As one of the four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon is an exciting event for fans of the game and tourists alike. Bringing together the best tennis stars in the world annually, Wimbledon is a unique opportunity to see great players compete against the backdrop of London.
The latest Wimbledon, held in 2019, saw Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, two of the greatest players of all-time, deciding the crown in a thrilling five-sets, five hour-long match.
Since the first event was held in 1877, the event has taken place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon.
With being hosted just outside of London, Wimbledon presents numerous opportunities for those hoping to land their private aircraft nearby and catch the annual event.
Airport Options Around London
While London is a packed city of nearly 9 million people, many airports exist not far away that can fit each traveler’s preferences.
Flight planning services, such as those offered by Flightworx, are able to assist the aircraft operator on deciding which is the best option for arriving at Britain’s capital city, whether it is for cost factors, close proximity or both. These businesses work through all of the bureaucracies involved in planning the flight, so the operator can save both time and money.
In terms of pure distance, London Heathrow (LHR) is the closest airport to the venue at only 12.3 miles away from the All England Club. However, despite having good fixed-base operations (FBO) services, Heathrow is widely known for its very expensive landing and parking fees.
This is in addition to difficult slot restrictions, which can delay flights for hours in the event of bad weather as other aircraft are prioritized.
Meanwhile, another great option for executive operators arriving in London is Biggin Hill Airport (BQH), an airport solely dedicated for private operations. Due to its dedicated operation, the airport affords its own premium FBO services. It is also a mere 45-minute drive by car to the All England Club.
Staying Near Downtown London
If you are traveling in and hoping to spend time in the city as well, a possible option is to land in London City Airport (LCY). Located right in the Royal Docks and near many office buildings and tourist attractions, the airport is only 15.5 miles away from Wimbledon.
The closeness also comes at a price, however, LCY’s privileged location requires an extreme operation in order to avoid local noise restrictions, especially upon take-off. The airport’s sole FBO operator, Northolt Jet Centre, is restricted to 40 civilian operations a day with very limited parking area.
With so many restrictions, a flight planning partner can help ensure that your aircraft is able to touch down and even obtain concierge services to make the most of your time in London.
Bottom Line
As one of London’s premier events draws closer, those looking to fly private aircraft to the event will want to be sure to get ahead on planning their trips. Thankfully, partners like Flightworx can focus on planning the flight, leaving you more time to enjoy the sights and seeing the greatest tennis players on earth come together.
