The short answer
The Amex Stadium has no helicopter landing site, so for Brighton home games we fly you to Brighton City Airport at Shoreham, the oldest licensed aerodrome in the UK, and a car covers the road to Falmer. London to Shoreham takes about 25 to 30 minutes by helicopter, against around 1 hour 23 minutes by road.
Quote this event Tell us the date and the number of guests; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Venue
- Amex Stadium, Village Way, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9BL; about 32,000 seats
- Landing at the ground
- No helicopter landing site at the stadium
- Main site
- Brighton City Airport (Shoreham), prior permission required
- Airport hours
- As published: Monday to Friday 08:00 to 20:00, Saturday 09:00 to 20:00, Sunday 09:00 to 19:00; closes at 18:00 in winter if no movements planned
- London to Shoreham
- About 25 to 30 minutes by helicopter, around 1 hour 23 minutes by road
- Gatwick and Goodwood
- Each about 15 to 20 minutes by helicopter from Shoreham
- Southampton to Shoreham
- About 25 to 30 minutes by helicopter, around 1 hour 10 minutes by road
- Good for
- Client hospitality, directors' days, staff incentive days
How do you reach the Amex Stadium by helicopter?
You land at Brighton City Airport in Shoreham-by-Sea and drive. The Amex is at Falmer, on the edge of the South Downs east of the city, and there is no helicopter landing site at the ground that we can offer. Shoreham is a prior-permission aerodrome with a 1,031 metre runway, and it is well placed for helicopter and air-taxi work to Brighton, Goodwood and the Sussex coast. Our Brighton page has the site facts.
Charter-A Helicopter is the helicopter charter service of Charter-A Ltd, which has arranged private flights across the UK and Europe since 2011. For helicopter charter Brighton clients we arrange the aircraft, the airport permission and a chauffeur car so that the journey from landing to turnstile is one plan. The route runs along the coast road and the A27, and match-day traffic is the variable we leave margin for.
What do the Shoreham opening hours mean for kick-off?
As published, Brighton City Airport is open 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 20:00 on Saturday and 09:00 to 19:00 on Sunday, local time. From 1 November to 28 February it closes at 18:00 if no movements are planned, and extensions need 24 hours' notice. That suits Saturday afternoon games and Sunday lunchtime kick-offs. An evening game in winter is trickier, so for those we agree an extension early or use Gatwick, which is 19.3 nautical miles away; see Gatwick.
Fixture dates and kick-off times are set by the league and broadcasters, so check the club for dates. We hold a provisional booking and confirm hours once the date is fixed.
Which routes and times work for Brighton?
London to Shoreham takes about 25 to 30 minutes by helicopter and around 1 hour 23 minutes by road. Southampton to Shoreham is about 25 to 30 minutes against around 1 hour 10 minutes by road; see Southampton. Goodwood is 17.6 nautical miles away, about 15 to 20 minutes by helicopter; see Goodwood. From Oxford it is about 35 to 45 minutes against around 2 hours 13 minutes by road.
Because the road from London is shorter than for most grounds, the gain is smaller than at Anfield or Villa Park. The helicopter earns its place when a party is coming from further away, wants a fixed timetable or wants to avoid the Brighton road on a busy weekend. Arrive 10 minutes before take-off, give us a weight for each passenger and use soft bags. See London departure sites.
What about racecourses and country houses nearby?
The previous version of this page listed Brighton Racecourse, about 2.6 miles from the ground, Plumpton Racecourse, Glyndebourne and Newick Park Country Estate, between about 4 and 8 miles away. All are private sites. Landing at any of them is subject to landing permission and site suitability, and the owner decides. We can enquire, but do not promise a result.
For the car, we use Executive Global Travel. Related pages: football by helicopter, AFC Bournemouth, south east England and corporate days out. For price guidance see the price guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can a helicopter land at the Amex Stadium?
No landing site at the stadium is available to us. We land at Brighton City Airport in Shoreham and arrange a car to Falmer.
What are Brighton City Airport's hours?
As published, 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 20:00 Saturday and 09:00 to 19:00 Sunday, closing at 18:00 in winter if no movements are planned.
Is the helicopter worth it from London?
It saves time but less than for northern grounds: about 25 to 30 minutes against around 1 hour 23 minutes by road. It suits fixed timetables and larger parties.
Can we leave after an evening game?
Sometimes. We agree an extension with the airport at least 24 hours ahead or use another site such as Gatwick.
What if the weather stops the flight?
If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.
