A Guide to the South West’s Airports

South West England has fewer airports than London, but several key ones serve the region. Discover which airports you can fly into today. 

Bristol Airport (BRS)

Bristol is the big one. It’s the busiest airport in the South West, with millions of passengers yearly. 

You’ll find it about eight miles south-west of the city centre, with regular buses running to Bristol Temple Meads station if you need to connect to trains. Most of the UK’s budget airlines fly from here, including easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2, alongside TUI and others. There are even options for those arriving by private jet!

That means you can get direct flights to many European cities, plus UK routes to Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are minimal flights outside Europe; you must go to Birmingham or London. 

The terminal isn’t massive, but it has everything you need: cafés, bars, duty-free shops, car hire and hotels nearby. 

Bristol is usually the easiest airport if you’re visiting or are from Bath, Somerset or even Devon and Gloucestershire!

Exeter Airport (EXT)

Exeter Airport is much smaller, but that can be a good thing! It’s only four miles from Exeter city centre, and right by the A30, so it’s easy to reach by road.

Inside, there’s one terminal with a café, bar and car hire desks. TUI bases some of its holiday flights here, and you’ll also find Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Loganair. 

The routes cover sun destinations like Greece and Spain, and UK connections to places such as Belfast, Edinburgh, and the Channel Islands.

If you’re heading to East or South Devon, Dartmoor, or even north Cornwall, Exeter is the handiest option. 

Despite living in Exmouth, I’ve never actually flown from here; it only serves a handful of non-UK destinations, and prices are often much higher than in Bristol.

Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY)

Cornwall Airport Newquay is about four miles from the town, simplifying travel into Cornwall.

The airport itself is pretty small, but it’s been growing steadily. It’s even home to Spaceport Cornwall, which has been involved in satellite launches.

Flights connect to London, Manchester and Dublin year-round, with summer routes to European holiday spots like Faro, Malaga and Düsseldorf. 

Facilities are modest; you’ll find a café, bar, car hire and a small shop, but that’s part of the appeal: you’ll usually get through quickly.

This is the airport to aim for if you want to stay anywhere in Cornwall. 

Land’s End Airport (LEQ)

Land’s End Airport is tiny, but it has one specific purpose: linking the mainland with the Isles of Scilly. It’s near St Just, at the very tip of Cornwall.

The Skybus service runs short flights to St Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly. The “terminal” is little more than a waiting room with a café, but it does the job!

If you’re staying in Cornwall itself, you won’t really fly here; it’s mainly for people heading to the islands.

St Mary’s Airport, Isles of Scilly (ISC)

If you fly to the Isles of Scilly, you’ll land at St Mary’s. The airport is just outside Hugh Town and is small even by regional standards.

Facilities are fundamental, with a café, toilets and taxis, but that’s fine given the size of the place. Flights link to Land’s End, Exeter and Newquay, so you can choose the mainland departure point that suits your wider travel plans.

For anyone spending time on the Isles of Scilly, this is the most straightforward way to arrive (unless you prefer the ferry from Penzance).

South West Air Travel

The South West doesn’t have dozens of airports, but between Bristol, Exeter and Newquay you’re well covered for various trips, and London and Birmingham aren’t too far away!