London Biggin Hill Airport for private jets

Private jet Biggin Hill: London's south-east business airport

A private jet Biggin Hill departure gives Londoners a business aviation airport that is closer to the centre than most people expect. London Biggin Hill Airport sits on a plateau in the London Borough of Bromley, on the south-eastern edge of Greater London, and it is technically inside the capital's boundary. It is home to a mix of business jets, flight schools, maintenance hangars and historic aircraft, with a passenger terminal focused on private flights rather than airlines.

The panels above this guide list the airport's codes (EGKB and BQH), nearby alternatives and the routes we quote from Biggin Hill. This guide explains when it is the smart choice, how its hours work, and how it compares with the other London airports. We are a charter broker: we do not own or fly aircraft, but we source them from vetted operators and help you pick the airport that shortens your journey.

Why Biggin Hill works for private jet travel

Biggin Hill has built its business around private aviation, and it shows in a few practical ways.

• No airline schedule. Biggin Hill does not host scheduled airline services, so private flights are not competing with airline banks for the runway.
• No slot system. The airport has promoted itself as free of the slot restrictions that apply at coordinated London airports, which gives operators more freedom to move a departure time at short notice (Aviation Pros).
• Long operating hours. Its published hours run later into the evening than Farnborough's, which helps with late returns (details below).
• Close to the City and Canary Wharf. For the financial districts and much of south-east London and Kent, Biggin Hill is often a shorter drive than Farnborough or Luton.
• A strong maintenance base. The airport hosts a large business jet service centre operated by Bombardier, one reason many aircraft are based or serviced here.

For travellers who want a quiet, business-focused terminal but live or work east of the centre, Biggin Hill often wins on door-to-door time.

Opening hours at Biggin Hill

The airport publishes its opening hours as 06:30 to 23:00 Monday to Friday, and 08:00 to 22:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (London Biggin Hill Airport). The weekday window is one of the longest among London's business-only airports, and the weekend evening close is later than at Farnborough.

What that means for a private jet Biggin Hill trip:

• Early weekday departures from 06:30 suit business travellers heading to a morning meeting in Paris, Geneva or Milan.
• Late weekday returns up to 23:00 give a margin for a full day away and a dinner before flying home.
• Weekend returns until 22:00 make Sunday evening flights from the Alps or the Mediterranean easier to plan than at an airport that closes at 20:00.

Hours can change, and the airport has extended them in the past (Business Airport International). We confirm them for each flight, and for tight evening arrivals we keep an alternative airport in the plan.

The London Borough of Bromley owns the land and oversees the lease, and the council publishes information on the airport's operating conditions and noise (Bromley Council). Local residents live close to the airfield, and noise rules are taken seriously; operators follow the airport's procedures for approaches and departures.

Getting to Biggin Hill from central London

Biggin Hill is roughly 15 miles south-east of central London as the crow flies, but the drive runs through suburban roads rather than a motorway. The map above plots the route from the city centre. As general guidance, allow around an hour from the City or Westminster, depending on traffic, and less from Bromley, Sevenoaks or north-west Kent.

Biggin Hill tends to suit:

• City of London and Canary Wharf professionals, especially when London City's aircraft restrictions rule out the jet they need.
• Residents of south-east London, Kent and Surrey's eastern side, for whom Farnborough and Luton mean crossing the capital.
• Travellers who want a helicopter link. A helicopter transfer between Biggin Hill and central London can take minutes rather than an hour, subject to weather, landing permission and cost. Ask us for current options.

From north or west London, Luton or Farnborough will usually be quicker by road. The right airport always depends on where your journey starts.

Aircraft and routes from Biggin Hill

The airport reports that it handles aircraft from light jets up to airliner-based corporate jets. Its runway is shorter than those at Farnborough or Luton, so the operator checks performance for heavy, long-range departures, particularly in hot weather or with full fuel.

European city and leisure flights

Biggin Hill is a natural base for short European trips: Paris, Geneva, Nice, Milan, Madrid and Ibiza. For a day trip, the combination of a close airport, no slots and long hours is hard to beat. See the London to Milan private jet route and London to Madrid route for flight times and estimate ranges.

Longer flights

Transatlantic departures are possible from Biggin Hill with suitable long-range jets, subject to the operator's performance calculations. Our London to New York route, London to Boston route and London to Washington route explain the aircraft options. For the longest sectors, such as London to Los Angeles, London to Miami or London to Dubai, the operator may prefer an airport with a longer runway for a full-fuel departure, or plan a fuel stop. We will tell you which applies to your trip.

Our aircraft guide compares categories by range, cabin size and luggage space. Runway screening on this page uses sourced runway data that is not yet verified; the operator makes the final call for each flight.

Biggin Hill compared with other London airports

The panels above give straight-line distances: London City is 11 nm away, Farnborough 31 nm and Luton 36 nm. Here is how the choice usually plays out.

Consideration	Biggin Hill	Alternatives
Traffic	Business and general aviation, no airlines	Luton and London City host airlines; Farnborough is business-only
Slots	Not slot-coordinated	Luton and London City are coordinated
Hours	Long weekday day, late weekend close	Farnborough closes earlier, especially at weekends
Aircraft	Light to large jets, with performance checks on the longest sectors	London City limits aircraft to approved steep-approach types
Best for	City, Canary Wharf, south-east London, Kent	North London (Luton), south-west (Farnborough)

Compare it with London City Airport, its nearest neighbour, and with Farnborough and Luton. All four appear on our London private jet airports map.

The passenger experience at Biggin Hill

What happens on the day is a large part of why people fly privately, and Biggin Hill's scale helps. The airport is small enough that the walk from car to terminal to aircraft is short, and the building is designed around small groups rather than airline crowds.

A typical private jet Biggin Hill departure runs like this:

• Arrival. Your driver brings you to the terminal entrance. Staff meet you, take your luggage and confirm your passports and any documents needed for the destination.
• Security and border checks. Screening is carried out in the terminal for your group only. For international departures, border formalities are handled here too, as arranged for the flight.
• Lounge time, if any. Many passengers go straight to the aircraft. If the crew are finishing their checks, a quiet lounge is available.
• Boarding. You are driven or walked to the aircraft, where the crew load your bags and brief you before departure.

On return, the process runs in reverse, and the car can be waiting as you step off the aircraft, subject to the handler's security rules. Pets, sports equipment and special catering requests are easier to manage in a small terminal, but they still need notice, so tell us about them when you enquire.

What a private jet from Biggin Hill costs

The airport choice rarely decides the price. A charter quote is built from the aircraft category, the flight time, any positioning flight to bring the aircraft to Biggin Hill, crew duty and overnight costs, and airport and handling charges. Because many aircraft are based or serviced at Biggin Hill, positioning is sometimes shorter, which can help on short European trips.

Our private jet cost guide explains how operators build quotes and why an estimate differs from a firm price. All figures on the site are estimates until a written quote confirms them.

For flexible one-way trips, check the empty-leg listings. Aircraft leaving Biggin Hill after maintenance or a drop-off sometimes fly empty, and those legs can be sold at a lower price, on the operator's timing.

Seasonality and events

Biggin Hill follows the London pattern, with a few local twists.

• Summer: heavy Mediterranean traffic on Fridays and Sundays. The later weekend close is an advantage for Sunday returns.
• Winter: ski traffic to Geneva, Chambéry, Sion and Samedan, especially on Saturdays in February half-term.
• Festival weekends: the airport has a long aviation heritage as a Battle of Britain fighter station, and it has hosted air displays and heritage flying. Check whether any event overlaps your dates, as it can affect ground access and apron space.
• Corporate weeks: mid-week demand spikes around major financial and industry conferences in European capitals.

Even without slots, popular times can see aircraft availability tighten. Booking a private jet Biggin Hill flight a few days ahead widens the choice of aircraft.

How booking a Biggin Hill charter works

1. Tell us the trip. Dates, times, passengers, luggage and where you are starting from in London.
2. We choose the airport together. If Biggin Hill fits, we check hours and runway suitability for the aircraft; if not, we suggest a better option.
3. We source aircraft. We gather availability and prices from vetted operators and present estimates, then firm quotes.
4. You confirm. A written quote you accept contracts the operator to fly the trip; we coordinate the details.
5. Travel day. Arrive at the terminal at the agreed time with your passport. The handler takes care of security and border procedures.

Customs and immigration arrangements depend on the flight and the passengers. We confirm what applies for each international trip rather than relying on general rules.

Tips for flying from Biggin Hill

• Use the long weekday hours. A 06:30 departure and a late return make day trips to Europe practical.
• Allow for suburban roads. The final miles are not motorway; build in time at rush hour.
• Ask about helicopter transfers if every minute counts.
• Share luggage and passenger weights early on long sectors, because runway performance can limit fuel and payload.
• Keep an alternative in mind for very late arrivals near closing time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Biggin Hill in London?

Yes. London Biggin Hill Airport is in the London Borough of Bromley, on the south-eastern edge of Greater London, close to the Kent border.

What are Biggin Hill Airport's opening hours?

The airport's published hours are 06:30 to 23:00 Monday to Friday, and 08:00 to 22:00 on weekends and public holidays. Confirm current hours when you book.

Does Biggin Hill have airline flights?

No scheduled airline services operate from Biggin Hill. The airport focuses on business aviation, general aviation and maintenance.

Is Biggin Hill or London City better for a private jet?

Both are close to the City and Canary Wharf. London City accepts only aircraft approved for its steep approach and has shorter weekend hours for private flights, while Biggin Hill takes a wider range of jets. The best choice depends on the aircraft and your timing.

Can I fly long-haul from Biggin Hill?

Yes, with a suitable long-range jet. On the longest sectors the operator checks runway performance and may plan a fuel stop or suggest a different London airport.

How long does it take to get from Biggin Hill to central London?

By car, about an hour from the City or Westminster in normal traffic. A helicopter transfer is much faster, subject to weather and availability.

Plan your Biggin Hill flight

Biggin Hill combines a business-only atmosphere, long opening hours and easy access from the City and south-east London. Tell us where you are going and where you are starting, and we will confirm whether it is the right airport and which aircraft fit. Use the quote form on this page, or return to our private jet charter home page and browse the route directory.