STN · Solid low-cost hub with efficient transport links but suffers from peak congestion and average on-time performance.
LTN · London’s fourth airport done right for LCCs: one clear terminal, CT screening that leaves bags packed (still ≤100 ml), two Priority Pass lounges, and a ~32-minute Express+DART hop from St Pancras — with morning peaks and drop-off fees as the main gotchas.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
STN6.2
LTN7.6+1.4
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
STN8.0
LTN8.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
Still ≤100 ml liquids (not LHR/LGW 2 L rules)Early-morning security and lounge capacity spikes£9 drop-off ANPR (12 min) — pay by midnight next dayBook rail to “Luton Airport” or pay £4.90 DART separately
Free Wi-Fi
Stansted Express ~48 min — Advance or contactless, not Oyster
Rail ~48 min to Liverpool Street; Advance from £9.90; contactless PAYG yes; Oyster no.
Still 100 ml — no bag, liquids can stay packed
Classic 100 ml still in force (Apr 2026). Fast Track is queue only, not 2 L.
Essence and Emirates are Sat 1 / gates 1–19 only
Sat 1 only — Ryanair/easyJet cannot use Essence or the EK lounge.
LTN
No1 Lounge & My LoungeCT Security + Fast TrackSanfords & high-street F&BLuton Airport WIFIAssisted Travel LoungeKids area & Quiet Room
Book rail to “Luton Airport” — DART is included
Express + DART from £10 advance / ~32′; DART alone £4.90; coach from ~£7.
Leave liquids in bag — still pack ≤100 ml
CT leave-in-bag screening; still ≤100 ml; Fast Track from £4.
Two PP lounges airside — pre-book or risk a turnaway
No1 (from £40) + My Lounge (from £38); both on PP — pre-book peaks.
