Who flies in London
HM Coastguard helicopters
Maritime and Coastguard Agency search and rescue helicopters under the UK SAR contract, operated by Bristow; relevant to the Thames Estuary and south-east coast rather than central London.
Hero image: Photo: Paul Smith (Romfordian), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Maritime and Coastguard Agency search and rescue helicopters under the UK SAR contract, operated by Bristow; relevant to the Thames Estuary and south-east coast rather than central London.
The aircraft
AW139 now at Lydd, Lee-on-Solent and St Athan; AW189 at Inverness (Dec 2025).
Where they fly from
Nearest bases to London in the source: Lydd (Kent) and Lee-on-Solent (Hampshire). Which base covers the Thames Estuary: not stated.
How to tell them apart
Colours and markings: not stated on the official page.
The CAA treats police, air ambulance (HEMS), search and rescue and military flights as exempt public-safety users in its London data, and says NPAS and HEMS multi-engine helicopters may fly lower or hold over specific locations. See how low helicopters may fly.
Sourced facts
- UKSAR2G newsletter (30 Dec 2025): Lydd was first base to move to the AW139 (March 2025), St Athan and Lee-on-Solent also transitioned; 4 of 10 SAR helicopter bases operating under the new contract; full transition expected early 2027. Source
- UKSAR2G fixed-wing fleet of 6 aircraft (King Air B350ER, B200, B350) at Humberside, Prestwick and Newquay. Source