If you live in the Greater London area and travel by plane then you’ll know you don’t have to go far to get to an airport that flies to your chosen destination. With six airports in London’s surrounding areas alone, travellers coming in and out of the UK from these hubs number in the hundreds of millions. Further north airports are fewer and further between, though the region is still served very well for international and domestic flights.
If you live north of Cambridge then the chances are that an airport in the Midlands will be closer than those further south, and likewise people in the Midlands and North will find they can get to wherever they are going without having to go too far afield to get airside. There are over 40 airports in the UK, some are private and others only serve military or freight flights, and others are geared towards pilots in training. The vast majority are open to the public, flying commercially across the globe.
Manchester Airport
Based towards the south of Greater Manchester and with excellent connections across the North and the Midlands, Manchester Airport is one of England’s largest airports outside of London. Serving millions of passengers every year, Manchester Airport is packed full of conveniences designed to make your journey a more pleasant one.
From fast food outlets to fine dining restaurants, and from convenience stores to luxury branded outlets, you can satisfy your shopping cravings, grab a bite to eat, and treat yourself to a drink at one of the pubs or coffee shops. Being one of the primary airports in England, Manchester Airport offers direct flights across Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia and Africa. Most airlines will fly out from here, including budget airlines and flagship carriers.
Liverpool Airport
Officially called Liverpool John Lennon Airport after the famous musician, Liverpool Airport might not be the biggest but it still offers an excellent choice of routes and is fully kitted out with everything you would expect at an airport. Restaurants and bars will provide you with refreshments, and you can find a selection of stores to get all those last minute bits and pieces for your trip.
If you are driving in then you’ll appreciate the convenience of parking at Liverpool Airport because it tends to be less hectic than at larger airports. It is also often cheaper and you can find some excellent deals online. There are a good number of other options at Liverpool John Lennon Airport such as accessibility services and free wifi.
Newcastle International Airport
One of the busiest airports north of the Midlands, Newcastle International Airport flies to all the major European airports as well as offering connecting flights to destinations further afield. There are great parking services available for those arriving by personal car, but the airport has excellent connections so you can arrive conveniently by other means.
In terms of occupying yourself as you wait to board your flight, there are loads of things to do. If you are feeling hungry you’ll have your pick of restaurants and food outlets serving everything from fast food to cafe style dining. There is also a well stocked bar and several retail stores so you can do some last minute shopping.
Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport is located in the West Midlands so it’s very convenient for Midlanders to get to. There is ample parking on-site, and there are also rail and bus connections serving the airport. It is a good option for direct international flights as well as getting you to your connecting flight. If you want a premium experience then you can book into Birmingham Airport’s executive lounge where you can enjoy some refreshments and make use of complementary wifi and phone and laptop charging.
East Midlands Airport
Serving more than 90 business and recreational destinations, East Midlands Airport carries more than 4 million passengers every year. There are loads of direct routes across Europe and the Americas, as well as connecting flights to get you further from home. Waiting times at East Midlands Airport are generally lower than in other, larger airports so you can usually breeze through security and have a low stress experience.
