London is Europe's busiest market for business aviation. The City hosts banks, investment funds and international headquarters. Mayfair and Knightsbridge are home to the continent's leading family offices. Private jet traffic remains high year-round.
The city also draws visitors for its cultural and events calendar. The Victoria and Albert Museum, Cork Street galleries, Wimbledon, Royal Ascot — each season brings a measurable spike in charter traffic across the capital's three private airports.
Three airports serve London for private flights. Farnborough (FAB/EGLF) is exclusively dedicated to private aviation. London Luton (LTN/EGGW) operates around the clock with no curfew. Biggin Hill (BQH/EGKB) is the closest to the financial centre. The right airport depends on aircraft type, schedule and final destination within London. As an independent broker, Artheau Aviation compares the options available on the charter market to find the best fit for each flight.
Which airports should you choose to reach London by private jet?
Farnborough Airport (FAB/EGLF)
Farnborough Airport is exclusively reserved for private aviation. It is the only London airport in this category. It sits 55 km southwest of central London.
The TAG Farnborough Airport terminal, operated by TAG Aviation, handles all ground operations. The main runway measures 2,440 metres — long enough to accommodate long-range aircraft such as the Gulfstream G650, Global 7500 or Falcon 8X. The airport operates under IFR Cat III conditions, which limits weather-related cancellations.
Slots are controlled and the number of daily movements is deliberately limited. For passengers, this means less waiting and a quieter environment. On the other hand, it is best to book slots well in advance, especially in June (Royal Ascot) and during peak demand periods.
London Luton Airport (LTN/EGGW)
London Luton Airport is located 50 km north of London. It handles both commercial and business aviation traffic. Three FBOs operate on site: Harrods Aviation, Signature Flight Support and ExecuJet.
The runway measures 2,160 metres and accommodates all aircraft types, including long-range jets. Luton operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no night curfew. It is the only London private airport offering this availability.
In practice, this is the airport to choose for late arrivals or very early departures, particularly on transatlantic routes (New York, Dubai, Hong Kong). FBOs coordinate CIQ formalities in advance, which reduces time on the ground. Allow approximately 45 to 50 minutes by road to reach the City.
Biggin Hill Airport (BQH/EGKB)
Biggin Hill Airport is the closest to central London: 20 km southeast of the City. A former RAF base, it is now fully dedicated to business aviation.
The Rizon Jet terminal handles ground operations and offers passenger lounges. The runway measures 1,802 metres — suitable for light and midsize jets (Citation XLS+, Phenom 300E, Hawker 900XP) as well as selected super-midsize aircraft such as the Falcon 2000. The airport operates from 06:00 to 23:00 on weekdays, with reduced hours at weekends.
The main advantage is the transfer time to the City: allow 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic via the A21 and M25. It is the logical choice for a morning meeting in the financial district or a same-day return trip. Hangars are available for aircraft parking between rotations.
Private Jet Flight Prices From This Destination
Luxurious experiences
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Kensington and Chelsea: prestigious residences and royal gardens
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West End and Covent Garden: British cultural excellence
London's West End rivals Broadway for the quality of its theatrical productions, from Shakespearean classics to contemporary musicals. The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden programmes world-renowned operas and ballets in a sumptuous neoclassical setting. The historic theatres (National Theatre, Old Vic, Apollo Victoria) and the district's Michelin-starred restaurants (The Ivy, J Sheekey) compose an unrivalled cultural and gastronomic offering.
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Mayfair and Knightsbridge: the epicentre of London luxury
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The City and Canary Wharf: temples of global finance
The City of London brings together the Bank of England, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the headquarters of historic investment banks within a square mile perimeter. Canary Wharf, an ultra-modern district built in the Docklands, hosts the HSBC, Citigroup and JPMorgan towers. These two financial centres welcome thousands of executives and investment bankers from around the world daily for M&A operations, capital raises and strategic advisory.
Which aircraft category should you choose for London?
Aircraft selection depends on three factors: departure city, number of passengers and schedule constraints. On short European routes, Light Jets are sufficient. For intercontinental flights, Long Range aircraft are required.
From Paris, Geneva or Brussels (1h00 to 1h30 flight time), a Citation CJ3+ (7 passengers) or a Phenom 300E (8 passengers) covers the mission non-stop, with direct access to all three London airports. The cost-to-efficiency ratio is optimal at these distances.
From the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe or Scandinavia (2h00 to 3h30), a Super Midsize such as the Citation XLS+ (8 passengers) or Hawker 900XP (9 passengers) provides a stand-up cabin, greater baggage capacity and the range needed for the route. Direct Athens-London or Stockholm-London rotations are possible without a fuel stop.
For transatlantic routes (New York, Dubai, Hong Kong), the Gulfstream G650 (14 passengers), Global 7500 (14 passengers) or Falcon 8X (12 passengers) are the right aircraft. Spacious cabin, rest area, satellite connectivity, range up to 7,500 nautical miles. On these flights, Farnborough makes the most sense: full CIQ infrastructure and post-Brexit customs formalities handled by the on-site FBOs.
Artheau Aviation compares available aircraft on the charter market based on the profile of each flight: runway constraints, passenger count, baggage, cabin preferences. No fleet of our own, no bias — simply the aircraft that fits the mission.
Why choose Arteau Aviation?
12 years of international experience
Carbon offset & sustainable fuel
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Strict international standards
Absolute discretion on every flight
Fast and tailored solutions
FAQ
Biggin Hill (BQH/EGKB) is the closest to the City: 20 km southeast. Allow 35 to 45 minutes by road via the A21 and M25. It is the most direct option for a morning meeting in the financial district.
London Luton (LTN/EGGW) is the alternative when the schedule requires a night flight or very early arrival (before 7:00am) — it is the only airport open around the clock. Allow 45 to 50 minutes by road via the M1 and A1. Farnborough (FAB/EGLF) suits longer stays combining London meetings with travel to Surrey, the Cotswolds or Oxfordshire.
Since Brexit, all flights from the European Union to the United Kingdom are treated as international flights. Full CIQ procedures apply: customs, immigration, quarantine. All three London private airports have dedicated CIQ terminals. Allow 15 to 25 minutes for formalities, compared with 60 to 90 minutes at a commercial terminal.
EU nationals do not need a visa for tourist or business stays under 6 months, but a valid passport is required — national ID cards are no longer accepted. FBOs at Farnborough, Luton and Biggin Hill submit passenger information in advance (API, Advance Passenger Information) to speed up processing on arrival.
Yes, a private jet day-trip to London works well, particularly for events such as Wimbledon, Royal Ascot or a West End premiere. Luton and Biggin Hill are the best-suited airports for this format, given their schedule flexibility and proximity to central London.
From Paris, Geneva or Brussels, allow 1h00 to 1h30 flight time. A departure between 8:00am and 9:00am, a full day on site, and a return between 8:00pm and 9:00pm. FBOs handle aircraft parking, catering and refuelling for the return flight. Artheau Aviation coordinates the full sequence with the operator to keep the timing on track.
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