London Luton Airport (LTN/EGGW): The Premier Hub for Low-Cost UK and European Travel
London Luton Airport (LLA) is a pivotal international gateway for London, renowned for its focus on budget-friendly air travel, serving millions of leisure and business passengers annually. As one of London’s six major airports, LLA is committed to continuous investment and strategically positioned to provide swift and efficient transit to the heart of the capital and beyond.
General Airport Information
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Luton, Bedfordshire, located approximately 49 km (30 miles) north of Central London. |
| IATA/ICAO Codes | LTN / EGGW |
| Passenger Traffic (2024) | 16.7 Million passengers, reaffirming its position as London’s fifth-largest airport and demonstrating a strong recovery toward pre-pandemic levels. |
| Ownership & Operation | LLA is operated by London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL), a consortium majority-owned by AENA (the world’s largest airport operator) and InfraBridge. |
| Future Expansion | The UK Government approved a major expansion in April 2025, allowing the airport to increase its annual passenger capacity from 18 million to a potential 32 million passengers per year. |
Terminals and State-of-the-Art Facilities
LLA operates efficiently through a single, continuously modernised terminal designed for rapid passenger processing.
- Security Innovation: LLA is a leader in passenger experience, having completed the roll-out of 100% next-generation CT scanner technology at security checkpoints. This enhancement allows passengers to leave liquids and electronic devices inside their bags, significantly simplifying and speeding up the security process.
- Retail & Dining: The terminal hosts a diverse range of duty-free shops, travel essentials stores, and popular dining options, including chains like Pret A Manger and various local establishments. The UK’s largest American-style airport restaurant, Sanfords, opened in early 2025, offering an enhanced pre-flight experience.
- Premium Services: The airport offers executive lounges for passengers seeking a quieter environment, high-speed free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, and comprehensive accessibility services, which received the highest possible rating of ‘Very Good’ in the 2025 Airport Accessibility report by the CAA.
- Onsite Accommodation: Conveniently located hotels for an early start or late arrival include the Holiday Inn Express Luton Airport and the Ibis London Luton Airport.
Efficient Ground Transportation Options
LLA is best known for its seamless and high-speed connections to London, making it highly competitive for short-haul travel.
- Direct Air-Rail Transit (Luton DART): The Luton DART, which officially opened in March 2023, provides a fully automated, high-speed rail link connecting the airport terminal directly to the Luton Airport Parkway main line station.
- DART Journey Time: The journey takes a rapid 4 minutes and operates 24/7.
- Total Journey to London: Combining the DART and main rail services (Thameslink or East Midlands Railway), the total travel time to Central London stations (e.g., St Pancras International) is approximately 30 minutes, one of the fastest airport-to-city centre transfers.
- Bus and Coach Services: Frequent coach services are available from EasyBus, National Express, and other operators, providing connections to various London locations and other major UK cities. Journey time to Central London is typically around 60 minutes.
- Taxi Services: Taxi ranks are readily available, with a journey to Central London taking approximately 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Parking & Car Rental: The airport provides short and long-term parking options. The recently upgraded and expanded Terminal Car Park 2 (TCP2), which re-opened in 2025, offers 1,900 spaces and an improved Express Drop-Off zone. Major international car rental agencies operate facilities on-site.
Airlines and Extensive Route Network
London Luton Airport serves as a significant base for several of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, connecting passengers to a vast network of over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
- Major Carriers: The primary operators include Wizz Air (currently the largest carrier by capacity), easyJet, and Ryanair.
- New Routes and Growth: LLA celebrated the arrival of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays in April 2025, significantly expanding the holiday route offerings to popular destinations in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Spain, Turkey, and Greece. Other key airlines include TUI, Sun Express, and El Al.
Latest News and Industry Recognition
The airport has recently achieved several major milestones, highlighting its growth trajectory and commitment to passenger service.
- Major Expansion Approved: The Government approval in April 2025 for growth to 32 million annual passengers marks a transformative commitment. The expansion is projected to generate up to 11,000 new jobs and contribute an estimated £1.5 billion annually to the UK economy.
- European Airport of the Year: In 2024, LLA was named the European Airport of the Year (in the 10-25 million passenger category) by ACI EUROPE, recognising its excellence in operational performance and customer service.
- Infrastructure Investment: Essential works, including an overnight runway resurfacing project, commenced in late 2025 to ensure the long-term safety and efficiency of airport operations, demonstrating ongoing investment in critical infrastructure.
Contact Information
| Details | Information |
| Address | Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9LY, UNITED KINGDOM |
| Telephone | +44 1582 405100 |
| Official Website | www.london-luton.co.uk |