United Kingdom
Trip Support
GAR filing, the UK ETA for passengers, choosing between the London airports, night restrictions and quota counts, handling and parking, pets, and the ten London airport guides, from the desk that files British Isles trips every day.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 11 September 2026
The working reference
How the United Kingdom works for a private flight
The United Kingdom does not run on landing permits either. It runs on the General Aviation Report, the online declaration of every arrival and departure filed between two and 48 hours before the flight, with fines for a missed filing, and since 2024 it applies to Common Travel Area flights as well. Passengers who do not need a visa need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, valid two years, and the operator transmits passenger data ahead of the flight. The decision that shapes a London trip is the airport: Farnborough for the west and the country with an 8,000 foot runway and a 2200 weekday close, Biggin Hill for the City with the lowest fees but a 5,900 foot runway that rules out the heaviest jets, Luton for the north with slots and 24-hour fuel but only ten night slots between 2200 and 0600, London City for the Square Mile in a steep-approach certified light or midsize jet, Northolt for the west with tight slots and a short runway, Stansted and Gatwick around the clock, and Heathrow only when an airline connection demands it. Night flying is limited by movement caps and quota counts at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted through 2028. The desk files the GAR, checks every passenger's ETA, picks the field for the address and the aircraft, and books the slot.
GAR and entry
The General Aviation Report is required for every arrival and departure, filed online two to 48 hours before departure, with fines for a missed filing, and it applies to Common Travel Area flights. The desk files it with the trip. Border Force clears at the aircraft or the terminal depending on the field.
The ETA
Visa-free nationals, US citizens included since January 2025, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before they fly: online, usually approved in minutes and allow about three working days, valid two years for stays up to six months. Operators transmit passenger data ahead of the flight and permission is per passenger. It cannot be issued on arrival, and a passenger whose application is refused needs a visitor visa instead.
Choosing the London airport
Farnborough for the west and the country, business aviation only, 8,005 foot runway, 0700 to 2200 weekdays and 0800 to 2000 weekends. Biggin Hill for the City, 5,906 foot runway, 0630 to 2300 weekdays, the lowest fees, on-site Bombardier maintenance. Luton for the north, slots mandatory, no PPR, fuel around the clock. London City for the Square Mile, 4,948 foot runway, steep-approach training, tight slots, high parking. Northolt for the west, 5,535 feet, slots tight, a civilian cap of about 3,500 movements a year. Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow around the clock with night quotas.
Night restrictions
Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted keep movement caps and quota counts for the 2300 to 0600 period through October 2028. Luton allows ten night slots between 2200 and 0600 and has closed to general aviation overnight in past summers; Stansted limits night slots weekly. Farnborough, Biggin Hill and Oxford close overnight. A late arrival goes to Stansted or Gatwick.
Handling and parking
Handling is about 43 percent of the ground cost on a typical London stop and is banded by aircraft weight, with out-of-hours surcharges and an airport levy on top. Parking runs by the hour to about 19 hours and by the day beyond. Hangars are pre-booked. Biggin Hill is the cheapest of the London fields, London City and Northolt among the dearest, Liverpool and Manchester far cheaper for a stay.
Runways and aircraft
Farnborough, Stansted, Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow take every business jet. Biggin Hill at 5,906 feet and Northolt at 5,535 rule out the heaviest jets and hot-day full-fuel departures. London City at 4,948 feet takes only steep-approach certified light and midsize types with trained crews.
Pets
The operator's fleet must be Defra-approved to carry pets into the UK, about a two-week process, with a valid AOC. Microchip before the rabies vaccination, travel 21 days after it, tapeworm treatment for dogs between 24 and 120 hours before, original documents only, and at least 48 hours' notice. Border Force clears the passengers first and the pet check takes about five minutes.
Traffic and timing
London City is about 30 minutes from Canary Wharf off-peak, Stansted 50, Biggin Hill an hour, Luton an hour and ten, Farnborough an hour and a half. Avoid 0730 to 0930 and 1600 to 1830. Northolt is about 45 minutes to the West End off-peak.
Guides and updates
United Kingdom articles from the desk
The detailed pieces behind this page, newest first, each with the year it was written and the discipline it belongs to.
Who should avoid flying a private jet into London Heathrow Airport?
Lays out Heathrow's connectivity and 24/7 access against its congestion, slot scarcity and cost, advising who should use it and who should choose a dedicated business aviation airport.
Read the guide2025Airport handling, parking and feesWho should avoid flying a private jet into Farnborough Airport?
Lays out Farnborough's exclusivity, long runway and maintenance against its distance from London, restricted hours and lack of public transport to advise who should pick another airport.
Read the guide2025Slots, ATC and flight planningUK extends night flight restrictions for private jets
Reports the UK government's decision to keep night-flight movement and quota-count limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted through October 2028 and what it means for business aviation.
Read the guide2025Airport handling, parking and feesLondon Luton Airport private jet handling and parking fees
A fee breakdown for a Band G business jet at Luton covering handling, parking, hangar, out-of-hours surcharges, de-icing and ground equipment, plus crew planning tips.
Read the guide2025Airport handling, parking and feesWho should avoid flying a private jet into RAF Northolt Airport?
Pros and cons of RAF Northolt for private jets (proximity, security, limited hours, short runway, high fees) and which travellers should choose Luton, Farnborough or Stansted instead.
Read the guide2025Airport handling, parking and feesWho should avoid flying a private jet into London City Airport?
Weighs London City's central location against its short runway, steep approach, limited hours and high fees, and says which travellers should pick another London airport.
Read the guide2025Airport handling, parking and feesWho should avoid flying a private jet into London Biggin Hill Airport?
Weighs Biggin Hill's low fees, Bombardier maintenance and proximity against its short runway, restricted hours and slow road access to say which travellers should choose another London airport.
Read the guide2024Cabin, passengers and petsFlying Pets into the UK on Private Jets
Sets out the Defra operator approval, microchip, rabies, tapeworm and document requirements for bringing pets into the UK on a private jet.
Read the guide2024Customs, immigration and crew entryUK Private Jet Flight Support: GAR & Airport Costs
Explains the April 2024 UK GAR filing rules and ETA rollout, then compares handling and parking costs for a Global 5000 at six UK airports.
Read the guideAirport guides
The airports behind United Kingdom operations
Runways, slots, customs, handling and fuel on each field's own guide, written by the desk that files the paperwork.
Questions
United Kingdom trip support questions
What is a GAR and when do I file it?
The General Aviation Report, the UK's online declaration of every private arrival and departure, filed between two and 48 hours before departure. It applies to Common Travel Area flights too, and a missed filing carries a fine. The desk files it with the trip.
Do US passengers need anything to enter the UK on a private jet?
An Electronic Travel Authorisation, required for visa-free nationals including US citizens since January 2025. It is applied for online, usually approved in minutes, valid two years, and the operator transmits passenger data ahead of the flight.
Which London airport should a private jet use?
Farnborough for the west and the country, Biggin Hill for the City on a light or midsize jet, Luton for the north with slots, London City for the Square Mile in a steep-approach type, Northolt for the west with tight slots, Stansted or Gatwick for a night arrival, Heathrow only for an airline connection.
Can I land in London at night?
At Stansted and Gatwick, within their quota counts, and at Heathrow within its cap. Luton allows ten night slots between 2200 and 0600. Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Oxford and London City are closed overnight.
Which London airports take a heavy jet?
Farnborough, Luton, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow. Biggin Hill and Northolt have short runways that rule out the heaviest types and hot-day full-fuel departures, and London City takes only steep-approach certified light and midsize aircraft.
Which London airport is cheapest?
Biggin Hill has the lowest handling and parking among the London fields. London City and Northolt are among the dearest. For a long stay, Liverpool and Manchester are far cheaper and the aircraft repositions.
Does the UK need a slot or PPR?
Luton, London City, Northolt, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow are slotted; Luton needs no PPR. Farnborough and Biggin Hill run on prior permission. The desk books the slot with the handler.
Can I bring a dog or cat into the UK on a private jet?
Yes, on an operator whose fleet is Defra-approved, with a microchip before the rabies vaccination, travel 21 days after it, tapeworm treatment for dogs 24 to 120 hours before, original documents and at least 48 hours' notice.
How long is the drive from the London airports?
London City about 30 minutes to Canary Wharf, Stansted 50, Biggin Hill an hour, Luton an hour and ten, Farnborough an hour and a half, Northolt about 45 minutes to the West End, all off-peak. Avoid 0730 to 0930 and 1600 to 1830.
What does the desk need to file a UK trip?
Aircraft documents, passenger and crew names, nationalities and passport details for the GAR and the ETA check, the address in London so the field fits, and the dates. It comes back with the GAR filed, the slot or PPR booked, handling confirmed and the fees itemised.
Get it filed
Flying into the UK? Filed from the desk
Send the dates, the aircraft and the London address. You get the GAR filed, every passenger's ETA checked, the right field with the slot booked, and a number you can hold us to.
Contact UsPrefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email tripsupport@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.