Last updated at 0930hrs on 17th July 2024

Changes to our Drop Off Options

 

Express Drop Off
A new Express Drop Off zone will be opening on 16th July 2024 at London Luton Airport. The introduction of Express Drop Off provides an even more convenient option for passengers looking to be briefly dropped off directly in front of the terminal entrance.

Express Drop Off operates as a cashless and barrier-free system. It is available 24 hours a day and costs £5.00 for a five-minute stay and £1.00 per minute thereafter (up to a maximum stay of 20 minutes). Customers using Express Drop Off have until midnight the following day to pay their fee.

Please note that access to the Express Drop Off zone may be restricted during peak times.

Getting dropped off or picked up

The drop off / pick up zone is now operating out of the Mid-stay car park. There is a short 10-minute walk to/from the terminal building or there is shuttle bus operating between the mid stay car park and the terminal building (Bus Bay A).

Delays are expected so please drop passengers off promptly and exit as soon as possible. No charges are in place for this service.

 

Alternative Drop Off Options

 

There are several alternative ways to drop off at LLA. 

  • Drop Off Zone at Mid Stay Car Park - 7 to 10 mins walk to the LLA terminal /or shuttle bus transfer, free of charge

Best for: those looking to drop-off/pick-up for free 

  • Long Stay Car Park – 10 mins transfer to the LLA terminal via free shuttle bus

Best for: those needing a little longer 

 

Please ensure that you allow additional time for your journey if you plan to use Express Drop Off, as demand is likely to be high during busier periods.

 

Pick Up Zones

 

Free of charge pick up zones are available in LLA’s Mid Stay and Long Stay car parks.

Information specifically for Blue Badge Holders or require special assistance

Dropping off and picking up for Blue badge holders or require special assistance

If you are a registered Blue Badge holder you can now Drop off and Pick up passengers in the Express Drop Off Zone located just outside the terminal front.

 

This is the closest point to drop off to the terminal should you require assistance or have reduced mobility, please follow signs to the Express Drop Off Zone. There are no concessions for blue badge holders in our Express Drop Off Zone, however, you can still benefit from 30 minutes free drop off and pick up in Terminal Car Park 1, on presentation of a blue badge. For more information click here.

 

For passengers with a blue badge wishing to drop off and pick up in Mid Stay Car Park, we have a dedicated bus service which will run throughout the day from bus bay A in the Mid Stay Car Park and on return from opposite bus bay T, outside the terminal building.

 

If you are unable to find the dedicated service, please call 01582 395270 for further assistance.

 

Parking for the duration of your holiday

 

We recommend parking in Terminal Car Park 1 to benefit from reduced rates and ease of access. However, if you wish to use an alternative Car Park, we have blue badge spaces in all our Car Parks and both the Mid Stay and Long Stay Car Parks are serviced by fully accessible shuttle buses, however you won’t benefit from reduced rates in these Car Parks. 

Car park capacity

There is currently limited car park availability, customers must pre-book car parking prior to getting to the airport, with the exception of the Long Stay car park where you can pay on the day rates. 

Passengers who do not pre-book will not be allowed to enter the car park and may be directed to alternative car parks off site. If there is no availability for your chosen date, please use alternative public transport or local car parks.

There is alternative parking available at:

Luton Airport Parkway, 1.2 miles, post code LU1 3JW, information can be found here and limited prebooking is available via this link

Luton Midland Road, 2.1 miles, postcode LU1 2LT.

Leagrave. 5.6 miles, postcode LU4 9BA

St Albans Victoria Street, 12.3 miles, postcode AL1 5HE

By Train or DART - Train services to London and the North continue to run as expected and the DART shuttle which runs between Luton Airport Parkway.

By bus or coach - Bus and coaches continue to operate outside the front of the terminal building.

Drop off and Pick up

The drop off / pick up zone is now operating out of the Mid-stay car park. There is a short 10-minute walk to/from the terminal building or there is shuttle bus operating between the mid stay car park and the terminal building (Bus Bay A).

Delays are expected so please drop passengers off promptly and exit as soon as possible. No charges are in place for this service.

Reduced Mobility / Blue Badge Holders

Passengers with reduced mobility should clearly display their blue badge on approach to the airport and proceed to Terminal Car Park 1 to be dropped off or park.

If you require assistance getting to or from the terminal building please advise a member of staff who will direct you to a shuttle service.

Insurance Claims - An ABI spokesperson said:
“Insurers continue to do all they can to help their customers affected by the fire at Luton Airport. We’ve worked with the airport and fellow industry body the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to obtain and share the number plates of the vehicles in the car park, and our members are in contact with their customers. They’re doing all they can to pay any claims as quickly as possible.
“Many insurers have been covering the costs of their customers’ journeys home from the airport, and some have also said they will waive policy excesses or that claims from the fire will not impact no claims discounts. If you have been affected by the fire, speak to your insurer to see what support is available.

 
“We’re working with Luton Airport and salvage operators on the ground to determine next steps, including whether it will be possible to recover any personal belongings. The car park has suffered extensive damage and it remains the case that no one will be able to enter the building unless it has been deemed safe. We appreciate that the uncertainty may be frustrating and we continue to work with Luton Airport, the MIB, and salvage operators to understand the situation, prioritising safety at all times, and to make sure customers are updated in a timely manner.” 

Frequently Asked Questions


What should I do if my car is in the car park? 
If your car is in the car park, you should notify your motor insurer. Insurers should now have access to most of the number plates of the vehicles that were in the car park and can advise whether your vehicle has been affected.
The fire service and authorities are working to ascertain the extent of this damage, and to determine at what point it will be safe to enter the car park. 
 

What processes do insurers have in place to determine whether my car has been damaged or if it can be recovered? 
We and our members are working with Luton Airport, the car park operator and vehicle recovery specialists to ascertain, as quicky as possible, whether customers cars have been affected.  
We have worked with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to get the number plates of the vehicles in the car park and have shared these with our members, who are contacting customers as quickly as possible. If you suspect that your vehicle may have been damaged in the fire, speak to your insurer to see what support is available. 
The safety of all involved is paramount. Insurers are working with the appropriate teams to determine if / when it will be possible to access the vehicles and assess damage.  
 

My car is in the car park but may not have been damaged, what will my insurance cover?  
Insurers are working with Luton Airport, the car park operator and vehicle recovery specialists to understand which vehicles can be recovered. If your car is in the car park, speak to your insurer who can advise on what options are available. 
 

Will I get a courtesy car while mine is stuck or while my claim is being resolved? 
The offer of a courtesy car is a standard feature in most comprehensive car insurance policies and are subject to availability. 
Following the fire at the car park at Luton Airport, some insurers are offering a courtesy car even if they are not included in your policy. Speak to your insurer and they can advise which options are available. 
It is standard that courtesy cars are only provided when a vehicle can be repaired, not when they are written off or a total loss. However, some insurers will offer optional add-ons which can be used to request a courtesy car if your car is written off or stolen. 
 

How long will it take to assess the damage on my car? 
The car park has been structurally damaged so ensuring it is safe to access is rightly the first priority.  
It may take some time before vehicles can be accessed, assessed and/or recovered. Once the car park is safe to enter, insurers will do all they can to inspect the damage on any cars as quickly as possible.   
 

Will the possessions in my car be covered? 
Motor policies may offer some cover for possessions that have been damaged or destroyed in the vehicle, so check your policy for any cover and limits. 
It’s also worth being aware that your home contents policy may cover this as well. But you cannot claim twice under both policies. 
The car park has suffered extensive damage and engineers are currently conducting a structural assessment. Unless this building is deemed safe, it will not be possible for anyone to enter the building to assess the damage to vehicles or for individuals to retrieve personal belongings. 
 

Will an insurer cover my costs for travelling home from the airport? 
Some policies may cover the cost of travelling home. We would advise that you check with your insurer.  
 

If I have to claim on my insurance for this fire – what will happen to my no claims discount / will my insurance premium go up? 
Some insurers have said that a claim for damage as a result of the fire at the car park at Luton Airport will not impact customers’ no claims discount.  
We would recommend that you speak to your insurer to understand the impact of a claim. 
Under normal circumstances a no claim discount would be impacted by any claim. 
Further advice on the situation at the car park is also available on the Luton Airport website.

Reduced Mobility / Blue Badge Holders

Passengers with reduced mobility should clearly display their blue badge on approach to the airport and proceed to Terminal Car Park 1 to be dropped off or park.

If you require assistance getting to or from the terminal building please advise a member of staff who will direct you to a shuttle service.

Drop Off and Pick up

The drop off / pick up zone is now operating out of the Mid-stay car park. There is a short 10-minute walk to/from the terminal building or there is shuttle bus operating between the mid stay car park and the terminal building (Bus Bay A).

Delays are expected so please drop passengers off promptly and exit as soon as possible. No charges are in place for this service.

By train or DART

Train services to London and the North continue to run as expected and the DART shuttle which runs between Luton Airport Parkway.

By bus or coach

Bus and coaches continue to operate outside the front of the terminal building.

 

For all other enquiries, please call 0345 301 1151 or email luton.customerservices(at)apcoa.com

We would like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding