Private aviation
Private jet chauffeurs, timed to the aircraft
Passengers flying privately spend minutes, not hours, at the airport. The car has to be there before the aircraft is, at the right terminal building, with a chauffeur who knows how business aviation works and says nothing about who is travelling.
A private flight changes the shape of an airport transfer. There is no queue at passport control to absorb a late car, no baggage reclaim, often no terminal crowd at all. A passenger can step off the aircraft and be at the car within ten minutes. That leaves no margin for a chauffeur who is still on the M25. Timing, local knowledge and discretion are the whole service.
This page covers the airports and terminals we serve, what we need to know, how the handover with the handling agent works and which car suits which trip.
Which airports?
The three dedicated business aviation airports around London: London Biggin Hill in the south-east, Farnborough in Hampshire, and RAF Northolt in west London, which accepts some civil business flights through its civil enclave. We also serve the fixed-base operators, or FBOs, at Luton, Stansted and London City, where private aircraft use separate terminals from scheduled flights.
What we need from you
The airport, the handling agent or FBO, the aircraft’s tail registration if you have it, the planned arrival time, the number of passengers and bags, and a contact number for the passenger or their assistant. The tail registration lets us follow the flight; private aircraft do not always appear under a flight number in the way airline flights do.
Timing
The chauffeur arrives at the terminal building well before the planned landing and checks in with the handling agent. Private flights often leave early or late at short notice, so tell us if the plan changes; the agent usually tells us too. The waiting time is part of the service, and the chauffeur will stay until the passengers arrive.
How the handover works
At a business aviation terminal, the handling staff meet the aircraft, bring the passengers through a short customs and immigration check where needed, and deliver them to the lounge or the front door. The chauffeur waits there, not on the apron. At some airports and with some handlers, a car may be allowed airside to meet the aircraft directly; that depends on the airport’s rules and must be arranged by the handling agent in advance.
Discretion
No name board unless you ask for one. No conversation about who is travelling, where they are going or where they have been. No social media, no photographs. Chauffeurs working at business aviation terminals are used to high-profile passengers and security teams, and they follow the passenger’s lead.
Which car?
For one or two principals, the Mercedes S-Class is the usual choice, or the E-Class for a practical business trip. For a group, or principals with staff and luggage, the V-Class seats six in comfort. When there are many bags, a second vehicle can carry them, timed to arrive with the passengers.
Biggin Hill to central London
Biggin Hill is in the London Borough of Bromley, about 18 miles from Westminster by road. The drive takes a little under an hour off-peak, through south-east London. It is the closest dedicated business aviation airport to the City and Canary Wharf.
Farnborough to central London
Farnborough is in Hampshire, about 40 miles from Westminster via the M3. The drive takes a little over an hour off-peak. It is convenient for Surrey, Berkshire and west London, and for the estates and golf clubs around Wentworth and Sunningdale.
Northolt
RAF Northolt is a military airfield in west London with a civil enclave for business aviation. It is the closest of all to central London for many addresses, at about 40 minutes to Westminster off-peak. Civil access is controlled; follow the handling agent’s instructions for the passenger’s arrival.
Onward travel and multi-stop days
Many private visitors spend one day in London and fly out the same evening. For that, the same car and chauffeur can stay with the passenger for the day, moving between meetings and returning to the airport. See hourly hire for how that works.
Luggage and equipment
Private passengers often travel with more luggage than airline passengers: golf bags, ski equipment, garment carriers for events, and sometimes cases of documents or equipment for business. Tell us what is expected. If it will not fit in the principal’s car, we can send a V-Class to follow and deliver the luggage directly to the hotel or residence, so the passenger does not wait while it is loaded.
Departures by private jet
For a departure, give us the scheduled departure time, the handling agent and the number of passengers and bags. We plan to arrive at the terminal building with time for the handler’s checks, which are usually brief. The chauffeur unloads directly into the handler’s care. If the departure time changes, the handler usually tells us; a message from you is always welcome.
Which car?
Choose by luggage first
| Party | People | Large cases | Our suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|
| One traveller | 1 | 1 | Mercedes E-Class |
| A couple | 2 | 2 | Mercedes E-Class |
| Three, light luggage | 3 | 2 | Mercedes E-Class |
| Three, holiday luggage | 3 | 4 | Mercedes V-Class |
| A family of four | 4 | 4 | Mercedes V-Class |
| Six travellers | 6 | 6 | Mercedes V-Class |
| A group of eight | 8 | 8 | 2 × V-Class |
| A party of twelve | 12 | 12 | 2 × V-Class |
In every fare
What the price includes
- 01
Flight tracking
The chauffeur follows your flight number, so an early landing or a delay moves the pickup with it.
- 02
Meet and greet
Your chauffeur waits in arrivals with a board showing your name, and takes the bags from there.
- 03
A fixed price
Agreed when you book. Traffic, a longer route on the day or a late landing do not change it.
- 04
Parking and drop-off
Airport drop-off and short-stay parking charges are part of the price, not added afterwards.
- 05
A route from live traffic
The chauffeur checks the roads before setting off and picks the line that is moving.
How to book
Three steps to the kerb
- 01
Plan the journey
Choose the airport and the address. The planner gives the distance and the drive time at the hour you travel.
- 02
Book ahead
Reserve with your flight number, terminal and a contact number. The price is fixed at that point.
- 03
Meet your chauffeur
Your chauffeur follows the flight and waits in arrivals with your name on a board.
What else we do
Other services
Airport transfers
Arrivals and departures at every London airport: flight tracked, met inside the terminal, fixed fare.
Read moreCruise transfers
Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth, Harwich and Tilbury, in a car sized for cruise luggage.
Read moreBusiness travel
Visiting clients, board members and staff, arranged and invoiced cleanly.
Read moreWeddings
The couple, the family and the guests, timed to the ceremony and the reception.
Read moreEvents
Wimbledon, Ascot, Twickenham, Wembley, the O2 and ExCeL, with a pickup planned for the end.
Read moreProms
A smart arrival at the school prom and a safe ride home, arranged with parents.
Read moreShopping
Knightsbridge, Bond Street, Westfield and Bicester Village, with the bags kept in the car.
Read moreSchool transfers
Boarding pupils between school and the airport at the start and end of every term.
Read moreHourly hire
One car and chauffeur for a day of meetings, visits or several stops.
Read moreJourney planner
Distance and time for any journey
Heathrow Westminster
- Distance
- 17miles
- Off-peak
- 36min
- Weekday rush
- 52min
Usual line: M4, A4. Chauffeurs choose on the day from live traffic.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Which private jet airports do you serve?
Biggin Hill, Farnborough and RAF Northolt, plus the FBOs at Luton, Stansted and London City.
Can the car drive to the aircraft?
Only where the airport and handling agent allow it, arranged in advance by the agent.
Do you need the tail number?
It helps us follow the flight. Give it to us if you have it.
Will the chauffeur hold a name board?
Not unless you ask for one.
Which car suits a principal?
Usually the Mercedes S-Class.
What if the aircraft lands early?
The chauffeur arrives well before the planned time, and the handling agent keeps us informed.
How long from Biggin Hill to central London?
A little under an hour off-peak.
Can the chauffeur stay with us for the day?
Yes. Book hourly hire for the day and the return to the airport.
Can luggage follow in a separate car?
Yes. A V-Class can carry the bags directly to the hotel or residence, so the passenger does not wait while it is loaded.
Do you cover private departures as well as arrivals?
Yes. Give us the departure time, the handling agent and the number of passengers and bags.
How close is Northolt to central London?
About 15 miles, and around 40 minutes to Westminster off-peak.
Ready when you are
Your chauffeur, already waiting
A named chauffeur, a fixed price and a quiet car, at every London airport.