The short answer
Helicopter charter Cheltenham uses Gloucestershire Airport at Staverton, 3.9 nautical miles from the racecourse, and the racecourse helipad on race and event days only, arranged with the venue. Staverton to central London takes about 40 to 50 minutes by helicopter and 2 hours 21 minutes by road; Staverton to Birmingham about 20 to 25 minutes.
Flying from Cheltenham? Tell us where and when; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Airport
- Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton, Cheltenham (EGBJ / GLO); 1,432 m runway; light and mid-size jets
- Airport hours (as published, checked 29 Sep 2026)
- Weekdays 08:30 to 19:30; Sat and Sun 09:00 to 18:00 (winter) or 09:00 to 19:30 (summer); out of hours with surcharge, 24 hours notice
- Airport rules
- Strict prior permission and slot booking; handling mandatory over 3 tonnes, commercial movements and international arrivals; customs by arrangement
- Racecourse helipad
- Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road; race and event days only; booked and briefed in advance
- Helipad timing
- No landings within 30 minutes of the first race; no take-offs until 30 minutes after the last race, except by permission of the Clerk of the Course
- Race-day tickets
- Required on arrival
Where Cheltenham flights start and end
The map shows Gloucestershire Airport and the other sites that serve Cheltenham, with range rings and the nearest cities. Pins with a page of their own are links.
The map draws a satellite picture, so it needs JavaScript and an internet connection. Gloucestershire Airport is at Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Open it in Google Maps.
Gloucestershire Airport (Staverton)
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Sites that serve Cheltenham
Hours, permission and customs are the airport's or site's published information, checked 29 Sept 2026. We arrange permission and confirm times with your booking.
Gloucestershire Airport (Staverton) EGBJ / GLO
- Address
- Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
Weekdays 08:30–19:30 local; Sat–Sun 09:00–18:00 (winter) / 09:00–19:30 (summer). Flights outside these hours subject to…
Weekdays 08:30–19:30 local; Sat–Sun 09:00–18:00 (winter) / 09:00–19:30 (summer). Flights outside these hours subject to ATC and fire service availability with surcharges – extension requests at least 24 hours ahead.- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- By arrangement / prior notice (as airport hours; GAR online; international arrivals must use a)
- Runway
- 08/26 – 1,432 m × 30 m asphalt (grooved); 03/21 – 980 m
Cheltenham Racecourse Helipad
- Address
- Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
Race and event days only. No landings within 30 minutes of the first race and no take-offs until 30 minutes after the…
Race and event days only. No landings within 30 minutes of the first race and no take-offs until 30 minutes after the last race, except by permission of the Clerk of the Course- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
All landings booked and briefed in advance through the helipad company – arranged by Charter-A with your flight. Race-day tickets are required on arrival. Movements are held around race times.
Map position is approximate.
Gloucestershire Airport at Staverton
Helicopter charter Cheltenham starts at Staverton, between Cheltenham and Gloucester. The 1,432 metre runway takes light and mid-size business jets. Weekday hours are 08:30 to 19:30; at weekends 09:00 to 18:00 in winter and 09:00 to 19:30 in summer. Flights outside these times depend on ATC and fire service availability and carry surcharges, with extension requests at least 24 hours ahead.
The airport is strictly prior permission, in addition to any flight plan, with a slot booking system. Handling is mandatory for aircraft over 3 tonnes, for commercial movements and for international arrivals. Customs is by arrangement and a General Aviation Report is filed online.
Journey times from Gloucestershire Airport
The nearest places first, with the helicopter time against the car, taken from our route data.
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 3.9 nm (4 mi) | 10 to 10 min | 13 min (6 mi) | About the same |
| Oxford | 32 nm (36 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 10 min (45 mi) | 47 min |
| Birmingham | 37 nm (43 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 11 min (57 mi) | 48 min |
| Bristol | 37 nm (43 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 09 min (52 mi) | 46 min |
| Silverstone | 44 nm (51 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 40 min (70 mi) | 1 h 12 min |
| Cardiff | 53 nm (61 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 43 min (82 mi) | 1 h 10 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 63 nm (72 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 45 min (87 mi) | 1 h 10 min |
| Southampton | 64 nm (74 mi) | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 57 min (93 mi) | 1 h 19 min |
| London Heathrow | 68 nm (79 mi) | 35 to 45 min | 1 h 57 min (100 mi) | 1 h 17 min |
| London | 78 nm (90 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 21 min (112 mi) | 1 h 36 min |
| Epsom Downs | 79 nm (91 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 17 min (113 mi) | 1 h 32 min |
| Goodwood | 82 nm (94 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 32 min (127 mi) | 1 h 47 min |
| London Gatwick | 86 nm (99 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 33 min (131 mi) | 1 h 48 min |
| Manchester | 88 nm (101 mi) | 40 to 55 min | 2 h 35 min (119 mi) | 1 h 47 min |
| Cambridge | 89 nm (102 mi) | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 44 min (137 mi) | 1 h 54 min |
| Liverpool | 90 nm (103 mi) | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 41 min (137 mi) | 1 h 51 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 97 nm (112 mi) | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 51 min (145 mi) | 2 h 01 min |
| Aintree Racecourse | 99 nm (114 mi) | 45 to 60 min | 2 h 43 min (145 mi) | 1 h 50 min |
| Leeds | 120 nm (138 mi) | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 30 min (180 mi) | 2 h 27 min |
| York Racecourse | 129 nm (149 mi) | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 23 min (183 mi) | 2 h 15 min |
| Norwich | 135 nm (155 mi) | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 58 min (199 mi) | 2 h 50 min |
| Newcastle | 190 nm (218 mi) | 85 to 105 min | 5 h 12 min (267 mi) | 3 h 37 min |
| Edinburgh | 247 nm (284 mi) | 1 h 45 min to 2 h 10 min | 6 h 23 min (338 mi) | 4 h 25 min |
Times from Cheltenham Racecourse Helipad
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | 28 nm (32 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 02 min (42 mi) | 39 min |
| Birmingham | 34 nm (39 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 14 min (57 mi) | 51 min |
| Silverstone | 40 nm (46 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 32 min (67 mi) | 1 h 04 min |
| Bristol | 40 nm (46 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 14 min (55 mi) | 46 min |
| Cardiff | 57 nm (65 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 47 min (85 mi) | 1 h 14 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 60 nm (69 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 45 min (85 mi) | 1 h 10 min |
| Southampton | 64 nm (73 mi) | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 57 min (92 mi) | 1 h 19 min |
| London Heathrow | 66 nm (75 mi) | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 51 min (86 mi) | 1 h 13 min |
| London | 75 nm (87 mi) | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 16 min (98 mi) | 1 h 36 min |
| Epsom Downs | 77 nm (88 mi) | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 17 min (107 mi) | 1 h 34 min |
| Goodwood | 80 nm (93 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 32 min (125 mi) | 1 h 47 min |
| London Gatwick | 84 nm (97 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 32 min (125 mi) | 1 h 47 min |
| Cambridge | 85 nm (97 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 37 min (132 mi) | 1 h 52 min |
| Manchester | 87 nm (100 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 37 min (119 mi) | 1 h 52 min |
Helicopter figures are typical block times: distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range. Road figures are free-flowing road times, a floor that real journeys rarely beat. Distances are in a straight line. Figures from our UK route data, checked 29 Sep 2026.
Landing at the racecourse on race days
The racecourse helipad is used on race and event days only. Landings are booked and briefed in advance through the helipad company, and we arrange them with your flight. Landing at the racecourse is arranged with the venue and is subject to landing permission and site suitability. Race-day tickets are required on arrival, and movements are held around race times: no landings in the 30 minutes before the first race, and no take-offs until 30 minutes after the last, except by permission of the Clerk of the Course.
During The Festival in March the helipad receives 350 to 400 flights over four days, so slots are tight; confirm dates with the organiser and book early. Our Cheltenham racing event page goes into the day itself, and horse racing by helicopter covers other courses.
Helicopter against road from Staverton
Typical helicopter block times against free-flowing road times:
- Staverton to the racecourse: about 10 minutes, against 13 minutes by road.
- Staverton to Birmingham: about 20 to 25 minutes, against 1 hour 11 minutes.
- Staverton to Bristol: about 20 to 25 minutes, against 1 hour 9 minutes.
- Staverton to Silverstone: about 25 to 30 minutes, against 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Staverton to Heathrow: about 35 to 45 minutes, against 1 hour 57 minutes.
- Staverton to central London: about 40 to 50 minutes, against 2 hours 21 minutes.
The hop to the racecourse itself saves little: the helicopter earns its keep on the longer legs. Read helicopter against car journey times.
Business and hospitality in Cheltenham
Cheltenham has a strong professional-services, technology community and sits on the edge of the Cotswolds, so executives and clients commute in from Birmingham, Bristol and London. Corporate hosts take guests to the Festival and to the other fixtures at the course, and use Staverton to avoid the Festival traffic. See the Cotswolds page, Oxford and Bristol for neighbouring options.
Booking checklist
Give us the date, whether you want the racecourse or the airport, passenger numbers and weights. We check Staverton's slot system, apply for the racecourse slot and send one quote. Arrive 10 minutes before departure; soft bags where the hold is small. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. See the South West England region page and the price guides for planning.
Nearby airfields and heliports
Other sites close to Gloucestershire Airport, with the distance in nautical miles. Chips with a link open that site's own page.
Frequently asked questions
Can a helicopter land at Cheltenham Racecourse?
On race and event days only, arranged with the venue and booked in advance. Landing is subject to landing permission and site suitability.
How far is Staverton from the racecourse?
About 3.9 nautical miles, a flight of around 10 minutes or 13 minutes by road.
Do I need a ticket to use the helipad?
Race-day tickets are required on arrival.
What are the helipad timing rules?
No landings within 30 minutes of the first race and no take-offs until 30 minutes after the last, except by permission of the Clerk of the Course.
How many helicopters use the Festival helipad?
The airport library records 350 to 400 flights over the four days of the Festival, so book early.
Does Staverton have customs?
By arrangement in airport hours, with a General Aviation Report filed online. International arrivals must use a handling agent.
