The short answer
London helicopter transfers fly you between London and other UK cities or airports. Birmingham to London typically takes about 40 to 50 minutes against around 2 hours 25 by road; Manchester about 60 to 75 minutes against around 4 hours 10. Central London flights land at the London Heliport in Battersea, which Battersea Helicopter runs, and we arrange the flight in from your city.
Want a price for this? Tell us where and when; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Birmingham to London
- About 40 to 50 minutes by helicopter, around 2 hours 25 by road
- Manchester to London
- About 60 to 75 minutes, around 4 hours 10 by road
- Leeds to London
- About 70 to 85 minutes, around 4 hours 15 by road
- Bristol to London
- About 45 to 55 minutes, around 2 hours 45 by road
- Central London heliport
- London Heliport, Battersea, run by Battersea Helicopter
- Arrive
- 10 minutes before departure
What are London helicopter transfers?
They are helicopter flights that start or end in London. This page is the UK-to-London page: it covers coming into London from another city or airport, or leaving London to go there. Flights that begin and end at the London Heliport in Battersea, including London to Paris, are run by our sister service Battersea Helicopter, and their site explains the London Heliport in detail.
Flying into London from other cities
These are typical block times to the London Heliport from our route data, set against free-flowing road times, which are a minimum.
- Birmingham: about 40 to 50 minutes, around 2 hours 25 by road.
- Manchester: about 60 to 75 minutes, around 4 hours 10 by road.
- Leeds: about 70 to 85 minutes, around 4 hours 15 by road.
- Liverpool: about 65 to 85 minutes, around 4 hours 15 by road.
- Bristol: about 45 to 55 minutes, around 2 hours 45 by road.
- Newcastle: about 95 to 120 minutes, around 6 hours by road.
- Cardiff: about 55 to 70 minutes, around 3 hours 20 by road.
- Norwich: about 45 to 55 minutes, around 2 hours 55 by road.
- Southampton: about 30 to 35 minutes, around 1 hour 40 by road.
Where in London can a helicopter land?
London has one licensed central heliport, at Battersea, plus a ring of airfields and airports that take helicopters, each with different hours, permissions and customs arrangements. Which one is right depends on where your meeting is and where you are coming from.
- London Heliport, Battersea: the central option. Permitted hours are 07:00 to 23:00 daily, with core hours of 07:30 to 19:30 on weekdays and 08:00 to 18:00 at weekends; extended hours by arrangement. See helicopter charter Battersea.
- Biggin Hill: south-east, about 10 to 15 minutes to central London. See Biggin Hill.
- Elstree and Denham: north and west, each typically 10 to 15 minutes. Prior permission is required. See Elstree and Denham.
- Northolt: a busy military airfield with civil flights on limited hours; see Northolt.
- Farnborough and Luton: business-aviation airports, about 15 to 20 minutes to central London. See Farnborough and Luton.
Hours are those published by each site and we check them for your date. Browse the London and Home Counties region page for the full picture.
Airport arrivals and departures
Many London helicopter transfers connect to an airport: Heathrow to the London Heliport is typically 10 to 15 minutes, Gatwick 15 to 20, Luton 15 to 20. But Heathrow and Gatwick are slot controlled and accept business aviation only with permission, so the helicopter often lands at a nearby field and a car completes the transfer. Read the full picture in airport transfers by helicopter.
Booking a flight into London
Tell us your start point, your time in London, the number of passengers, weights, and your luggage. We choose the aircraft and landing site, check the hours of the site you will use, and confirm the time before you book. The AW139 and H145 D3 carry up to 8 passengers, the Agusta 109 Grand up to 6 and the AS355 Twin Squirrel up to 5. Every aircraft we arrange is twin-engine. Arrive 10 minutes before departure with photo ID. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. For the car at the London end, see chauffeurs in London.
Compare before you go
For wider comparisons read helicopter versus car journey times and the UK routes list. For price guidance see the helicopter hire price guides, and for a quote use the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs flights from the London Heliport?
Battersea Helicopter, our sister service, at batterseahelicopter.com. We arrange flights into London from other UK cities.
How long does Birmingham to London take by helicopter?
Typically about 40 to 50 minutes, against around 2 hours 25 by road in free-flowing traffic.
Can a helicopter land anywhere in London?
No. Central London has one licensed heliport at Battersea, plus airfields and airports around the edge, each with its own permissions and hours.
What are the London Heliport hours?
Permitted hours are 07:00 to 23:00 daily, with core hours 07:30 to 19:30 on weekdays and 08:00 to 18:00 at weekends. Extended hours are by arrangement. We check them for your date.
Do I need a twin-engine helicopter for London?
For central London, yes, normally. We choose the aircraft for the route and site.
Can I fly from Heathrow or Gatwick?
Only with permission and a slot. We often use a nearby field with a short car transfer; see airport transfers by helicopter.
