List of 15 International Airports in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is an island nation of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in north-western Europe. Being an influential centre of culture and finance, people come here from different parts of the world.

They explore great views, urban adventures, multi-layered British history and much more in their vacation or business trips. To serve them, it has become a home to several of Europe's busiest and largest airports.

So, if you are looking to travel here, read this guide on all the major airports in the United Kingdom along with their terminals, services and other details.

Here is a list of the largest and busiest airports situated in the United Kingdom.

Note: The services and other special features of the following airports are subject to change. Therefore, verify all the related information before planning a trip.

1. London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Borough of Hillingdon

Heathrow or London Heathrow Airport, inaugurated in 1929, was previously called London Airport until 1966. It is the primary and largest airport in London and is situated 23 Km west of Central London. It serves Greater London, Berkshire, southern Buckinghamshire, northwest Surrey and western Hertfordshire.

• Address: Longford TW6, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGLL
• IATA Code: LHR
• Category: International
• Terminals: This airport has 4 functional passenger terminals and 1 cargo terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Currency exchange
  • Postal and porter services
  • Helping hand for passengers with reduced mobility
  • Meeting rooms
  • Multi-faith prayer rooms
  • Charging points
  • Baby care facilities

2. London Gatwick Airport (LGW), Crawley, West Sussex

London Gatwick Airport is the 2nd busiest airport in the UK and the 8th busiest in Europe in terms of the total number of passengers in 2022. Situated 47.5 km south of Central London, this airport serves Greater London, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex. Moreover, it served a total number of 32835381 passengers in 2022 covering a total area of 1670 acres.

• Address: Horley, Gatwick, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGKK
• IATA Code: LGW
• Category: International
• Terminals: This airport contains 2 terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal along with 65 gates.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Drop-off and pick-up services
  • Currency exchange
  • ATMs
  • Elite class services
  • Shopping Directory
  • Charging points
  • Lost property found services

3. Manchester Airport (MAN), Ringway, Manchester

Manchester Airport or Ringway Airport (locally used) is one of the international airports in the United Kingdom, situated in Ringway, 13.9 km southwest of Manchester city centre. It is the 3rd busiest airport in the UK, commercially opened on 25 June 1938. Covering an area of 1400 acres, it operates flights to 199 destinations which places it at 13th position in the list of highest global serving airports.

• Address: Manchester M90 1QX, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGCC
• IATA Code: MAN
• Category: International
• Terminals: There are 3 passenger terminals and 1 cargo terminal in this airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • ATMs
  • Currency exchange
  • Prayer rooms
  • Smoking areas
  • Runway visitor park
  • Private terminal
  • Conference centre
  • Lost property found area

4. London Stansted Airport (STN), Essex, England

Serving more than 160 destinations across Europe, Africa and Asia, London Stansted Airport is the tertiary international airport in London. Opened on 7 August 1943, it is now the 4th busiest airport in the United Kingdom, handling 23290097 passengers as of 2022. It is located 68 Km northeast of Central London near Stansted Mountfitchet.

• Address: Bassingbourn Rd, Stansted CM24 1QW, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGSS
• IATA Code: STN
• Category: International
• Terminals: This airport has 1 main passenger terminal building.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Pick-up and drop-off services
  • ATMs
  • Currency exchange
  • Lost & found centre
  • Conference rooms
  • Prayer rooms
  • Smoking areas

5. London Luton Airport (LTN), Luton, Bedfordshire

London Luton Airport (opened on 16 July 1938) is the 5th busiest airport in the United Kingdom that handled approximately 13324491 passengers as of 2022. Moreover, it is the 4th largest airport in London among the 6 international airports in London and Southend. The airport is located 2.4 km east of the town centre and 45 km north of Central London.

• Address:  Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGGW
• IATA Code: LTN
• Category: International
• Terminals: This airport contains a single, two-storey passenger terminal building, expanded and rearranged several times.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Drop off and pick up facilities
  • Currency exchange
  • Special assistance for blue badge holders
  • Electric car charging points
  • Duty-free shopping
  • Ukrainian refugee hub
  • COVID-19 tests pre-booking centres
  • Lost property found section
  • Project Servator
  • Chaplaincy team and multi-faith prayer room

6. Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Ingliston, Edinburgh

Situated in the Ingliston area of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Airport was inaugurated on 19 May 1947 for commercial traffic. It is the busiest airport in Scotland as of 2019 and the 2nd busiest airport outside London, after Manchester. This airport is situated in the Ingliston area of Edinburgh, Scotland, 9.3 Km west of the city centre. Moreover, it handled 11250211 passengers in 2022.

• Address: Edinburgh EH12 9DN, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGPH
• IATA Code: EDI
• Category: International
• Terminals: There is only 1 passenger terminal in the airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Currency exchange
  • Reserve & Collect
  • FastTrack security and  passport control
  • Complementary food and drinks zone by British Airways
  • Prayer room
  • Flying with family facilities
  • World duty-free shopping
  • Assistance to passengers with movement difficulties

7. Birmingham Airport (BHX), Bickenhill, England

Situated 13 Km east-south-east of Birmingham city centre, Birmingham Airport is the 7th busiest airport in the United Kingdom. Officially opened on 8 July 1939 as Elmdon Airport, it handled 9597485 passengers in 2022. Apart from this, it has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P451).

• Address: Bickenhill, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, Birmingham B26 3QJ, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGBB
• IATA Code: BHX
• Category: International
• Terminals: Currently, this airport has a terminal complex which has combined 2 old terminals into 1 large terminal.
  • Terminal 2: It consists of gate numbers 1 to 20.
  • Terminal 1: It has all the other gates.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Currency exchange
  • Private jet charter
  • Pick up and drop off facilities
  • Airport shopping and lounges
  • Interactive play zone for kids
  • Special travel assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility

8. Glasgow Airport (GLA), Paisley, Renfrewshire

Glasgow Airport, previously known as Abbotsinch Airport, opened in 1966. It is now the 9th busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the 2nd busiest in Scotland. Situated 15.9 Km west of Glasgow city centre, it operates as the base for Jet2.com, and TUI Airways and its largest tenants are easyJet and Loganair.

• Address: Glasgow, Paisley PA3 2ST, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGPF
• IATA Code: GLA
• Category: International
• Terminals: There is only 1 passenger terminal in this airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • PRM consultation and events
  • Reserve and collect zone
  • Lost and Found Centre
  • Autism awareness centres
  • Medicines, mobility and medical equipment
  • Photo booth
  • Payphones
  • Baby changing areas
  • Meeting rooms

9. Belfast International Airport (BFS), Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast International Airport is the 10th busiest airport in the UK and the busiest in Northern Ireland in terms of passenger traffic. Its civil traffic started in 1922 and in 2022 it handled a total of 4818214 passengers. Situated 21.3 Km northwest of Belfast, it holds a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence for public transportation and flying instruction.

• Address: Airport Rd, Belfast, Crumlin BT29 4AB, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGAA
• IATA Code: BFS
• Category: International
• Number of Terminals: This airport has only 1 passenger terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Currency exchange
  • Airport lounges and hotels
  • Duty-free stores
  • Smoking area
  • Quiet room
  • Lost and found desk

10. Newcastle International Airport (NCL), Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle International Airport opened on 26 July 1935 as Woolsington Aerodrome. It is the 2nd busiest in Northern England. Located 12.4 Km from Newcastle City Centre, this airport is a hub for Loganair and the focus city for Jet2.com, Ryanair, and TUI Airways.

• Address: Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8BZ, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGNT
• IATA Code: NCL
• Category: International
• Terminals: There is only 1 passenger terminal in the airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Special assistance for passengers
  • Shopping stores
  • Airport lounges
  • Changing places
  • Prayer room
  • Smoking areas

11. Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL), Speke, Liverpool

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the 12th busiest airport in the United Kingdom. Officially opened on 1 July 1933, it is situated on the estuary of the River Mersey, 12 Km southeast of Liverpool city centre.

• Address:  Speke Hall Ave, Speke, Liverpool L24 1YD, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGGP
• IATA Code: LPL
• Category: International
• Terminals: There is only 1 passenger terminal in the airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Private jet
  • VIP concierge service
  • Shops and duty-free stores
  • Assisted travel facilities
  • Lost and Found Centre
  • Travelling with family facilities

12. Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), Yeadon, West Yorkshire

Leeds Bradford Airport, also known as Leeds and Bradford Municipal Aerodrome or Yeadon Aerodrome was opened on 17 October 1931. It is situated in West Yorkshire, 11 Km northwest of Leeds city centre. This airport is the largest airport in Yorkshire and the 13th busiest international airport in the UK handling 3288635 passengers in 2022.

• Address: Whitehouse Ln, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7TU, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGNM
• IATA Code: LBA
• Category: International
• Terminals: There is only 1 passenger terminal in the airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Automated vending stations
  • Pick up and drop off facilities
  • Destination guides
  • Medical and first aid assistance support
  • Designated smoking area
  • Special assistance for passengers with moving difficulties
  • Registration and assistance for pets
  • Autism Awareness centres

13. East Midlands Airport (EMA), Castle Donington, Leicestershire

East Midlands Airport is the 14th busiest international airport in the United Kingdom which handled 3186367 passengers in 2022. It was built as a Royal Air Force station in 1943 and redeveloped as a civilian airport in 1965. This airport serves flights to domestic, European and intercontinental destinations.

• Address:  Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2SA, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGNX
• IATA Code: EMA
• Category: International
• Number of Terminals: This airport comprises a single-passenger terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Pick up and drop off facilities
  • Passport control FastTrack
  • Assisted travel facilities
  • Quiet place for prayers
  • Aviation museum
  • Smoking areas

14. Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ), Aberdeen, Scotland

Aberdeen International Airport opened on 28 July 1934 and is the 16th busiest international airport in the UK. It is situated in the Dyce suburb of Aberdeen in Scotland, 9.3 Km northwest of Aberdeen city centre. This airport handled 1960307 passengers in the year 2022.

• Address: Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 7DU, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGPD
• IATA Code: ABZ
• Category: International
• Terminals: There is only 1 passenger terminal in this airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Travel Insurance
  • Special assistance to needed individuals
  • Lost and found areas
  • Medical help centre
  • Meeting rooms and conference centres
  • Payphones
  • Dedicated smoking areas
  • Baby care zone and playing areas
  • Eateries and pubs

15. George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), County Down, Northern Ireland

George Best Belfast City Airport is the 17th busiest airport in the UK, adjacent to the Port of Belfast (4.8 Km from Belfast City Centre). Opened on 16 March 1983, this airport was named after George Best, the professional footballer of Belfast, in 2006.

• Address: County Down, Belfast Rd, Belfast BT3 9JH, United Kingdom
• ICAO Code: EGAC
• IATA Code: BHD
• Category: International
• Terminals: This airport comprises 1 old terminal and a new functional passenger terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Ground transportation services
  • Food and drinks store
  • Shopping and retail centre
  • Special travel assistance support for passengers with reduced mobility