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Heathrow is the world's busiest international airport and the base for British Airways (BA). It is the prefered airport for the major country flag carriers. Terminals 1,2 & 3 are located in the central area, terminal 4 is on the south side and terminal 5 on the west side is planned to open in 2008 as BA's new hub.

Located 20 miles west of London the airport and is connected by the M4 motorway and expensive Heathrow Express train service to Paddington station (15 mins) and by the cheaper but better connected Piccadilly Line underground (Tube). You can also take a traditional London Black Cab if you don't want to carry heavy luggage around London (check the cost first).

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Gatwick is London's second airport and has a mixture of long haul international scheduled flights and holiday charter flights. The original South terminal is directly connected to the rail station. The newer North terminal serves British Airways (BA) and other airlines and is connected by a monorail like transit system.

Located 25 miles south of London the airport and is connected by the M23 motorway and Gatwick Express and local train services to Victoria station (30 mins), south London, Kent and Sussex.

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Stansted is London's newest and fastest growing airport. Major carriers are the low cost airlines Ryanair and Easyjet flying within the EU. Stansted is also the preferred destination airport for many of Europe's other low cost airlines. The single large terminal building was designed by Norman Foster.

Located 30 miles north of London the airport and is connected by the M11 motorway and expensive train service to Liverpool Street station (40 mins) and by the cheaper but slower National Express airbus service to central & east London.

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Luton is London's fourth largest airport and the main base for the low cost airline Easyjet flying within the EU. Luton originated as a holiday charter airport but was rebranded as London Luton in 1990 as a large part of the business changed to scheduled and overseas visitors were unaware of its proximity to London. The single main terminal was extended in 2005.

Located 30 miles north west of London the airport and is connected by the M1 motorway and train service to King's Cross Thameslink station (35 mins) and by the cheaper but very convenient Easybus service to central London.

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City Airport is the only London airport actually *in* London. Built as a part of the London Dockland's regeneration into a major financial centre it has one short runway for smaller aircraft flying to nearby european destinations and is very much a business airport with a compact terminal.

Located in the heart of east London the airport is connected by the Docklands Light Railway with Canary Wharf, East London, the City and across the Thames to Greenwich & Lewisham with onward connections by rail, tube and bus.