Summary Airlink's helicopter shuttle service operated between Heathrow & Gatwick from 1978-1986, transporting passengers in 15 minutes at £12. British Airways Helicopters and British Caledonian Airways offered a helicopter service between London's busiest airports. Noise restrictions and the completion of the M25 led to the discontinuation of the air shuttle service in 1986.
London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are the busiest airports in the United Kingdom, welcoming thousands of passengers from around the world every day. Many airlines serve either Heathrow or Gatwick, while a few serve both. While access to these airports is just a flight away, getting between them is more challenging and time-consuming, requiring a journey by rail or road.
However, until about four decades ago, it was possible to transfer between the two hubs in 15 minutes with a helicopter shuttle service provided by Airlink and other predecessors. Let us explore how the service was operated. Accessing Gatwick from Heathrow London Heathrow Airport is 15 miles west of central London, while London Gatwick Airport is 30 miles south of London near Crawley in West Sussex.
The quickest and most efficient way to get from the airport to central London is to take the Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station. Trains depart every 15 minutes with a journey time of 15 minutes from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. From Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, add another five minutes.
Currently, there is no direct rail link betwee.