Helicopter airport transfers in the UK: the ground side explained

Key points

• Airport procedures vary. We give you specific instructions for your airport and flight rather than a general rule.
• Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and other airports each have their own arrangements for helicopters, and some use a nearby airfield instead of the airport itself.
• International passengers still follow normal passport and customs rules, and we tell you which apply.
• Allow for the connection, not just the flight: from the aircraft to security, check-in or baggage, where relevant.
• We plan a chauffeur car as a back-up for every airport transfer where timing is tight.

What is a helicopter airport transfer?

A helicopter airport transfer is a charter flight between an airport and somewhere else, for example from Heathrow to a country house, from Birmingham to Gatwick, or from a regional airfield to an airport for an onward flight. It replaces a long car journey with a short flight and moves the awkward part to the ends.

Our route data shows why it works. Birmingham to Heathrow is about 40 to 45 minutes by helicopter, against around 2 hours 2 minutes by road in free-flowing traffic. Bristol to Heathrow takes about 40 to 50 minutes against 2 hours 18 minutes. Cardiff to Heathrow takes about 50 to 65 minutes against 2 hours 57 minutes, and Cambridge to Heathrow about 25 to 35 minutes against 1 hour 33 minutes. Road times are free-flowing figures, so real journeys around the M25 are often longer. Our page on airport transfers by helicopter sets out the service, and the article on helicopter transfers between UK airports gives times for more pairs.

Where does the helicopter actually land?

It depends on the airport, the time and the permissions. At some airports the helicopter lands within the airport boundary and passengers are taken to the terminal or the aircraft side. At others, the practical choice is a nearby airfield with a short car transfer. Heathrow and Gatwick each operate their own procedures for arriving and departing aircraft, and helicopter movements there are tightly coordinated.

That is why we do not offer a one-size answer. We ask which airport, which terminal and which flight, then confirm the landing point and the meeting arrangements. Our city and airport pages, such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, give the verified details we hold for each.

Our guide to UK heliports and airfields where charter helicopters land lists the main sites region by region.

What about security, passports and customs?

The formalities follow the flight you are catching or arriving on. If you are connecting to an airline flight, you will normally go through the airport's usual security and passport control unless the airport tells us otherwise. If you are arriving from abroad, you follow border formalities at your point of entry. A private flight into the UK may need specific customs arrangements, and we confirm them in advance.

We do not make promises about avoiding terminals or queues, because the airport decides what applies on the day. What we do is plan the steps so that there are no surprises. Carry photo ID and passports, and give us names in advance, as airports process groups more smoothly with a manifest.

How does luggage work?

Luggage is loaded by the crew into the helicopter's hold, so soft bags work best. If you are connecting to an airline, you need to know where bags go: some airports allow bags to be checked through, others do not. We find out and tell you. Heavy and awkward items, such as golf bags and hard cases, should be agreed beforehand, as our guide to passenger weight and luggage explains.

How much time should I allow?

Allow generous time when you are catching a flight. The helicopter's 10-minute arrival is the start of a chain, not the end of one: you then need time at the destination airport for security, check-in or baggage if relevant. We work backwards from the flight you must catch and add margin, particularly in winter. For tight connections we recommend an earlier departure, and our weather guide explains why.

What happens if the helicopter cannot fly?

If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing, and we agree a fallback before the day. For an airport transfer, the fallback is a chauffeur car. Our sister service Executive Global Travel provides airport and long-distance cars, and we coordinate the decision time so that the car leaves early enough to make your flight. For a journey from central London, see Battersea Helicopter's airport transfers.

Who meets me at the other end?

We arrange who meets you and where. At an airport, that may be a representative or a driver at an agreed point. At a private site, it is the host or a car. Tell us who you expect and how many cars you need, and give us a mobile number for the lead passenger. If a car is needed from the landing area to your final destination, we coordinate with the chauffeur so the timings match.

Keep a copy of the meeting arrangements on your phone, and do not rely on being recognised: carry the name of the person you are meeting and the registration of nothing, simply the plan we send. If a connection is tight, call us as soon as there is a delay.

How do I arrange it?

Tell us the airport, the flight number and time, the number of passengers and the other end of the journey. We reply with the plan and a fully inclusive quote. Request a quote or call the line that is open 24 hours. For a longer comparison with other ways to travel, see helicopter vs private jet vs scheduled flight.