Change your airport, not your airline, to save money on flights

Major airports such as London Heathrow and New York JFK may be well connected, but they’re not the only runways in town. Seeking out smaller alternatives can mean flying for less.

For instance, everybody knows Heathrow, and many also know Gatwick, but did you know that four other major airports also serve the British capital? London’s City Airport , Southend, Stansted and Luton are all at your disposal – and choosing one airport over another could cut your airfare in half.

That’s partially because smaller airports play host to lower-cost airlines that shun the bigger hubs and their correspondingly higher fees. But some airlines also serve multiple airports in the same city, opening the door to savings – if you’re savvy enough to search.

Taking a London-Berlin flight? You could board British Airways from Heathrow or City Airport, Eurowings from Heathrow, Ryanair from Stansted, or EasyJet from Gatwick, Luton or Southend.

In November 2026, British Airways’ economy fares start at £90 ($172) from Heathrow but £80 from City Airport. In business class, Heathrow flights begin at £225, versus lead-in fares of £207 departing from City Airport. Even on the same airline, picking one airport over another can trim almost $35 from the ticket price. With the whole family in tow, it adds up.

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Fixed on Heathrow? Eurowings’ fares start at £59.99 in economy and £99.99 in business class on comparable dates. But broadening your search to Luton gains the option of EasyJet from £46.99. Ryanair goes one better from Stansted with starter fares from £32.79, which EasyJet trumps from Gatwick at £31.99. But on this route, Southend Airport wins the price war, with EasyJet flights from just £24.49 – all to the same destination (checked baggage not included).

The pattern is clear. Shopping around by airport, not only by airline, can make a big difference.

Sydney will get its own taste of the airport price wars when Western Sydney Airport (WSI) starts passenger operations from October 2026. By early 2027, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, QantasLink, Singapore Airlines and VietJet Air will all fly from WSI.

Those spending frequent flyer points also have a reason to consider both airports when making plans. Flights from one of Sydney’s airports may have reward seats available when those from the other airport do not. Even before launch, Singapore Airlines’ flights from WSI are proving easier to nab with points than those from Mascot – including those coveted seats in business class. The same can also be true of other airlines serving multiple airports in the same city.

Convenience can be the biggest trade-off with an airport swap. Secondary airports don’t always share the same transport links as the larger hubs, and often reside further away from the city centre , adding to travel times and taxi fares.

Western Sydney Airport is about 44 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, compared with about nine kilometres for Sydney International (Kingsford Smith) in Mascot.