Essex planes

Airport Advice Overview

There are two airports located within the county of Essex. 

Stanstead Airport is 55km from the centre of London, and a hub for operators such as Ryanair, Jet2, Thomas Cook and EasyJet. Flights from Stanstead Airport travel to approximately 200 destinations.

Southend Airport is located on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. 

If you require any assistance at either airport, you should contact your airline or tour operator in advance to make arrangements. 

You can read the details for special assistance services at Stansted and Southend Airports below:

• Stanstead airport
• Southend airport

Key Tips 

When planning your flight, you may want to consider in advance:

• How you will travel to the airport and what arrangements you may need to make, such as booking a wheelchair-accessible taxi
• What equipment/mobility aids or support you may need upon arrival at the airport and during the flight
• Arranging Special Assistance at the time of booking your flight
• Wearing a sunflower lanyard to let airport staff know you have a less visible condition and may require additional assistance
• Whether you need to complete a Medical Device Awareness Card , if you are travelling with a hidden medical device 
• What arrangements you may need to make for onward travel once you have landed at your destination

Nearest airports

Stanstead Airport (Essex County)

Stansted airport website

Southend Airport (Southend-on-Sea, Essex)

Southend airport website

Special Assistance

If you require Special Assistance while at the airport, you should inform your airline, tour operator or travel agent at least 48 hours before you fly. 

It is best to give as much notice as possible both for your outbound and return journeys so the necessary arrangements can be made to give you the assistance you require.

Special Assistance information can be found below:

• Stanstead airport
• Southend airport

Your airline will pass on your Special Assistance booking prior to your arrival at the airport. If you arrive at the airport and have not booked in advance, all reasonable efforts will be made to assist you.

If you require assistance on arrival at the airport, you should locate the nearest call point to request this, and you will be assisted to your chosen method of check-in. 

Parking at Stanstead Airport

Parking can be booked online ahead of time or on the day pending availability. Booking ahead reduces costs.

Blue Badge parking at Stanstead Airport can be booked here. 

Short stay car park – Blue Badge parking is available in the orange and green zones

Mid stay car park – Blue Badge parking is available in Zone L, close to the bus pick-up shelter. A courtesy bus service operates to and from the terminal forecourt, and is fully accessible to wheelchair users. The driver can assist you on and off if required. Help points are located outside each revolving entry door at the terminal should you require a wheelchair or further assistance.

Long stay car park – Blue Badge parking is available, located a short bus ride from the terminal. The bus service is free of charge and fully accessible to wheelchair users. Blue Badge holders usually board the transfer bus before other passengers and are given seating priority and dedicated wheelchair points on board. Press the help button in the bus shelter to inform the controller that you require a transfer bus to the terminal.

Meet and Greet services are also available.

Parking at Southend Airport

Accessible parking is available 400m from the terminal entrance. 

If you need help getting to and from your car, you will need to pre-book with your airline. You then confirm your arrival at the car park on the day, by pressing the assistance button on the entrance barrier or at the pay-on-foot machine.

Information on Blue Badge parking can be found on the Southend Airport website. 

Travelling with mobility equipment 

If you are taking mobility equipment, such as a scooter or wheelchair, onto an aircraft, your airline must be advised in advance preferably at the time of booking. 

You should provide details to your airline, tour operator or travel agent which outline the dimension, weight, make and model.

You will be able to travel with your mobility aid from arrival at the airport up until the point of boarding the aircraft. 

The ground handling team will ensure your mobility aid is made safe for carriage on the plane and you or a person in your travelling party may be required to liaise with the team to ensure the mobility aid is immobilised.

You will be reunited with your mobility aid at the aircraft side after disembarking. 

In the unlikely event there is any damage to your mobility equipment, the airport’s Special Assistance team will make every effort to provide you with a temporary replacement.

Assistance dogs

You may take your assistance dog into the terminal with you. It is important to remember that guide dogs can only travel if they are registered with the Pet Travel Scheme and if allowed by your airline and holiday destination. 

For further information on travelling with an assistance dog, visit the Gov.uk website.