Revealed: the UK’s 10 quietest airports

Airports are not relaxing places. There’s no getting around it. Everythings expensive, there’s too many people, and you’re always in a rush. But it doesn’t need to be that way.

Plenty of airports are known for being chaotic and all around unpleasant to pass through, but what about those that are the opposite? Where are the calm, understated terminals? ‘They must be out there somewhere!’ I hear you cry as you haul your 10kg carry on bag through a throng of high-vis clad children. No need to fear, as the search is over. 

Using data from the Civil Aviation Authority, researchers at El Bella Villa and Online Marketing Surgery have been able to determine the quietest airports in the country, perfect for if you just can’t handle the bustle of Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester ever again.

Coming in first place, and officially the most chilled out airport in the country, was Humberside! Only 136,976 passengers travel through it each year. In comparison, Heathrow, the country’s busiest, sees more than 79 million people annually. That’s a big difference.

Next, becoming the de-facto option for low-stress Londoners was Southend, with just over 142,000 travellers per year. There is quite a jump from second to third, as Teesside International took the bronze with just over 226,000 visitors in a 12-month period.

The full list of the top ten best airports for those who like their personal space are as follows, including the number of passers-by they each get every year. 

The UK’s top 10 quietest airports

1. Humberside – 136,976
2. Southend – 146,072
3. Teesside International Airport – 226,557
4. Norwich – 357,852
5. Newquay – 408,870
6. Exeter – 433,067
7. Prestwick – 524,880
8. Isle Of Man – 638,619
9. Guernsey – 694,958
10. Southampton – 754,931

Enjoy your peaceful airport experience, people of Humberside. We’re happy for you and not jealous at all. We promise.

Transport in the UK

Travel may not always be pleasant, but there’s always more to say about it, such as new flights being launched from the UK, Manchester potentially getting a massive underground train network, and the latest information about ongoing strikes on Time Out’s national industrial action hub. 

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