RailAir

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RailAir is a group of airport bus and coach services that connect the National Rail network to UK airports, mainly Heathrow and also a service from Luton. You can pay through-tickets that cover both rail and bus, or you can use the bus on its own.

Origins and operators
RailAir began as Railair Link, a partnership between the National Bus Company and British Rail. Over the years many operators ran RailAir routes as companies changed names and ownership. Notable past services included:
- Luton Flyer: a shuttle between Luton railway station and Luton Airport.
- Heathrow to Reading: a Railair Link coach route (route X25) later in the National Bus Company livery.
- Heathrow to Woking: operated by Rickards.
- Heathrow links via Beeline/Alder Valley, later run by First Berkshire, then FirstGroup with updated coaches.
- Woking to Heathrow: seen in Speedlink and later National Express branding, often joined with Stagecoach’s South West Trains branding.
- Virgin Trains: Virgin Trains West Coast operated ExpressCoach services from Luton and Heathrow, branded with Virgin Trains, until 2008.

In 2008, the Virgin service to Heathrow was withdrawn and passengers were directed to Green Line route 724. The RailAir name is still used as a general description of these services and is a brand on some routes.

Reading to Heathrow and beyond
The Reading to Heathrow RailAir coach allows people from places such as Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and South Wales to reach Heathrow without changing at London Paddington. It’s possible to switch to rail at Hayes & Harlington or Reading if you prefer.

Service style
Most RailAir services are direct express coaches with through-ticketing and are longer and less like local airport buses. They are aimed at convenient, one-ticket travel that links rail and air travel.

Recent additions
- July 2019: First Berkshire & The Thames Valley started route RA2 from Heathrow to Guildford.
- January 2020: RA2 was extended to also serve Woking.
- July 23, 2023: First Berkshire & The Thames Valley began route RA3 from Heathrow to Watford Junction.