From Luton to the World

Exploring the World from the hub of Luton Airport

One of London’s six international airports is Luton, located less than two miles from the M1 motorway, to the north of the capital. Most of the flights from Luton Airport travel to Europe, with a handful of special charter flights to Asia and North Africa.

Around nine million passengers travel from Luton to UK and world destinations every year, making it the UK’s fifth-busiest airport. Low-cost carriers such as EasyJet and Ryanair use Luton as a base for their regular services around the UK and Europe. In total, nine carriers offer flights from Luton Airport, with EasyJet handling the majority of the flights.

Amsterdam is just over an hour from Luton

Passengers using Luton Airport can reach dozens of obscure, small destinations around Europe in addition to popular travel destinations like Barcelona, Amsterdam and Milan. EasyJet runs more than two dozen regular flights each week to interesting places like Bordeaux, Minorca and Paphos.

EasyJet also offers seasonal flights that coincide with peak travel seasons such as summer and the Christmas period. Travellers can enjoy quick, direct access to European places like Pisa, Salzburg, Heraklion and Corfu. The regional carriers that operate out of Luton Airport are known for their cheap airfares, making this airport ideal for quick weekend getaways.

Wizz Air is the other big player at Luton Airport, operating around 20 regularly scheduled flights, mainly to Eastern Europe. Travellers can reach destinations including Vilnius, Skopje, Riga and Katowice with Wizz Air in addition to popular travel cities in Poland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, such as Prague, Budapest and Warsaw.

The Canaries are just a 4 hour flight from Luton

Warm weather getaways to the Mediterranean region seem to be the priority of Thompson Airways. Their regular flights out of Luton Airport go to Gran Canaria, Madeira, Lanzarote and Paphos. These popular island destinations make a great choice for winter escapes or beach holidays on a budget.

Thompson’s seasonal schedule is even more extensive, adding nearly two dozen hot tourist spots to their roster. Again, the Mediterranean is the focus for this regional airline, with some interesting flights to exotic places like Rhodes, Corfu, Malta and Kefalonia. Travellers can be lounging on the beach just a couple of hours after departing from London with one of these seasonal flights.

Big hitter Ryanair is an important part of the flight options from Luton to the world. It uses this airport for flights to unusual cities such as Marrakech, Tallinn, Bratislava and Reus. Ryanair also offers several quick flights to small airports around Ireland, including Kerry, Knock and Dublin.

Another great carrier for a warm weather escape is Monarch Airlines. Its six regularly scheduled flights are complemented by a handful of seasonal additions, mostly to Mediterranean destinations like Malaga, Tenerife and Gibraltar. In 2012, Monarch will open up a new route from London Luton to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. Travellers flying out of Luton Airport can also get to Tel Aviv conveniently on El Al, while Flybe covers Jersey and the Isle of Man.

It’s easy to reach Luton Airport from the Greater London area by rail, bus or car. The Luton Airport Parkway train goes straight to London St Pancras Station every hour on the Midland Main Line, passing through the population centres of Kettering, Leicester, Beeston and Nottingham. A shuttle bus provides frequent transportation between the airport and the train station.

Luton Airport is also easy to reach via the M1 motorway, which runs just a couple of miles away and connects with Leeds and London. Short- and long-term parking are available right at the terminal as well as at satellite lots a few minutes away.