Airports in United Kingdom

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom, and the fourth-busiest in the world, in terms of passenger traffic. However, Heathrow has the distinction of handling more international passengers than any other airport in the world – a testament to its importance as a transit-point for intercontinental travel.

Flights to Heathrow Airport are provided by an incredible 90 airlines, serving 180 destinations worldwide. Heathrow is home-base for British Airways, which operate direct and indirect flights to basically every major city you can think of, from Heathrow's beautiful, new Terminal 5 building.

London – a compelling, cosmopolitan city – certainly has an appropriate gateway in Heathrow Airport: a highly modern, convenient hub that is truly geared toward providing the best possible experience to travelers. Located 15 miles (24km) from central London, there are plenty of easy, hassle-free transport options available to travelers looking to get downtown. The flocks of tourists, who are no doubt going to descend on London for the 2012 Olympic Games, can look forward to a warm welcome and efficient service.

Inverness Airport (INV) is the perfect airport for passengers in search of the Loch Ness monster or just a quiet vacation away in the Scottish Highlands. The airport is situated just less than 10 miles (15km) east of Inverness City.

As the gateway to the Highlands, Inverness Airport has a lot to offer passengers in terms of accessibility and ease of travel. It’s small, simple to navigate, and is well connected to public transport in Inverness and the surrounding region.

There are a number of regular flights to Inverness Airport from across the UK and Europe. There are also a number of charter flights offered from Inverness Airport to destinations such as Italy, Sicily and Portugal – perfect for those wishing to get away for a vacation in the sun.

The Highlands offer a range of attractions from breathtaking wilderness areas to a wildlife park and even mountain-climbing and white-water rafting. Inverness City is central to all these activities, which makes Inverness Airport the perfect place to begin or end a vacation in the Scottish Highlands.

Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA) is situated 7 miles (11km) northwest of Leeds. It serves passengers within Yorkshire and surrounding areas, mostly to sunspot destinations in Europe, Greece and Spain. 

Leeds Bradford International has often been criticized by passengers as congested and chaotic. There are long-term plans to renovate the airport though. Future travelers can look forward to a major expansion of the landside face of the terminal, as well as the installation of new check-in and security screening facilities. Both promise to increase the terminal’s handling capacity and speed up passenger circulation.

Leeds Bradford’s elevated position makes it vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. If you have a bit of time between flights there is plenty to do such as shopping or enjoying a snack.

Formerly known as Ringway Airport, Manchester International Airport (MAN) is located around 9 miles (14km) outside of Manchester. The airport is the busiest in the UK outside of London, processing nearly 18 million passengers each year. The facilities are good, if a bit grubby, and the helpful staff members do their best to move the often overwhelming queues forward. Planned expansions will hopefully allay that congestion.

Flights to Manchester International Airport are available from a number of cities worldwide, including Paris, Dublin, Chicago, New York, Antwerp, Geneva, Frankfurt, Prague, Lisbon, Atlanta, Athens, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Milan, Islamabad, Doha, Toronto and Rome. There are also many options for local flights within the UK – to Belfast, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, London, Southampton and Glasgow.

Located only 5.8 miles (9.3km) from the city center, Newcastle International Airport (NCL) is easily accessible by train, bus or taxi. It's currently one of the 15 busiest airports in the UK, with several daily domestic flights to Newcastle Airport arriving from London, Belfast, Southampton and Bristol.

Newcastle itself is a compact, friendly city known its nightlife, music and sport. The city has seen greater domestic and international tourism over the past few years since it regenerated. It is now considered to be a trendy cultural destination, gateway to areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Pennines and the Northumberland coastline.

The airport has several shops, restaurants and kids’ play areas, and is well equipped.

Norwich International Airport (NWI):www.norwichairport.co.uk is 4.5 miles north of Norwich.

To/from the airport:First UK Bus (tel: (01603) 760 076) operate a service between Norwich city center and the airport terminal. The X5 bus runs hourly.

Facilities: Bureau de change facilities and ATMs are available. There are two bars, a restaurant and a café in the main concourse and the departure lounge of the airport.

Home to the first test flight of the Spitfire, Southampton International Airport (SOU) is located 4 miles (6.5 km) north-east of Southampton in the Borough of Eastleigh, England. In 2008 the airport won the Airports Council International Airport People Award for its dedication to customer service and satisfaction, and in 2010, it served just over 1.7 million passengers.

Comprising one terminal building for both international and domestic flights, with adjacent short- and long-term parking lots, the airport’s runway is said to be built over the remains of a Roman villa.

Although small and lacking in shops and restaurants, Southampton International is generally efficient in terms of checking in, security and boarding. Moreover, its close proximity to a number of transport options makes it a breeze getting in and around the city of Southampton.

In general, Southampton International is a quick in-and-out airport. Its small size makes it easy to navigate and its warm and friendly staff make it a pleasure to visit.     

Located about 35 miles (55km) from central London, London Stansted Airport (STN) is a popular choice for travelers looking to find cheap flights to England's capital city. Stansted Airport is home-base for low-cost carrier Ryanair, which serves more than 100 international destinations from the airport.

The most popular flights out of Stansted Airport are to European vacation destinations such as Dublin, Alicante, Malaga, Rome, Faro and Palma de Mallorca. However, you can also access some interesting, more out-of-the-way places from Stansted – so get creative next time you're planning a break.

A highly functional, efficient airport – enjoyed as much by business passengers as those traveling with families in tow – Stansted Airport is a lovely gateway to the United Kingdom's most important city. Last year, the airport handled nearly 19 million passengers. Expect that figure to rise, as hordes of tourists descend on London for the 2012 Olympic Games.