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Nottingham to Leeds Bradford Airport: times, route and what to expect

About 75 miles up the M1 — roughly 1h 30min. A realistic guide to LBA transfers, its hilltop quirks and when to leave.

2026-02-24 · 4 min read

Leeds Bradford (LBA) is the highest airport in England and one of the most underrated for Nottingham travellers heading to Jet2 destinations.

Distance and drive time

Central Nottingham to LBA is about 75 miles — around 1h 30min via the M1 north to J42, then the M621 and A657 through north Leeds. In rush hour (7:30–9am) the Leeds ring road section can add 15–20 minutes, and we build that in.

The hilltop factor

LBA sits at 681 feet above sea level. Two practical consequences:

  • Wind and low cloud cause more weather disruption here than at most UK airports. In winter, morning fog delays are common — check your flight before leaving.
  • The final approach road is steep and slow; allow an extra 5 minutes over what the sat-nav says.

The new terminal

The terminal extension has transformed departures — bigger security hall, more seating. Security typically runs 15–30 minutes, longest 5–7am when the Jet2 charters bunch up.

When to leave

  • Jet2 / short-haul: pick-up 3h 30min before departure.
  • Add 15 minutes if you're travelling on a winter morning with fog forecast.

Why fly from LBA

Jet2's Leeds base covers routes East Midlands doesn't, and LBA is often the cheapest way to reach them. Our fixed fares are on the Leeds Bradford airport page — and if you're also comparing, see Manchester or East Midlands prices from your town via the booking page.

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