The short answer
To arrange helicopter charter London bound, we choose between the London Heliport at Battersea, the capital's airports and the airfields round the M25. Birmingham to London takes about 40 to 50 minutes by helicopter against 2 hours 27 minutes by road. Heathrow is very limited for private flying, so we often use Northolt, Farnborough or Biggin Hill instead.
Flying from London: choosing the right site? Tell us where and when; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Central London
- London Heliport at Battersea (EGLW), permitted hours 07:00 to 23:00; flights run by our partner site Battersea Helicopter
- Heathrow
- H24, but business aviation only with prior written permission and a slot for every movement; very limited
- Northolt
- Civil flights Monday to Friday 08:00 to 20:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 17:00; maximum 29 civilian passengers; military station
- London City
- Monday to Friday 04:45 to 22:00, Saturday to 13:00, Sunday 10:30 to 22:00; steep approach, restricted aircraft
- Luton and Stansted
- Both H24 with customs on site; slot-coordinated
- Isle of Dogs heliport
- Monday to Friday 08:00 to 19:00 with 4 hours' notice; weekends 09:00 to 17:30 with 24 hours' notice
- Hours checked
- Library, 29 September 2026
Where London: choosing the right site flights start and end
The map shows Heathrow Airport and the other sites that serve London: choosing the right site, with range rings and the nearest cities. Pins with a page of their own are links.
The map draws a satellite picture, so it needs JavaScript and an internet connection. Heathrow Airport is at Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex. Open it in Google Maps.
Heathrow Airport
Choose a place
Hover, or tap, a pin for the details
Sites that serve London: choosing the right site
Hours, permission and customs are the airport's or site's published information, checked 29 Sept 2026. We arrange permission and confirm times with your booking.
Heathrow Airport EGLL / LHR
- Address
- Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
- 24 hours (customs and immigration H24); night quota period 23:30–06:00
- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- Yes – on site
- Runway
- 09L/27R – 3,901 m × 50 m asphalt; 09R/27L – 3,658 m
RAF Northolt (London VIP Airport) EGWU / NHT
- Address
- RAF Northolt, West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
- Civil flights Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00 (local). Commercial Booking Cell Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00, weekends and public holidays 10:00–17:00
- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- By arrangement / prior notice
- Runway
- 07/25 – approx. 1,683 m (5,522 ft)
Helicopter charter NortholtOfficial websiteOpen in Google Maps
London City Airport EGLC / LCY
- Address
- London City Airport, Hartmann Road, London
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
Mon–Fri 04:45–22:00; Sat 04:45–13:00; Sun 10:30–22:00 (local). Aerodrome Mon–Fri 06:30–22:00, Sat 06:30–12:30, Sun…
Mon–Fri 04:45–22:00; Sat 04:45–13:00; Sun 10:30–22:00 (local). Aerodrome Mon–Fri 06:30–22:00, Sat 06:30–12:30, Sun 12:30–22:00; customs with prior notice by 14:00 the preceding day- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- Yes – on site
- Runway
- 09/27 – 1,508 m × 30 m asphalt (grooved) – 5.5° steep approach
Helicopter charter London CityOfficial websiteOpen in Google Maps
London Luton Airport EGGW / LTN
- Address
- London Luton Airport, Percival Way, Luton, Bedfordshire
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
- 24 hours (airport, customs and immigration H24)
- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- Yes – on site (H24)
- Runway
- 07/25 – 2,162 m × 45 m asphalt (grooved)
Helicopter charter London Luton AirportOfficial websiteOpen in Google Maps
London Stansted Airport EGSS / STN
- Address
- London Stansted Airport, Stansted, Essex
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
24 hours a day, 365 days a year; night restrictions 23:30–06:00 local. Customs and immigration H24 – prior notice by…
24 hours a day, 365 days a year; night restrictions 23:30–06:00 local. Customs and immigration H24 – prior notice by 21:00 local for movements 23:00–07:00- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- Yes – on site (H24; private arrivals from abroad clear customs in the Business Aviation Terminal)
- Runway
- 04/22 – 3,049 m × 46 m asphalt (grooved)
Helicopter charter London Stansted AirportOfficial websiteOpen in Google Maps
Which London site should I land at?
For helicopter charter London sites are chosen by where in London you need to be and when. For the City, Westminster or Mayfair, the London Heliport at Battersea is the only licensed central heliport. For Canary Wharf and the O2 there is a heliport on the Isle of Dogs. For Heathrow and the west, we usually use Northolt, Denham or Elstree. For the south and for jet connections, Biggin Hill, Farnborough and Redhill.
Charter-A Helicopter is the helicopter charter service of Charter-A Ltd, which has arranged private flights across the UK and Europe since 2011. We choose the London site for you from the list below.
Journey times from Heathrow Airport
The nearest places first, with the helicopter time against the car, taken from our route data.
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascot Racecourse | 8.8 nm (10 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 26 min (16 mi) | 13 min |
| London | 11 nm (12 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 34 min (16 mi) | 21 min |
| Epsom Downs | 12 nm (14 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 38 min (28 mi) | 25 min |
| London Gatwick | 22 nm (25 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 54 min (46 mi) | 36 min |
| Goodwood | 38 nm (44 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 19 min (60 mi) | 51 min |
| Oxford | 39 nm (45 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 05 min (51 mi) | 37 min |
| Silverstone | 42 nm (48 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 24 min (70 mi) | 56 min |
| Southampton | 46 nm (53 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 15 min (66 mi) | 47 min |
| Cambridge | 50 nm (58 mi) | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 32 min (72 mi) | 1 h 02 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 56 nm (65 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 35 min (81 mi) | 1 h 02 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 66 nm (75 mi) | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 50 min (86 mi) | 1 h 12 min |
| Birmingham | 76 nm (87 mi) | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 01 min (105 mi) | 1 h 18 min |
| Bristol | 85 nm (97 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 18 min (114 mi) | 1 h 33 min |
| Norwich | 97 nm (111 mi) | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 44 min (135 mi) | 1 h 54 min |
| Cardiff | 108 nm (124 mi) | 50 to 65 min | 2 h 56 min (152 mi) | 1 h 58 min |
| Manchester | 131 nm (151 mi) | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 45 min (186 mi) | 2 h 37 min |
| Liverpool | 142 nm (163 mi) | 65 to 80 min | 3 h 51 min (204 mi) | 2 h 38 min |
| Leeds | 150 nm (173 mi) | 65 to 85 min | 3 h 57 min (207 mi) | 2 h 42 min |
| York Racecourse | 151 nm (173 mi) | 65 to 85 min | 3 h 50 min (210 mi) | 2 h 35 min |
| Aintree Racecourse | 151 nm (174 mi) | 70 to 85 min | 3 h 53 min (212 mi) | 2 h 35 min |
| Newcastle | 219 nm (252 mi) | 1 h 35 min to 2 h | 5 h 39 min (294 mi) | 3 h 51 min |
Times from RAF Northolt
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | 5.2 nm (6 mi) | 10 to 10 min | 22 min (9 mi) | 12 min |
| London | 10 nm (12 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 40 min (14 mi) | 27 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 13 nm (15 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 38 min (21 mi) | 25 min |
| Epsom Downs | 16 nm (18 mi) | 15 to 15 min | 50 min (37 mi) | 35 min |
| London Gatwick | 26 nm (30 mi) | 20 to 20 min | 1 h 06 min (54 mi) | 46 min |
| Oxford | 38 nm (43 mi) | 20 to 30 min | 1 h 07 min (50 mi) | 42 min |
| Silverstone | 39 nm (44 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 25 min (68 mi) | 57 min |
| Goodwood | 44 nm (50 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 31 min (69 mi) | 1 h 03 min |
| Cambridge | 45 nm (52 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 34 min (70 mi) | 1 h 06 min |
| Southampton | 51 nm (58 mi) | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 27 min (74 mi) | 57 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 51 nm (59 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 37 min (80 mi) | 1 h 04 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 65 nm (75 mi) | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 51 min (84 mi) | 1 h 13 min |
| Birmingham | 73 nm (84 mi) | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 02 min (103 mi) | 1 h 22 min |
| Bristol | 87 nm (100 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 30 min (122 mi) | 1 h 45 min |
Times from London City Airport
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 9 nm (10 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 47 min (13 mi) | 34 min |
| Epsom Downs | 17 nm (19 mi) | 15 to 15 min | 1 h 07 min (26 mi) | 52 min |
| London Heathrow | 19 nm (22 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 10 min (38 mi) | 52 min |
| London Gatwick | 23 nm (27 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 10 min (48 mi) | 52 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 28 nm (32 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 27 min (50 mi) | 1 h 04 min |
| Cambridge | 42 nm (49 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 15 min (56 mi) | 47 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 46 nm (53 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 14 min (60 mi) | 46 min |
| Goodwood | 49 nm (57 mi) | 25 to 35 min | 2 h 02 min (90 mi) | 1 h 32 min |
| Silverstone | 53 nm (61 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 53 min (87 mi) | 1 h 20 min |
| Oxford | 55 nm (63 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 57 min (79 mi) | 1 h 24 min |
| Southampton | 63 nm (72 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 16 min (100 mi) | 1 h 41 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 83 nm (95 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 41 min (114 mi) | 1 h 56 min |
| Norwich | 84 nm (96 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 23 min (113 mi) | 1 h 38 min |
| Birmingham | 88 nm (101 mi) | 40 to 55 min | 2 h 34 min (129 mi) | 1 h 46 min |
Times from London Luton Airport
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | 25 nm (28 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 53 min (39 mi) | 35 min |
| London | 25 nm (29 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 12 min (40 mi) | 54 min |
| Silverstone | 27 nm (31 mi) | 20 to 20 min | 1 h 08 min (45 mi) | 48 min |
| Cambridge | 28 nm (32 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 02 min (38 mi) | 39 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 30 nm (35 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 06 min (47 mi) | 43 min |
| Epsom Downs | 34 nm (39 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 18 min (60 mi) | 55 min |
| Oxford | 35 nm (41 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 30 min (64 mi) | 1 h 07 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 36 nm (41 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 05 min (48 mi) | 42 min |
| London Gatwick | 44 nm (51 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 34 min (78 mi) | 1 h 06 min |
| Birmingham | 62 nm (71 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 49 min (87 mi) | 1 h 14 min |
| Goodwood | 63 nm (72 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 59 min (92 mi) | 1 h 24 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 63 nm (72 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 19 min (103 mi) | 1 h 44 min |
| Southampton | 67 nm (77 mi) | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 55 min (97 mi) | 1 h 17 min |
| Norwich | 77 nm (89 mi) | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 13 min (102 mi) | 1 h 30 min |
Times from London Stansted Airport
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 19 nm (22 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 57 min (33 mi) | 39 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 22 nm (26 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 56 min (36 mi) | 38 min |
| London | 29 nm (34 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 34 min (43 mi) | 1 h 11 min |
| London Heathrow | 36 nm (41 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 31 min (68 mi) | 1 h 08 min |
| Epsom Downs | 39 nm (45 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 42 min (74 mi) | 1 h 14 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 44 nm (51 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 44 min (76 mi) | 1 h 16 min |
| London Gatwick | 47 nm (54 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 41 min (77 mi) | 1 h 13 min |
| Silverstone | 48 nm (55 mi) | 25 to 35 min | 2 h 01 min (75 mi) | 1 h 31 min |
| Oxford | 58 nm (66 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 13 min (102 mi) | 1 h 38 min |
| Norwich | 61 nm (70 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 05 min (90 mi) | 1 h 30 min |
| Goodwood | 72 nm (83 mi) | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 34 min (119 mi) | 1 h 54 min |
| Birmingham | 81 nm (93 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 33 min (122 mi) | 1 h 48 min |
| Southampton | 82 nm (94 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 33 min (126 mi) | 1 h 48 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 85 nm (98 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 58 min (137 mi) | 2 h 13 min |
Helicopter figures are typical block times: distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range. Road figures are free-flowing road times, a floor that real journeys rarely beat. Distances are in a straight line. Figures from our UK route data, checked 29 Sep 2026.
Central London: where we hand over to Battersea Helicopter
This site covers helicopter charter from anywhere in the UK into London. Central London flights themselves, including Battersea transfers and Paris, are run by our partner site. Read the London Heliport guide or the Battersea Helicopter charter page for hours, access and booking. Our own page for the landing site is helicopter charter Battersea, and the wider picture of the capital's transfers is on London helicopter transfers.
The airports and airfields, one at a time
Heathrow runs 24 hours and has customs, but business aviation there needs prior written permission and an airport slot for every movement, and light aircraft are not permitted. See our Heathrow page. Northolt is an active RAF station: civil flights run Monday to Friday 08:00 to 20:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 17:00, with at most 29 civilian passengers per aircraft, bookings through a commercial booking cell and a permission number issued the day before.
London City has a steep approach and takes only approved aircraft; hours are shorter at weekends, and it is closed from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday 10:30. Luton and Stansted run 24 hours with customs, but every flight needs a slot. For the City end see London City.
London against the rest of the country
The helicopter is at its best on the cross-country leg. Birmingham to central London takes about 40 to 50 minutes by helicopter and 2 hours 27 minutes by road at best. Bristol takes about 45 to 55 minutes against 2 hours 43, Manchester about 60 to 75 against 4 hours 11, Liverpool about 65 to 85 against 4 hours 16, and Leeds about 70 to 85 against 4 hours 17.
We have a route page for each of these: London to Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Liverpool. The method for every figure is in helicopter versus car journey times. Road times are free-flowing minimums.
Booking a flight into London
Send us where you start, which part of London you need, the date, the passengers and their weights. We pick the site, request the slot and permission, and confirm the time. Be at the helicopter 10 minutes before departure with luggage in soft bags. Add a chauffeur car at the London end through our chauffeur partner. For cost guidance see Helicopter Hire Prices.
If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.
Nearby airfields and heliports
Other sites close to Heathrow Airport, with the distance in nautical miles. Chips with a link open that site's own page.
Frequently asked questions
Can a helicopter land in the centre of London?
Only at the licensed London Heliport at Battersea, by prior permission. It is run through our partner site, Battersea Helicopter, for central London flights.
Can I land a helicopter at Heathrow?
Only with prior written permission and a slot for every movement, so it is very limited. We normally suggest Northolt, Denham or Elstree and a car.
What are the Northolt civil flight hours?
Monday to Friday 08:00 to 20:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 17:00. It is an active RAF station with a maximum of 29 civilian passengers per aircraft.
How long is the flight from Manchester to London?
About 60 to 75 minutes by helicopter, against about 4 hours 11 minutes by road in free-flowing traffic.
Is there a heliport for Canary Wharf?
Yes, on the Isle of Dogs. Weekday landings need at least 4 hours' notice and weekend landings 24 hours'; we arrange the booking with your flight.
Do I need customs for a flight into London?
Battersea and the Isle of Dogs have no permanent Border Force presence, so arrivals from abroad need advance notice. Biggin Hill, Luton and Stansted have customs on site.
