Luton Airport

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 11:28:37 +0100

Introduction and History - London Luton Airport handles over 6 million passengers per annum a year via budget airlines like Easyjet, Britannia Airways and Monarch Airlines. It has flights to over sixty regional and scheduled destinations. In 1938, Luton Airport was opened by the Right Honorable Kingsley Wood. The airport was owned by the Borough of Luton. During World War Two, the airport sheltered 264 Fighter Squadron as well as planed from the Percival Aircraft Company (who also manufactured military and civil aircraft). In 1952 the airport had a new control tower for civilian flights as holiday 'packages' abroad became more realistic and affordable. The Government recognised Luton airport is an integral part of its transport strategy in its White Paper. Preparations were started by the airport's committee to take London Luton Airport into the 1990s with the ability to receive five million passengers per annum. Between 1992 to 1996 a new air traffic control tower and terminal was opened. In 1989 over four million passengers went through Luton airport. Also an £80 million investment programme was implemented. put in place. In 2000, the airport chapel was opened. The airport is located 30 miles north of London.

Facilities - Airport facilities include web enabled phones, ATM's, a lost property office, children's play centre, baby care rooms, chapel, amusement centre, and an airport spectators viewing area. The terminal has 60 check in desks and ovehead digital passenger information systems.

Food: Bar des Voyageurs - offers coffees, pastries, sandwiches, soft drinks, bottled beers, mixers and minerals. | Bewleys Express Café/Bar - provides coffees, teas and hot chocolate as well as cakes, pastries, sandwiches and baguettes. | Burger King - sells breakfast meals and main meals. | Costa - Costa offers a selection of coffees, teas and hot chocolate along with bottled beers and lagers. Hot food snacks are also available such as panninis, bagels, croissants and toasties, as well as a wide range of cakes, pastries, sandwiches and baguettes. | Est Bar Est - Chic bar offering delicious simple food and drink, amidst a wonderland relaxed atmosphere. Freshly prepared cocktails, juice combinations, Italian coffee and a delicious selection of antipasti platters. | Est Restaurant - provides pizza, pasta,sandwiches and salads. | Food Village - offers baguettes, snacks, beverages and croissants. | Millies Cookies - sells cookies andcakes and muffins. | Prêt a Manger - offers sandwiches, salads and baguettes. | Starbucks - provides breakfast and lunch and snacks. | The Juice & Bagels Store - provides nutritious juice and bagels. | The Real Food Company - provides buffet style food.

Shops: Shops at the airport include:- Accessorize - sells bags, cosmetics and fashion items. | Boots - sells health and beauty products for personal care, skin care and hair. | Cotton Traders - provides casual clothes for both men and women. | Dixons - sells electrical products. | Gamegrid - offers electroinc entertainment and games. | Impulse - sels dvd's, music and videos. | Monsoon - sells women's clothing. | Sunglass Hut - offers sunglasses and watches | The Travel Galleria - sells perfume, cosmetics and confectionery. | Tie Rack - sells mens and ladies neckwear. | WH Smith - offers books and magazines.

Currency Exchange: The airport has a Travelex and 4 Bureaux de Change points in the terminal.

Disabled Facilities: Disabled facilities include adapted toilets, induction loops, information points, wheelchairs, disabled parking, a porter service, dedicated parking spaces close to the terminal, and specially designed toilets.

Business Travellers - The Aviance Executive Lounge is locatd in international departures lounge area. It provides fax, internet, phone and conferencing facilities as well as newspapers and complimentary drinks and snacks.

Getting There and Local Travel Connections....

Road: To get to the airport, take M25 J21, then M1 north to J10 and follow the signs to the airport. From the East take te A1 to the A505 dual carriageway and follow the signs to the airport.

Train: Regular rail services to central London take twenty five minutes. Thameslink operates trains between London and Luton Airport Parkway train station taking about thirty five minutes journey time.

Luton International Airport Guide

Luton Airport