The Heli Shuttle from London Biggin Hill

Why it is on the list

Biggin Hill is the only dedicated business aviation airport in London.¹ The shuttle is flown for the airport by Castle Air from a fleet of AgustaWestland 109 and 139 helicopters kept on the airfield, and it takes six minutes to The London Heliport, the shortest transfer from any London airport.² Because the helicopters are based at Biggin Hill, very short notice requests can be flown.² A chauffeured car takes the passenger from the heliport to a home, office or hotel.³ The private terminal has direct ramp access for helicopter transfers and is co-located with UK Border Force, so clearance and the change from jet to helicopter happen in one place.⁴

It is the wrong choice when the weather is poor: the operator cancels without charge when it judges a flight unsafe, and the captain has the final word on timings and destinations.⁵ The airport keeps set hours, 06:30 to 23:00 on weekdays and 08:00 to 22:00 at weekends and on public holidays.¹ For a landing west of London, the private terminal at Farnborough Airport is the alternative.

How to get it

Book through the London Heli Shuttle team at Castle Air on +44 1959 576 017 or shuttle@castleair.co.uk, or through the enquiry form on the shuttle's site.³⁶ Ask for the London Heli Shuttle to The London Heliport and name the aircraft: a transfer is a fixed £2,400 plus VAT in the AW109 and £3,300 with no VAT in the larger-cabin AW139.² Arriving by private jet, the Biggin Hill Executive Handling team (+44 1959 578 552, handling@bigginhillairport.com) coordinates the helicopter transfer from the ramp.⁴

Cancellation costs 10% of the charter price inside seven days, 25% inside 48 hours, 50% inside 24 hours and the full price for a no-show; around Royal Ascot, Cheltenham, the Derby, the British Grand Prix and similar events it is 75% at once.⁵ The heliport slot fee is £50 plus VAT and not refundable, and a helicopter kept on the ground at Battersea for more than 15 minutes is charged at £350 plus VAT an hour.⁵ Sporting weapons must be declared and approved in advance.⁵

Discretion

Passengers pass through the airport's private terminal, where Border Force clearance is on site and ground and helicopter transfers leave straight from the ramp.⁴ From the heliport a chauffeured car drives the passenger to the final address.³