Visitors to the largest airport in the United Kingdom should brace themselves for packed crowds. London’s Heathrow Airport recently set a 12-month record, with over 81 million passengers passing through its terminals. The airport also experienced its busiest May ever, accommodating 7.2 million passengers for the first time in its history.

“Supporting 81 million journeys doesn’t just help families to make wonderful holiday memories. It’s about the vital trade and business links a hub like Heathrow creates for the UK’s economy,” said Heathrow’s CEO, Thomas Woldbye, in a statement.

As the summer travel season approaches, London has emerged as a top destination for international bookings. Chase Travel reported that London leads their list of most-booked international destinations, followed by Paris, Tokyo, Rome, and Cancun. Heathrow anticipates breaking more records this summer, with an estimated 30 million passengers expected to pass through.

Heathrow 2 scaled
London’s Heathrow Airport

Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for Going.com, noted that London remains a favorite among American travelers due to its accessibility and similarities to major US cities. She highlighted the busy air travel route between London and New York City and London’s connectivity to other European destinations. Over the past year, Nastro tracked 136 flight deals or fare sales to Heathrow.

Travelers can still find discounted prices to London this summer, with deals from JetBlue starting at $388 one-way in Blue Basic and $249 one-way on Icelandair with a layover in Reykjavík. Norse Atlantic Airways has also announced a fare sale, offering $149 flights to London, Paris, Rome, and other European cities.

London will host significant tourist events this summer beyond its usual attractions. Fans of Taylor Swift traveling to London for the Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in June and August should plan ahead, as these concerts coincide with the peak summer travel period.