London Stansted

The quickest way to check in is online, 24 hours before your flight departs:

• Check in at Manage My Booking and print your boarding pass.
• Use the British Airways app to check in and download your boarding pass to your mobile device.

When you need to check in at the airport on the day of departure:

• If you are travelling in a group of more than nine people, please use a check-in kiosk or go to a check-in desk.
• If your child is travelling alone, or with you but on a separate booking, please go to a check-in desk.

Check-in desks open at 05:00 and close 45 minutes before your flight departs. Please check the information screens in the departures area to find the location of the desks.

If you have baggage to check in, drop it at a Bag Drop desk. Desks open two hours before the flight departure time.

If you are travelling with hand baggage only and have already checked in, you can go straight through security to the gate. If your hand baggage exceeds your allowance, you may need to check it in and charges may apply.

Check your hand baggage allowance.

Check your checked baggage allowance.

You must enter airport security at least 40 minutes before your flight departs.

Fast Track Security is available to:

• customers travelling in First, business (Club World) or business(Club Europe) (plus one guest)
• Executive Club Gold and Silver Members (plus one guest)
• oneworld^® Emerald and Sapphire members (plus one guest)

You need to be at the gate no later than 30 minutes before the flight departs. If we have your contact details, we will try to contact you when it is about to close but we can't delay the aircraft's departure to wait for late passengers.

You will notice a ‘Group’ number on your boarding pass which shows your boarding priority. Please be ready to board the aircraft when your group is called.

Find out your group for boarding

If you want to take advantage of pre-boarding or priority boarding, please arrive at the gate early.

Pre-boarding is available to:

• families with small children
• customers requiring disability or mobility assistance

Priority boarding is available to:

• customers travelling in business (Club Europe)
• British Airways Executive Club Gold, Silver and Bronze Members
• oneworld Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby members

If you arrive after your priority group has been called, you can use the priority lane to board at your leisure.

There is access to the Escape Lounge for eligible customers.

Find out everything you need to know about flight connections with British Airways, including travelling between London airports.

Flight connections

If you need additional help for your journey, e.g. for getting through the airport, boarding the aircraft, or reaching your onward travel connections, please let us know at least 48 hours before you travel at Manage My Booking and we can arrange this for you with London Stansted airport.

More about disability assistance

Travelling by car

London Stansted airport is situated just off the M11 at Junction 8a (if travelling from London) or Junction 8 (if travelling from the direction of Cambridge).

London Stansted airport by car

Travelling by taxi

24x7 Stansted are the official private transport provider to London Stansted airport.

You can reserve a taxi at the reservation desk in the International arrivals hall or contact 24x7 Stansted direct to make your booking.

Travelling by coach

National Express operates a network of services each day to and from London Stansted airport. Unlike other coach operators, National Express will take you between Stansted and London plus a number of towns and cities throughout the UK, making getting to the airport hassle-free.

• It's a safe, fast and reliable way to travel.
• Book your return tickets now to ensure a great fare or book an open ticket for more flexibility.

Find out more about National Express

When it comes to your travels, we understand how important it is to plan ahead. That’s why we’ve partnered with ParkVia to offer a wide range of parking options at UK and international airports, making it easier to reserve, park and jet off with peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for secure airport parking, the convenience of valet parking or an airport hotel with parking – we’re sure to have the right option to suit your travel needs.

• Collect 5 Avios per £1 spent when you pre-book parking

Find out more about parking and book

Once you have disembarked from the aircraft and are in the terminal building you will need to pass through passport control.

You can use the automatic ePassport gates if you have an eligible passport with a chip in it from one of the following countries:UK, EU, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America.

After passport control, follow the arrivals signs to the baggage reclaim area and check the information screens to find the correct carousel.
Baggage trolleys are provided in the reclaim hall and other key areas around the terminal building.

Once you have your baggage, you may need to pass through customs. You can find more information on allowances and restrictions on the GOV.UK website.