London Luton Airport vs. London Stansted Airport

Attribute	London Luton Airport	London Stansted Airport
Location	Luton, Bedfordshire	Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
Distance from London	35 miles	42 miles
Number of passengers (2019)	18.1 million	28 million
Number of terminals	1	1
Busiest routes	Amsterdam, Budapest, Bucharest	Barcelona, Dublin, Malaga

Location

London Luton Airport is located in the town of Luton, about 35 miles north of Central London. It is easily accessible by road and rail, with direct train services from London St Pancras International taking around 30 minutes. On the other hand, London Stansted Airport is situated in Stansted Mountfitchet, about 42 miles northeast of Central London. It is also well-connected by road and rail, with a direct train service from London Liverpool Street taking approximately 45 minutes.

Size and Capacity

London Luton Airport is smaller in size compared to London Stansted Airport. It has one terminal building and handles around 16 million passengers annually. Despite its smaller size, the airport has undergone significant expansion in recent years to accommodate the growing number of passengers. On the other hand, London Stansted Airport is larger and has more terminal buildings. It is the fourth busiest airport in the UK, handling over 28 million passengers each year. The airport has also seen expansions to its facilities to cope with the increasing passenger numbers.

Flight Destinations

London Luton Airport serves a wide range of domestic and international destinations. It is a hub for low-cost airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair, offering flights to popular European cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Berlin. The airport also has connections to holiday destinations in the Mediterranean and beyond. On the other hand, London Stansted Airport is a major base for low-cost carrier Ryanair, offering flights to over 190 destinations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The airport also serves as a hub for other airlines like Jet2 and TUI Airways.

Facilities and Services

London Luton Airport has a range of facilities and services for passengers, including shops, restaurants, and lounges. The airport also offers free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, and car rental services. Additionally, there are hotels located near the airport for passengers who need to stay overnight. On the other hand, London Stansted Airport has a wide selection of shops, restaurants, and bars for passengers to enjoy. The airport also provides services such as currency exchange, car rental, and airport lounges. There are also hotels located on-site for passengers with early or late flights.

Transportation Options

London Luton Airport is well-connected to Central London and other parts of the UK by road and rail. The airport has a dedicated shuttle bus service that connects the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway station, where passengers can catch trains to London and other destinations. Additionally, there are taxi and car hire services available at the airport for passengers who prefer to travel by road. On the other hand, London Stansted Airport has a similar transportation setup, with a shuttle bus service connecting the terminal to Stansted Airport railway station. Passengers can take trains from the station to London and other cities. The airport also has taxi and car hire services for passengers' convenience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both London Luton Airport and London Stansted Airport have their own unique attributes and advantages. While London Luton Airport is smaller in size and serves a slightly smaller number of passengers, it offers convenient access to Central London and a variety of domestic and international destinations. On the other hand, London Stansted Airport is larger and busier, with a wider range of flight options and facilities for passengers. Ultimately, the choice between the two airports will depend on individual preferences and travel needs.