers looking for affordable flights.
3. Manchester Airport (MAN) – Manchester, England
- Type: International
- Known For: Major northern hub for international travel
Manchester Airport is the largest airport outside of London and serves as the key international gateway for northern England. It offers flights to destinations in Europe, North America, and Asia, making it a major airport for both business and leisure travelers. Manchester is also an important hub for connecting flights within the UK.
4. Edinburgh Airport (EDI) – Edinburgh, Scotland
- Type: International
- Known For: Busiest airport in Scotland
Edinburgh Airport is the busiest airport in Scotland, offering flights to destinations across Europe and beyond. It serves as the main airport for people traveling to and from Scotland’s capital city and has strong links to both domestic and international destinations. Edinburgh is particularly popular with tourists visiting the city’s famous historical sites.
5. Birmingham Airport (BHX) – Birmingham, England
- Type: International
- Known For: Serving the Midlands region
Birmingham Airport is an important hub for the Midlands, providing both domestic and international flights. It’s known for offering a good range of destinations across Europe, as well as some longer-haul flights to North America and Asia. The airport serves the Birmingham metropolitan area and nearby cities.
6. Belfast International Airport (BFS) – Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Type: International
- Known For: Main international airport in Northern Ireland
Belfast International is the primary airport for Northern Ireland, offering both domestic and international flights. It connects Northern Ireland to major cities in the UK and Europe, with routes that include popular holiday destinations. The airport is key for both tourism and business travel in the region.
7. Glasgow Airport (GLA) – Glasgow, Scotland
- Type: International
- Known For: Major Scottish airport
Glasgow Airport is another busy airport in Scotland, offering flights to various destinations across the UK and Europe. It’s a popular departure point for holidaymakers heading to sunny destinations, as well as a gateway for international travelers. The airport also supports a variety of long-haul flights to North America and the Middle East.
8. London Stansted Airport (STN) – London, England
- Type: International
- Known For: Budget airline hub
London Stansted is known for being a hub for low-cost airlines, making it a top choice for budget-conscious travelers. It primarily offers flights to European destinations and is popular with holidaymakers looking for cheap flights. Stansted serves as a major airport for airlines like Ryanair and easyJet.
9. London Luton Airport (LTN) – London, England
- Type: International
- Known For: Budget-friendly and popular with holiday travelers
Luton Airport is another London-area airport that focuses on affordable flights, mainly to European destinations. It’s a favorite for holiday travelers and budget airlines, offering a wide selection of flights to popular vacation spots across Europe.
10. Bristol Airport (BRS) – Bristol, England
- Type: International
- Known For: Gateway for southwestern England
Bristol Airport serves the southwest of England, offering flights to a variety of European destinations. It’s a popular airport for both business and leisure travelers and is known for its friendly, easy-to-navigate layout. The airport offers both domestic routes and international connections.
11. Dublin Airport (DUB) – Dublin, Ireland
- Type: International
- Known For: Largest airport in Ireland
Dublin Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Ireland, serving as a major hub for both domestic and international flights. It offers routes to the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond. Dublin is also a key airport for travelers flying to and from the United States, with pre-clearance for U.S. customs, making it convenient for transatlantic travel.
12. Cork Airport (ORK) – Cork, Ireland
- Type: International
- Known For: Major airport in southern Ireland
Cork Airport is the second-largest airport in Ireland and serves the southern part of the country. It offers flights to destinations across Europe, with a focus on holiday routes and short-haul travel. Cork Airport is known for being efficient and easy to use, making it a popular choice for travelers in the region.
Other Notable Airports:
- Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) – Leeds, England: A key airport for northern England with flights to popular holiday destinations.
- East Midlands Airport (EMA) – Derby, England: A major hub for cargo flights and budget airlines.
- London City Airport (LCY) – London, England: Convenient for business travelers due to its proximity to central London.
Whether you’re traveling across Europe, heading to North America, or just hopping between cities in the UK, these airports offer a wide range of options to get you where you need to go. From the massive Heathrow Airport to regional hubs like Bristol and Belfast, the UK and British Isles have an extensive network of airports to suit every traveler’s needs.
FAQ’s on the List of Airports in United Kingdom and British Isles
1. How many airports are there in the UK?
The UK has over 40 commercial airports, with many smaller regional and private airports as well.
2. What is the busiest airport in the UK?
Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London is the busiest, handling millions of passengers each year.
3. Which airport is the largest by area in the UK?
London Heathrow (LHR) is the largest airport in the UK by passenger volume, but Manchester Airport (MAN) covers the most land.
4. What are the top 5 major airports in the UK?
The biggest and busiest airports include:
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- London Gatwick (LGW)
- Manchester Airport (MAN)
- London Stansted (STN)
- Birmingham Airport (BHX)
5. Do all UK countries have airports?
Yes, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have airports serving both international and domestic flights.
6. What’s the difference between international and regional airports?
International airports handle flights to and from other countries, while regional airports mainly focus on domestic flights and some short-haul international routes.
7. Can I fly from small towns in the UK?
Yes, many regional airports, like Southampton Airport (SOU) and Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), connect smaller towns to larger UK cities and international destinations.
8. How do I know if an airport is international?
An airport is international if it offers flights to other countries. You can usually tell by looking for “International” in the airport’s name.
