When airports work well – as in fact they usually do – they’re a marvel of organisation and ingenuity. There’s something very special about the scale and complexity of a large airport that’s both awe inspiring and endlessly fascinating. In particular, the idea of so many flights, and so many people, moving around the world in such a complex and co-ordinated way is remarkable.
At the same time, it’s easy to fall for the stereotype of assuming that Heathrow and Gatwick have all the long haul flights from the UK. It’s true that these two sites do dominate the market, and in 2023 both were in the top 50 busiest airports worldwide for passenger traffic. Heathrow, in particular, shows its significance and dominance. In the 2023 rankings it was fourth globally, seeing a staggering 79,183,364 passengers – more than the population of the UK in the same year, estimated at 68.35 million.
What is long haul travel?
This is one of those concepts that, slightly annoyingly, are defined differently by different bodies. Some authorities use a measure of distance (eg 3500km+) and some use a measure of time (3+ hours or 6+ hours, depending on your source). For simplicity, this article uses a broader concept of flights outside of Europe (Iceland is included in Europe) and the Mediterranean, and taking a broad view of the latter.
This means that some destinations are regarded as short or medium-haul when they might otherwise qualify as long haul. These short haul outliers include Turkey (about 4 hours flying), Egypt (Cairo, slightly less than 5 hrs), The Canaries (about 4 ½ hours) and Morocco (from 3 hours flying time). Thus, typical long haul flights considered here are to everywhere else – anything from the Americas to sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Pacific and Australasia.
Heathrow is only one of several long haul airports
It’s worth remembering that Heathrow and Gatwick are not the only UK international airports offering long haul flights. There are plenty of others offering something similar. Yes, there may not be the same choice of routes and airlines, but that may not matter. In particular, if you live within reach of an alternative, you may decide on your holiday destination based on where you can go from your nearest long haul departure point.
The principal alternatives to Heathrow and Gatwick are Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Newcastle. For 2025, starting in March or April, there are also plans for new long haul flights from London Luton, Bristol and Bournemouth.
Why choose one of the long haul airports that aren’t Heathrow or Gatwick?
Sometimes using one of the big two may be unavoidable. One or other may be the only point from which you can fly to your chosen destination. Or, because of greater capacity out of that airport, prices per seat may be irresistibly cheaper than from regional airports.
However, consider the geographical spread of the alternatives listed above. You can see that for many people, at least one of these will be much closer than Heathrow or Gatwick. There are other advantages too. If you live a long distance from the two big airports in the south, you may well spend a day getting there and need a night in the hotel in order to check in for your flight the next morning. And possibly the same on your return. The costs, and the hassle factor, add up. The extra time, money, and inconvenience may more than outweigh the higher cost per seat of flying from one of the regional hubs.
Regional Airport does not mean small airport
Of course, some local airports are tiny. But those regional ones offering international flights have a critical mass and the infrastructure to match. Those providing long haul flights are likewise sophisticated operations. Some, like Manchester and Glasgow, really do have the feel of a large airport, but still come with advantage of being local or easily accessible. The smaller airports on the list – Newcastle and Bournemouth for example – still have the appeal of a smaller and usually less crowded space, but with the benefits of long haul destinations too.
In 2025, where can I fly from if I’m going long haul?
It’s difficult to produce a definitive list, as details can change. However, it’s easy to check airport, airline and tour operator websites in the very early stages of planning your holiday. At that point, another useful website to get you started is https://www.flightsfrom.com/ . Before that, the regional list below should give you an idea of the range of choices.
London Heathrow: the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia.
London Gatwick: the Caribbean, the Americas, Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean.
Manchester: North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia.
Birmingham: North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, India.
Glasgow: North America, the Middle East.
Edinburgh: North America, the Middle East.
Newcastle: the Middle East, Mexico
Additionally, Bristol, London Luton and Bournemouth airports are planning to add long haul routes. Destinations should include New York and selected locations in the Middle East. If you live within reach of one of these airports, it’s definitely worth checking out their new routes.
It’s not just the price of the seat
Choosing your holiday departure point is about more than what you pay to fly, although that is naturally part of the equation. Another key factor is keeping pre-flight travel, and possibly accommodation, to a comfortable minimum. And that’s not purely about price – it’s about comfort and convenience. It’s also about being able to stay relaxed from the moment you lock your front door and start your journey. So if you can fly from a nearby airport, why would you not do so?
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Essiell Ltd and Money4Travel.
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