East Midlands Airport Travel Guide 2026

Post Author

Remitly’s editorial team is a global crew of writers and editors helping newcomers thrive in the UK and stay connected to home.

Key Highlights

See the main airlines like Jet2.com and Ryanair that fly from East Midlands Airport. You can get many flights to Europe with their busy flight schedules.
Find useful places when you travel, like Burger King and other shops on the ground floor.
Know how to get to the airport by bus or train, with links from East Midlands Parkway.
Look at the long history of the airport. It started with the RAF and now has Aeropark aviation museum.
Get advice for parking, special help services, and how to check live flight schedules and updates, so your trip goes well.
This guide gives all you need about travelling through East Midlands Airport in 2026.

Introduction

Are you getting ready for a trip through East Midlands Airport? You are in the right place for the help you need! This guide will help you get around the terminal in 2026. It does not matter if it is your first time or if you have done this before. Here, you will find the information you need for your travel to be easy.

You will know how to move through the terminal and where to find good places to eat. Use this as your main source for what you need to know when travelling by air at this big airport in the Midlands, UK.

East Midlands Airport Overview

East Midlands Airport is in Castle Donington, Leicestershire. It is owned by the Manchester Airports Group. The airport is an important travel spot for people in the East Midlands. Each year, it helps millions of passengers reach many places all over Europe.

This airport is not just for passengers. It is also the second busiest airport for sending and receiving goods in the United Kingdom. It plays a big role in moving things around the country. In the next parts, we will talk about where east midlands airport is and share some interesting facts about its past.

Location and Airport Code

East Midlands Airport sits in Castle Donington, which puts it close to some important counties. These are Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire. The airport is right in the middle of the region, so it is simple to get to from large cities like Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester. Each of these cities is less than 20 miles away.

If you need to book a flight or find out more, you will need the airport code. The three-letter IATA code for East Midlands Airport is EMA. Use this code to be sure you have the right flights and details for your trip.

Getting to the airport is even easier because there are big roads close by. You can also get there from the East Midlands Parkway railway station that is near the airport. This makes travelling to or from East Midlands very straightforward, whether you live close by or are coming from far away.

Brief History and Development

The story of East Midlands Airport starts in the Second World War. In 1943, the site was the home of RAF Castle Donington. It was made for training Royal Air Force bomber and transport crews as a backup airfield. When the war finished, they closed the station in 1946, ending its time as a military place.

In 1964, some local government agencies got together and bought the old airfield. They started a big project to turn it into a new airport for the public. The airport opened as East Midlands Airport in April 1965. It was ready for people in the Midlands to use.

Now, you can still see parts of that history. The Aeropark sits on the grounds and has old planes to look at. It also lets you watch the new airfield and brings together the story of Castle Donington’s past and present.

Airlines and Destinations

East Midlands Airport (EMA) in the Midlands is home to some of the well-known low-cost airlines in the United Kingdom. The airport has a good choice of places you can fly to in Europe. Most trips are short, so you can go for a holiday or visit a city.

If you want to relax on a warm beach or explore a new city, the flight schedules from East Midlands Airport give you lots of options. Here, you can see the main airlines that use EMA and find out which top spots you can go to from there.

Major Airlines Operating at East Midlands Airport

A number of well-known passenger airlines have made EMA their base. Low-cost carriers are particularly prominent, offering competitive prices in British pounds for flights to dozens of European hotspots. This makes the airport an excellent choice for budget-conscious travellers.

The airport is not just for passengers; it’s also a major cargo hub. Global logistics giants like DHL, FedEx, and UPS Airlines run significant operations from East Midlands Airport, connecting the UK with their worldwide networks.

Here are some of the main passenger airlines you can fly with from EMA:

Airline	Type
Jet2.com	Low-cost carrier
Ryanair	Low-cost carrier
TUI Airways	Charter airline
Aer Lingus	Flag carrier
SunExpress	Low-cost carrier

Top Domestic and International Destinations

From East Midlands Airport, you can fly to many top places. The flight schedules let you travel to lots of sunny spots, with places in Spain, Turkey, and Greece very popular. Planning your next trip is easy if you want some sun.

If you want a city break, you can also get flights to cities like Krakow, Prague, and Budapest. The airport gives you good links to different parts of the UK as well, and you can fly often to Belfast.

Here are some of the top places you can fly to from the heart of the midlands:

Alicante
Tenerife-South
Palma de Mallorca
Málaga
Dublin

Facilities and Passenger Services

East Midlands Airport has many great things to make sure your trip starts well. When you get to the terminal, you will find everything you need. There are ATMs for cash, places to help with your baggage, and staff ready to help you.

In the terminal, you will see lots of shops and places to eat. You can grab a quick snack or sit down for a meal before your flight. Now, let’s look at some of the lounges, shops, restaurants, and places for families that you can find at East Midlands.

Lounges, Shopping, and Dining Options

If you want a break before your flight, you can go to the Escape Lounge in the departure lounge. The lounge is quiet. It gives you free food and drinks. It is a good place to get away from the busy crowds in the terminal.

If you like to shop, there are some good choices. Stores like World Duty Free have things like cosmetics and sweets. You can also get travel items if you forgot anything at home. When you feel hungry, you have lots of places to eat. You can get fast food or take your time with a meal.

Popular dining spots include:

Burger King
Frankie & Benny’s
Pork & Pickle
Castle Rock
Starbucks

Special Assistance and Family Services

East Midlands Airport wants every passenger to have a good experience. There is a team ready to help travellers with reduced mobility and those who need extra support. If you need this service, you should book it with your airline at least 48 hours before you need it. This helps make sure the help is there when you get to the terminal.

Travelling with children at East Midlands is simple because of the family-friendly areas. There are baby changing rooms and toilets you can use with easy access on the ground floor and around the terminal. Security is also set up to help families with small children get through without too much trouble.

Other helpful things, like baggage wrapping and lockers, are found inside the terminal. You will find ATMs on the ground floor and in other places, so you can take out cash before your flight.

Getting To and From East Midlands Airport

Getting to East Midlands Airport is easy. The airport has good travel links, so you can come from Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, and other places in the Midlands. You can drive there or use public transport.

There are plenty of buses and coaches that go to the airport. The nearby East Midlands Parkway train station also connects you by rail. If you come by car, there are different car parks and places where you can drop people off. Below, we will go over the different ways to travel to the airport.

Public Transport Options (Train, Bus, Coach)

Using public transport can be an easy and green way to get to East Midlands Airport. The Skylink bus network runs all day and night, linking the airport with big places in the Midlands. You can travel to and from Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester at any time.

The closest train stop is East Midlands Parkway. It is about four miles from the airport. A special shuttle and taxis can take you from the station to the terminal. You can also use the train if you want, as this is a good choice for most people.

National Express coaches also go to the airport. These coaches connect you to even more cities around the UK. This option can save you money if you come from another area.

Key bus services include:

Skylink Derby
Skylink Nottingham
Skylink Express
My15 to Ilkeston

Parking Choices and Drop-off Facilities

If you are going to the airport by car, you will see there are many car parks you can choose from. These car parks are good for all needs and budgets. You can use short-stay parking if you only need to drop off someone quickly, or pick long-term parking if you plan to travel for some time. These official car parks are close to the terminal, so you will be near the check-in hall.

When you need to drop someone off at the airport, there is a special area for this. It is a short walk to the check-in hall from this drop-off spot. You have to pay a small fee to use this place. If you want a free option, you can take one of the long-stay car parks. There is a shuttle bus that will take you from there to the terminal.

You might want to stay in one of the nearby hotels. Many of these have park-and-fly deals. This can be a good way to make your trip easier, especially if you have to catch an early flight.

The main parking options are:

Short Stay
Mid Stay
Long Stay

Flight Information and Travel Tips

Keeping up with your flight schedules is important to make your travel day easy and smooth. East Midlands Airport (EMA) gives you simple access to check live updates on flight arrivals and departures right from their website.

Before you go to the east midlands airport, you should always check your flight status and know your baggage rules. Doing this helps you stay away from any last minute problems or extra charges in British pounds. Getting this info early will save you time and trouble at the airport in the midlands.

Checking Departures, Arrivals, and Live Updates

The best way to check your flight is to go to the official East Midlands Airport website. There you will find sections for both arrivals and departures with real-time updates. This helps you stay in the know at all times.

You will see live updates showing the time your flight is set to arrive or leave, the check-in desk, and the boarding gate. You can also find this information on screens all over the terminal when you get to the airport in the midlands.

Watching these updates is important, especially if you are picking up someone. It will help you get there at the right time.

To stay in the loop, you can:

Visit the airport’s official website for the latest flight news.
Ask your airline for the flight status.
Look for the big flight screens inside the terminal.

Conclusion

East Midlands Airport is a good choice for travellers. It has many airlines and places you can go. The airport gives you a lot of the things and services you need. There are lounges and spots to eat. All passengers can feel comfortable here. Whether you want to go within the country or outside, it helps to know about your travel options and flight updates. This is important for a smooth trip. As you get ready, remember to check for travel tips and news. It will help you have a better travel experience. Have a good trip from the midlands. If you have any questions or want help with your plans, don’t be afraid to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find cheap flights from East Midlands Airport?

To get cheap flights from East Midlands, you need to book ahead of time. It is good to be flexible about your travel days. Check the prices from low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Jet2.com. If you sign up for airline newsletters, you can get news about sales and offers. This can help you save British pounds when you travel from the Midlands.

Is there long-term parking available at East Midlands Airport?

Yes, East Midlands Airport has a few long-term car parks. The main car parks for long stays are good for when you go away for more than a few days. There is a free bus that takes you from the car park to the terminal. It is always best to book your parking online if you want to get the best prices.

You can keep up with East Midlands Airport by following their official accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. The airport team shares live updates, travel news, and what is going on at the terminal. This gives you up-to-date information from the midlands airport.