London Stansted
Airport
The London field for large private aircraft. A 10,003 foot runway, ramps built for VIP airliners, and several dedicated FBOs, 40 miles north east of the centre. Level 3 slots and mandatory handling.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
Stansted at a glance
Stansted carries the ICAO code EGSS and the identifier STN. A single 10,003 foot runway at 348 feet elevation, about 40 miles north east of central London, with the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street in about 50 minutes.
It is ACL Level 3 slot coordinated with mandatory handling, and one of the strongest business aviation bases in the London area.
The Strength
Built for the big aircraft
Stansted’s business aviation ramps and FBOs are built for large cabin and VIP airliner types. When a wide body private aircraft or a head of state comes to London, this is frequently where it lands.
The 10,003 foot runway is an inheritance of the airport’s origins as a wartime bomber base, and it takes anything flying. The published fire category is 7, lower than you might expect at this scale, so we confirm the cover against very large aircraft rather than assume it.
The Constraints
Slots and the night quota
Stansted is Level 3 coordinated by ACL and every movement needs an allocated slot. Handling is mandatory. Night movements are restricted under a quota and noise classification, most tightly in summer; our bulletin on the Luton and Stansted night-time restrictions covers the detail.
The UK requires no landing permit for most private and charter flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with Border Force before arrival. We file it with the slot and the handling.
History
A bomber base that became London’s third airport
Stansted was built in 1943 as a United States Army Air Forces bomber base. It passed to civil use after the war and was designated London’s third airport in the 1980s, with the Norman Foster terminal opening in 1991.
The long runway and the large ramps that make it so suitable for big private aircraft are a direct inheritance of the military years.
Nearby
Stansted and the London fields
London has more business aviation airports than any city in Europe. Stansted is the north eastern gateway and the one for large aircraft.
EGLLLondon HeathrowEGKKLondon GatwickEGGWLondon LutonEGLCLondon City
EGWURAF NortholtEGLFFarnboroughEGKBLondon Biggin HillEGTKLondon OxfordEGLDDenham Aerodrome
Luton is the other northern Level 3 field, closer in and with the highest private jet volume. London City for the financial district. Farnborough and Biggin Hill for the south. Heathrow and Gatwick for scheduled connections. Oxford for the north west.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Stansted, answered
Can private jets use Stansted?
Yes, and it is one of the strongest business aviation bases in the London area. A 10,003 foot runway, several dedicated FBOs, and a long history of handling large private and VIP aircraft including heads of state. It is ACL Level 3 slot coordinated and handling is mandatory, but general aviation is a core part of the operation rather than an afterthought.
Why do large private aircraft use Stansted?
Runway and ramp. At 10,003 feet the runway takes anything, the business aviation ramps are built for large cabin and VIP airliner types, and the FBO infrastructure is among the best in the UK. When a wide body private aircraft comes to London, this is frequently where it lands.
How long is the runway at Stansted?
04/22 is 3,049 metres, about 10,003 feet, by 151 feet, in asphalt. Field elevation is 348 feet. The published fire category is 7, which is lower than you might expect for a field of this scale, so we confirm the cover against very large aircraft.
Does Stansted need a slot?
Yes, Stansted is Level 3 coordinated by ACL. Slots are requested through the coordinator and handling is mandatory. Night movements are restricted under a quota shared in framework with Luton and Heathrow, and our note on the summer night-time restrictions at Luton and Stansted covers the detail.
When does Stansted make sense for a private flight?
For the north east of London, Essex, Cambridge and East Anglia, for a large aircraft, and for a scheduled connection from Stansted itself. The Stansted Express reaches Liverpool Street in about 50 minutes, which is competitive with a car for the City.
Stansted or Luton?
Both are Level 3 coordinated northern fields with strong business aviation infrastructure. Luton has the higher private jet volume and is closer to central London; Stansted has the longer runway and is better placed for Cambridge and East Anglia. For a very large aircraft Stansted usually wins.
Is ground handling mandatory at Stansted?
Yes, through one of the business aviation handlers on the field. The arrangement is made alongside the slot.
Do you need a permit to fly into the UK?
No landing permit for most private and charter flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with UK Border Force before arrival. We file the GAR, the slot and the handling together.
What is the night regime at Stansted?
Night movements are restricted under a quota and noise classification, with the busiest restrictions in summer. Late arrivals and early departures need planning against the published night period rather than assumed.
What is the history of Stansted?
Built as a USAAF bomber base in 1943, it passed to civil use after the war and was designated London's third airport in the 1980s, with the Norman Foster terminal opening in 1991. Its long runway and large ramps are an inheritance of the military years, and are why it suits large private aircraft so well.
What time zone is London in?
Greenwich Mean Time in winter and British Summer Time from late March to late October, which is UTC+0 and UTC+1 respectively.
Get Your Number
Request a London charter
Send the aircraft type first. If it is large, Stansted is likely where we will recommend, and we file the ACL slot, the handling and the GAR together and check the night quota against your timings.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.