The quietest and busiest airports in the UK: Where to fly from if you want to avoid crowds

By TravelWiseAug 15, 2023 07:29 AMNews
Share:
The quietest and busiest airports in the UK: Where to fly from if you want to avoid crowds
Vacationers should know which airports are the quietest and which are the busiest. Source: Pixabay

Tens of millions of foreigners and expatriates fly into the UK every year. The capacity of airports in and around London is impressive, but it can be a problem for people who don't like crowds and a frantic pace.

We should warn you right away that the quietest airports are located further away from the capital, but that doesn't mean there aren't flights to key countries in Europe, Asia or America. CN Traveler has compiled a list of the busiest and quietest places.

The top spot rightfully belongs to London Heathrow, which welcomed more than 61 million people last year. Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the central terminal in 1955, so this place has historical significance. This is where most flights from all over the world arrive.

The quietest and busiest airports in the UK: Where to fly from if you want to avoid crowds
Heathrow Airport is the busiest one. Source: Pixabay

Next on the list are Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted and Luton. All of them had from 10 to 32 million travelers last year.

The first place among the quietest and least busy airports is Kirkwall. Loganair is the only airline that regularly serves this runway in the Orkney Islands, and its remote location makes this airport not very convenient and unnecessary for tourists.

Travelers who want to go through security in silence and not stand in long lines can also pay attention to the airports of Humberside, Cornwall, Norwich and Bournemouth. None of them had more than 700 thousand people last year.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

Internet on a Cruise: How to Avoid Huge Bills for Connectivity

Aug 6, 2025 09:14 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM
More News
View of tropical bay with limestone cliffs and boats in southern Thailand

City Breaks and Beach Trips Get Cheaper via flydubai

Jan 18, 2026 01:32 AM
View of Helsinki Cathedral and waterfront buildings seen from the shoreline

New Beijing–Helsinki Link Takes Flight in Spring 2026

Jan 17, 2026 01:33 AM

LOT Opens Direct Warsaw-Malaga Route

Jan 16, 2026 23:56 PM

Canadians Urged to Pre-Pay Entry Fee for Colombia

Jan 15, 2026 21:06 PM
Air Europa aircraft seen through wet airport window

New Iberian Links as Air Europa Expands

Jan 15, 2026 20:33 PM
Fine dining-style plate with fish, beetroot and vegetables on a white table

Air France Adds Michelin Flair on African Routes

Jan 15, 2026 19:31 PM
Panoramic view of Istanbul’s skyline with ferries crossing the Bosphorus

New Gdańsk–Istanbul Route Adds a Useful Baltic Link

Jan 15, 2026 18:32 PM
View of Alicante coastline, marina and historic fortress under clear skies

New Nonstop Belgrade–Alicante Flights Set for Summer

Jan 15, 2026 07:31 AM
TAP Air Portugal aircraft landing at Porto Airport

Porto Gains New Long-Haul Links and TAP Investment

Jan 15, 2026 06:18 AM

Austrian Airlines Sets Plan for Free High-Speed Wi-Fi

Jan 14, 2026 20:04 PM

Summer 2026 Brings New Ryanair Links for Ancona

Jan 14, 2026 19:04 PM
Aerial view of Zurich with lake and historic towers at sunset.

Zurich Joins Glasgow’s Summer Flight Map

Jan 14, 2026 18:17 PM
Line of Ryanair passengers boarding a Boeing 737 at an airport.

Ryanair Calls Out OTAs for Inflated Fees in New Price Survey

Jan 14, 2026 04:37 AM
EU flag displayed on historic brick building.

EU Lawmakers Back Stricter Air Passenger Rules, Airlines Push Back

Jan 14, 2026 03:08 AM
Lufthansa Airbus aircraft taxiing at an airport.

Lufthansa Group Plans Fast Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Across Entire Fleet

Jan 14, 2026 02:32 AM

Helsinki Gets Year-Round Dubai Link With Emirates

Jan 14, 2026 02:02 AM

Taxi Strike Slows Airport Access in Rome

Jan 13, 2026 19:05 PM
Snow-covered airport apron with grounded aircraft and staff working in icy conditions.

Ice Disrupts Flights Across Central Europe as Airports Halt Operations

Jan 13, 2026 16:03 PM
Panoramic view of Naples with Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples under a partly cloudy sky

Wizz Air Links Naples With Palma de Mallorca Ahead of Summer 2026

Jan 13, 2026 15:24 PM
Husky team pulling a sled through a snowy forest trail.

Spring Lapland Becomes Easier to Plan for Snow-Lovers

Jan 13, 2026 02:33 AM
Museum exterior of the Guggenheim Bilbao beside the river on a clear day

New Milan–Bilbao Route Boosts Northern Italy’s Direct Links to Spain

Jan 13, 2026 01:34 AM
Finnair aircraft parked at snowy Helsinki Airport apron

Finnair Refreshes Long-Haul Business Class With Nordic Flair

Jan 13, 2026 00:31 AM

Wizz Air Adds New Summer Links From Bulgaria to Spain, Greece and Poland

Jan 12, 2026 23:35 PM

KLM Restores Regular Schedule After Severe Winter Disruption

Jan 12, 2026 22:37 PM
Aircraft parked on snowy runway under winter sky

Weather Warning Grounds Loganair Flights Across Scotland

Jan 11, 2026 16:20 PM
Passport control sign at a European airport

EES Expansion Triggers Calls to Ease Border Bottlenecks

Jan 10, 2026 03:37 AM