Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is the principal airport serving West Yorkshire, handling around 4 million passengers per year. Located at Yeadon, it sits 8 miles north of Leeds city centre and 6 miles east of Bradford, making it genuinely convenient for West Yorkshire's large population without the journey to Manchester.
easyJet is the largest operator with over 30 routes, covering both leisure and business destinations. Jet2, which is headquartered in Leeds, is a major leisure operator at its home airport with strong package holiday routes to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Atlantic coast. Ryanair, TUI and Wizz Air complete the roster. Together they cover the main European leisure destinations and key business hubs including Amsterdam and Dublin.
A single terminal serves all flights. The airport's passenger experience has been a consistent talking point — the departure lounge has limited capacity at peak times, but ongoing investment programmes aim to address this. The 1903 Lounge provides a premium pre-departure option. A much-discussed rail link to the city has planning support but no confirmed construction date as of 2026.
Single terminal
⚠️ At peak summer departure times, security queues can build early in the morning — allow at least 2.5 hours before departure.
Most popular routes
Leeds Bradford Airport FAQs
For most Yorkshire residents, LBA is the better choice for short-haul European flights — it avoids the 45–60 minute motorway drive to Manchester and M62 traffic. LBA has a strong roster of European leisure and business routes covering the destinations most Yorkshire passengers need. Manchester wins on long-haul routes and has a direct rail link. For summer sun holidays, LBA saves time, stress and parking costs.
No direct rail link currently exists — this is the airport's most frequently cited limitation. The Metro 757 First Leeds Bradford bus runs to both Leeds and Bradford city centres in 40–50 minutes for £4. Taxi: £20 from Leeds, £15 from Bradford. A rail link has been proposed and has planning support but no confirmed construction date as of 2026.
easyJet (30+ routes — the largest operator), Ryanair, Jet2 (major leisure operator, Leeds-headquartered), TUI and Wizz Air. Together they cover the main European leisure destinations plus key business hubs Amsterdam and Dublin.
Yes — the 1903 Lounge (named after the year the airport was established) is airside and open to all passengers for a fee, regardless of airline or ticket class. Pre-booking online is cheaper than door rates. The lounge offers food, drinks, comfortable seating and Wi-Fi.
easyJet offers more routes and more booking flexibility, plus lower base fares on many routes. Jet2 specialises in Mediterranean and Canaries package holidays, includes checked luggage in fares, and operates from its home airport at LBA — making it very strong for inclusive holiday bookings. For a standalone flight: easyJet. For a package including hotel: Jet2 is very competitive.
Metro 757 First Leeds Bradford bus: 40–50 minutes, approximately £4. Taxi: £20, 25–35 minutes. Rideshare (Uber/Bolt): similar to taxi. No direct rail — Leeds station is 8 miles away.
Metro 757 bus to Bradford: 30–40 minutes, approximately £4. Taxi: £15, 20–30 minutes. The airport is closer to Bradford than to Leeds at approximately 6 miles east of Bradford city centre.
Arrive at least 2 hours before departure for short-haul European flights. During peak summer Saturday morning departures (the busiest period at LBA), allow 2.5–3 hours — security queues can build at popular departure windows. Check-in desks close 60 minutes before departure on most airlines.
Leeds Bradford Airport Terminal
Single terminal handling all arrivals and departures.
| Check-in | Opens 2–3 hours before departure · ground floor desks |
| Security | Single area · can queue in peak summer · allow 2.5h at busy times |
| Departures | Airside · shops, restaurants, bars, WHSmith, Boots, duty-free |
| 1903 Lounge | Airside · open to all passengers · pre-book online for best rate |
| Arrivals | Ground floor · baggage reclaim · car hire desks |
| Car hire | Arrivals hall · Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, National |
Transport to Leeds Bradford Airport
| Metro 757 to Leeds | ~40–50 min · £4 · First Leeds Bradford · frequent service |
| Metro 757 to Bradford | ~30–40 min · £4 · First Leeds Bradford |
| Taxi to Leeds centre | ~25–35 min · approx £20 |
| Taxi to Bradford centre | ~20–30 min · approx £15 |
| Rideshare (Uber/Bolt) | ~25–35 min · approx £18–25 |
| Drive (A658/A65) | 8 miles north of Leeds · 6 miles east of Bradford |
| Train | No direct rail link currently — proposals exist but no build date confirmed |
Compare parking options
Pre-booking online can save up to 60% versus turning up without a reservation. Book early for summer weeks.
Airlines flying from LBA
Leeds Bradford Airport FAQs
For Yorkshire residents, LBA saves the 45–60 minute drive to Manchester and M62 traffic. Route coverage for the main European leisure destinations is solid. Manchester's advantage is long-haul routes and its direct rail link. For short-haul European holidays, LBA wins on convenience.
No — a much-discussed rail link has planning support but no confirmed build date as of 2026. Metro 757 bus serves Leeds (40–50 min, £4) and Bradford (30–40 min, £4). Taxis: £20 from Leeds, £15 from Bradford.
easyJet (30+ routes, largest operator), Ryanair, Jet2 (Leeds-headquartered, strong package holidays), TUI and Wizz Air. Amsterdam and Dublin are the key business routes. Alicante, Faro, Palma and Tenerife are the busiest leisure routes.
Yes — the 1903 Lounge is airside and open to all passengers. Pre-book online (£25–30) vs door prices (£45+). Food, drinks, Wi-Fi and comfortable seating included.
easyJet for standalone flights and flexibility. Jet2 for inclusive package holidays — it's based in Leeds, LBA is its home airport, and its inclusive baggage and service model suits family holidays well.
Metro 757 bus: 40–50 minutes, £4. Taxi: £20, 25–35 minutes. No direct rail. Rideshare services also operate the route.
Metro 757 bus: 30–40 minutes, £4. Taxi: £15, 20–30 minutes. The airport is closer to Bradford than Leeds.
Allow 2 hours minimum, or 2.5–3 hours on peak summer Saturday mornings when security queues can build. Check-in desks typically close 60 minutes before departure on most airlines.