# London Airports ## Overview London is served by six commercial airports: [Heathrow](page:532) **LHR**, [Gatwick](page:533) **LGW**, [Stansted](page:534) **STN**, [Luton](page:535) **LTN**, [London City](page:536) **LCY**, and [Southend](page:537) **SEN**. They serve different parts of the market rather than functioning as one integrated hub. ## Airports Use [Heathrow](page:532) for the broadest global network, [Gatwick](page:533) for a strong mix of leisure and long-haul, [Stansted](page:534) and [Luton](page:535) for low-cost European flying, [London City](page:536) for fast access to the City and Canary Wharf, and [Southend](page:537) when its smaller route network happens to fit. For a decision by destination inside London, use [Choosing the Right Airport](page:539). ## Planning The airport is only half the trip. Compare [Ground Transport](page:538), check [early and late flights](page:62886), and use [Apps and live services](page:62907) for live transport information. If you are curious why London ended up with this fragmented system, see [History of London's airports](page:62999). --- ## Pages - [History of London's airports](page:62999) - [Heathrow Airport](page:532) - [Getting there](page:62918) - [Airlines and routes](page:62919) - [History](page:62920) - [Terminals](page:62921) - [Gatwick Airport](page:533) - [Getting there](page:62922) - [Airlines and routes](page:62923) - [History](page:62924) - [Terminals](page:62925) - [Stansted Airport](page:534) - [Getting there](page:62926) - [Airlines and routes](page:62927) - [History](page:62928) - [Luton Airport](page:535) - [Getting there](page:62929) - [Airlines and routes](page:62930) - [History](page:62931) - [London City Airport](page:536) - [Getting there](page:62932) - [Airlines and routes](page:62933) - [History](page:62934) - [Southend Airport](page:537) - [Getting there](page:62935) - [Airlines and routes](page:62936) - [History](page:62937) - [Ground Transport](page:538) - [Tickets and payment](page:62884) - [Airport-to-airport transfers](page:62885) - [Early and late flights](page:62886) - [Choosing the Right Airport](page:539) - [Best airport by London area](page:62887) - [Apps and live services](page:62907) - [Former London airports and airfields](page:64091) - [Hounslow Heath Aerodrome](page:64096) - [Croydon Airport](page:64097) - [Heston Airport](page:64098) - [Hendon Aerodrome](page:64099) - [RAF Northolt](page:64100)