Passengers Travelling to London Luton Airport Set for Improved Rail Journey on Upgraded Express Service
(IN SHORT) London Luton Airport passengers using the Luton Airport Express are set to benefit from upgraded East Midlands Railway Class 360 trains, with the first refurbished unit due to enter service next month. The improvements include redesigned interiors, new 2+2 seating with airline-style seats and table bays, enhanced luggage facilities, power and USB charging points, upgraded passenger information systems and improved accessibility features. The Luton Airport Express, launched in April 2023, connects St Pancras International with Luton Airport Parkway, where passengers transfer to the electrically powered Luton DART for the final journey to the terminal, allowing travel from central London to the airport in around 30 minutes. EMR, operated by Transport UK, is carrying out the refurbishment as part of a wider £60 million regional train modernisation programme across the East Midlands network. London Luton Airport said the investment will improve comfort and convenience for passengers while strengthening rail as a more sustainable option for airport travel.
(PRESS RELEASE) LUTON, UK, 2026-Jun-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Passengers using the Luton Airport Express will soon benefit from upgraded trains offering more modern interiors, improved luggage space and a more comfortable journey between central London and London Luton Airport.
London Luton Airport said the improvements follow the refurbishment of East Midlands Railway’s Class 360 train, with the first upgraded unit expected to enter service next month. The investment is designed to enhance the passenger experience on the Luton Airport Express, which connects St Pancras International with Luton Airport Parkway before passengers transfer to the Luton DART for the final link to the terminal.
The refurbished Class 360 train features a redesigned interior and new 2+2 seating, combining airline-style seats with table bays to create a more spacious and practical layout. Passengers will also benefit from improved luggage facilities, power and USB charging points, upgraded passenger information systems and enhanced accessibility features.
The Luton Airport Express was launched in April 2023 and has strengthened the airport’s rail connection with central London. When combined with the Luton DART, the service allows passengers to travel from central London to the airport terminal in around 30 minutes.
Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer at London Luton Airport, said the airport’s commitment to a simple and friendly journey begins before passengers reach the terminal. He said the Luton Airport Express has been transformative by linking central London to the airport through a seamless connection with the Luton DART.
Martin added that EMR’s multi-million-pound investment will provide a more modern and comfortable onboard experience for the growing number of passengers using the service, while making rail an even more attractive and sustainable option for airport travel.
East Midlands Railway, operated by Transport UK, has invested in the upgraded Class 360 train as part of a broader £60 million regional refurbishment programme across the East Midlands network. Further refurbished Class 360 units are expected to enter service over the coming months as the programme continues.
Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said the investment will transform the customer experience by providing trains that are more comfortable, more practical and better suited to modern travel. He said the refurbished fleet will deliver a step-change for passengers using EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express services.
London Luton Airport is one of the UK’s busiest airports and is operated by a consortium whose majority shareholder is AENA, alongside infrastructure investment manager InfraBridge. Airlines serving the airport include Jet2, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Tui, FlyOne, Sun Express, El Al and Jazeera.
The airport is owned for community benefit by Luton Rising, a company wholly owned by Luton Council. Since 1998, Luton Rising has invested more than £500 million in frontline, voluntary and charitable services.
The Luton DART is an electrically powered people mover linking Luton Airport Parkway station with the terminal in less than four minutes. Together with the Luton Airport Express, it forms a faster and more convenient public transport option for airport passengers travelling from central London.
London Luton Airport has also received recent recognition for passenger service, accessibility and sustainability. It was named European Airport of the Year in the 10–25 million passenger category by ACI EUROPE in 2024 and received the highest possible “Very Good” rating in the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s 2025 Airport Accessibility report.
The airport achieved Level 4 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme in 2023 and has ranked as a sector leader for four consecutive years in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark assessment of infrastructure asset sustainability governance and performance.
London Luton Airport continues to be a major employer and economic contributor in Bedfordshire, supporting 28,000 jobs and contributing £830 million per year to the local economy.
Further information on London Luton Airport can be found here: https://www.london-luton.co.uk/
Contact Details:
London Luton Airport Press Office
T: 01582 395333
E: pressoffice@ltn.aero
SOURCE: London Luton Airport Operations Limited
