Your complete guide to using London Luton Airport
We're always on the lookout for sun, sea, sand and exciting new destinations for exploring and relaxing.
Once you've found your latest travel destination, everyone here at London Luton Airport (LLA) will be eager to welcome you for your trip. We want to ensure that your journey is smooth and simple, so we’ve put together a rundown of what happens at the airport and who is on hand to help with any questions or concerns you might have.
Getting to LLA | Check-in and bag drop | Special Assistance | Security | Inside LLA | Boarding | Arrivals | Border Control | Baggage Return | Onward Travel
Getting to London Luton Airport
By train
If you're travelling from central London, get to the airport in as little as 32 minutes with the Luton Airport Express. Simply hop on a train at St Pancras International to arrive at Luton Airport Parkway, and then take the Luton DART to the terminal.
You can travel directly to Luton Airport Parkway train station from Corby, Brighton, Rainham and all the stops in between. And of course you can travel from further afield with connections. Take the Luton DART once you get to Parkway to be dropped off directly in front of the terminal.
By coach or bus
Our coach drop off points and bus bays are right outside the terminal building, just a stone’s throw from the entrance to Departures. Get to London Luton Airport with National Express, Green Line, Stagecoach, Arriva, and more, from locations across the country.
By car
We have several drop off areas for taxis and other vehicles, including a charged Express Drop Off, or you can drop off for free in our Mid Stay or Long Stay Car Parks.
If you're looking for parking during your trip, we have options to suit all budgets at our official on-site car parks.
Find out more about getting to London Luton Airport here.
Check-in/Bag-drop
If you’re unable to check-in online or have hold luggage to drop-off, you will need to head to the check-in area before passing through security. Your airline has overall responsibility for this process and opening and closing times for check-in varies between airlines.
When to arrive
We recommend you always arrive at the airport as advised by your airline - typically 2-3 hours before your flight.
You’ll be required to show your travel documents including your passport at check-in/bag-drop (and also at the gate when boarding your flight) so make sure you have these ready.
The staff who greet you at these desks, and check-in your luggage on behalf of your airline, are employed by a Ground Handling Agent.
At London Luton Airport there are three Ground Handling Agents contracted directly to our airlines:
DHL (easyJet)
GH Luton (Wizz Air)
Swissport (Ryanair, TUI, SunExpress, EL AL, Flyone, Dan Air)
Special Assistance
Special Assistance is available for passengers who need some extra support and can be booked via your airline. This should be done at least 48 hours in advance of your flight.
Security
Whether you’ve checked-in online and are just travelling with hand luggage, or you’ve checked-in at the airport with your hold baggage, you will always need to pass through security search on the way to your flight.
This area is manned by highly-trained airport staff who must uphold government and aviation standards of airport safety. To get you quickly on your way, we work hard to keep queues to a minimum but we’ll never compromise on safety.
Being prepared
To make your security experience as smooth and simple as possible, please arrive prepared, check out our top tips and be Security Smart. Liquid rules remain in place in line with government guidance.
You can also use our Fast Track security service which is dedicated to getting you to security and Departures faster.
It’s worth remembering that you’ll need to scan your boarding pass to enter security search but we won’t need to see passports at this point.
Inside the airport
Shopping and dining
We’re home to over 40 retail and restaurant brands so there’s something for everyone passing through LLA. Here’s what’s available within the terminal.
All staff work hard to make your experience enjoyable, friendly and swift but please bear with them at busy times.
If you have a question for one of our retail outlets, it’s best to contact them directly. However, if you’d like to speak to us too, then we’re happy to hear from you.
Water fountains
Remember that despite the restrictions on taking liquids in hand luggage through security search, you can take through empty water bottles to refill after. You’ll find water fountains at the back of the security hall and in the departure lounge near toilet facilities. Our retailers are also happy to refill your bottles.
Quiet Room & Changing Places
If you need somewhere quiet to take a moment, you can head to the Quiet Room by Gate 17 in Departures. The Quiet Room is a multi-use room intended for any passenger seeking a quieter area to wait away from the crowds of the main departure area.
The Quiet Room is also where you’ll find our Changing Places facility, which includes an adult-sized changing bench and hoist.
As it is not a designated space for those using our Special Assistance services, the Quiet Room is not staffed or monitored to ensure quietness is observed. We therefore rely on all passengers who use the Quiet Room to observe its intentions as a quieter environment. Because of this, we make no guarantee that the room will be quiet.
We ask that passengers respect the space and the needs of all users of the Quiet room.
Seating
Although there is seating in the main departure lounge, you may be looking for somewhere a little quieter during busy periods. Just head towards the gates where you’ll find additional seating in the walkways.
Children’s area
If you're travelling with little ones and have some time to wait for your flight, we have a small airport-themed children’s area next to Gate 7, just around the corner from Pret a Manger. There are also interactive kids games dotted around the terminal in seating areas to look out for.
Charging
Passengers with electronic devices that need charging will find charging points by the Information Desk, in the departure lounge, next to Gates 6, 7, 22, and 30, as well as in our restaurants and cafes. Charging points are also available at our coffee stations by Gates 22 and 30.
Reporting a concern
We want to make sure your journey through the airport is as safe and as comfortable as possible. If you spot something of concern, please contact us here.
Delayed or cancelled flights
In the unfortunate event that a flight is delayed or cancelled, please listen for announcements or look out for instructions from your airline via email or their dedicated app. Your airline’s ground handler will take things from there. Your airline will always have the most up to date information so it’s important you raise any queries regarding delays or cancellations directly with them.
Boarding
When your flight is ready for departure, you’ll be called to the gate to start the boarding process. The staff getting you through the gate and on board the aircraft, as well as those putting your luggage in the hold and getting the aircraft ready for take-off, are organised by your airline and their contracted Ground Handling Agent.
You’ll need to have your travel documents ready for inspection at the gate, including your boarding pass, passport and any country-specific documentation.
Remember that the gate will close 30 minutes before your flight time.
Arrivals
Disembarking
Once you’ve touched down at London Luton Airport, your aircraft will be marshalled on to stand and steps will be delivered to the door. This, along with the transfer of your luggage from the hold, is the responsibility of your airline’s Ground Handling Agent.
If you have any feedback you’d like to share on these areas, it’s best to contact your airline as this process is outside of our direct control.
Border Control
After disembarking your aircraft, you will pass through the immigration hall manned by the UK Government’s Border Force.
Passengers with biometric passports can use the e-Passport gates but remember to remove hats and glasses for the camera! It’s also worth noting that passengers must be aged 10+ to use the gates and anyone under 18-years should be accompanied by an adult.
If you feel you would like to raise an issue further, then please inform Border Force of your concerns.
At the end of your journey, we appreciate that you will be keen to get to your destination. However, this can be a busy area, particularly if several flights have arrived at the same time. Please rest assured that our teams are doing all they can to keep queues moving and prioritise those who need assistance.
Baggage Return
Once your passport has been checked and you’re ready to collect your luggage, you will need to find out which baggage belt to head for.
This is where your airline’s Ground Handling Agent (Menzies, Swissport or GH Luton – depending on your airline) comes in again, as they are in charge of offloading your bags from the aircraft and transferring them to the baggage hall.
During busy periods, there may be some slight delays to bags arriving. Whilst the ground handlers are always working hard to avoid this, please direct any concerns to your airline.
If your baggage does not arrive, or is damaged in any way, you will need to report this to your airline. As we’re not involved in this process, London Luton Airport is unable to provide assistance so please follow the steps set out in your airline’s lost or delayed baggage policy.
Lost Property
If you misplace any belongings on your way through the airport, Luggage-Point oversees all lost property and will be able to help. If you’ve left something on your flight, please contact your airline’s Ground Handling Agent and/or follow the process set out by your airline.
Onward Travel
There are plenty of options to get to where you’re going next - and you may already have that planned out. If not, our Onward Travel Centre (located by Burger King) is the place to go. Staff will be happy to assist with booking tickets and directing you to the correct bus bays.
Find more information on how to get to or from the airport here.