| Stockholm Arlanda Airport | |
| Nativename: | Swedish: Stockholm-Arlanda flygplats |
| Image2-Width: | 250 |
| Iata: | ARN |
| Icao: | ESSA |
| Wmo: | 02484 |
| Type: | Public |
| Owner-Oper: | Swedavia |
| City-Served: | Metropolitan Stockholm |
| Location: | Sigtuna Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden |
| Coordinates: | 59.6519°N 17.9186°W |
| Pushpin Label: | ARN/ESSA |
| Elevation-F: | 137 |
| Pushpin Map: | Sweden Stockholm#Sweden |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within Stockholm County |
| Metric-Elev: | y |
| Metric-Rwy: | y |
| R1-Number: | 01L/19R |
| R1-Length-M: | 3,301 |
| R1-Surface: | Asphalt |
| R2-Number: | 01R/19L |
| R2-Length-M: | 2,500 |
| R2-Surface: | Asphalt |
| R3-Number: | 08/26 |
| R3-Length-M: | 2,500 |
| R3-Surface: | Asphalt |
| Stat-Year: | 2022 |
| Stat1-Header: | Passengers |
| Stat1-Data: | 18,427,286[1] |
| Stat2-Header: | Passenger change 21–22 |
| Stat2-Data: | 146.0% |
| Stat3-Header: | Aircraft movements |
| Stat3-Data: | 82,730 |
| Stat4-Header: | Movements change 21–22 |
| Stat4-Data: | 89.0% |
| Footnotes: | Sources: Swedish AIP at LFVAIP[2] Passenger Traffic, ACI Europe[3] |
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main international airport serving Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It is located in the Sigtuna Municipality of Sweden, near the town of Märsta, 37km (23miles) north of Stockholm and nearly 40km (30miles) southeast of Uppsala. The airport is located within Stockholm County and the historic province of Uppland.
Arlanda is the largest airport in Sweden and the third-largest airport in the Nordic countries. The airport is the major gateway to international air travel for large parts of Sweden. Arlanda Airport was used by nearly 27 million passengers in 2017, with 21.2 million international passengers and 5.5 million domestic.[4] The facility covers an expanse of about 2500ha of airport property.[5]
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the larger of Stockholm's two airports. The other, Stockholm Bromma Airport, is located northwest of the city's centre but can be used only by smaller aircraft.
Two further airports outside of Stockholm County are also branded as Stockholm: Stockholm Skavsta Airport and Stockholm Västerås Airport, both located around 100km (100miles) away from the Swedish capital. Stockholm Arlanda serves as a major hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
The airport was first used in 1959 but only for practice flights. It opened for limited civil traffic in 1960, and in 1962 the official opening ceremony took place. It was used from the start for intercontinental traffic because the runway at Bromma was too short. Scandinavian Airlines started using Douglas DC-8s on North American routes. The airport was also used very early by Pan American World Airways. The name Arlanda was decided after a competition prior to the airport opening. It is derived from Arland, an old name for the parish Ärlinghundra (now Husby-Ärlinghundra in Märsta) where the airport is situated. The '-a' was added in analogy with other Swedish place names ending with -landa and also plays on the Swedish verb "landa", which means "to land". The 1960s and 1970s saw increases in traffic with scheduled traffic and charter traffic. The Boeing 747 jumbojet started to be used in the 1970s, both on one-stop scheduled flights to New York and on weekend nonstop charters to the Canary Islands. Domestic flights to Gothenburg, Malmö, Luleå and Kiruna were operated by SAS DC-9s from Arlanda since they were considered too noisy to be used at downtown Bromma. The rest of domestic traffic operated out of Bromma, and all international traffic operated out of Arlanda.
In 1983, the domestic traffic operated by Linjeflyg moved from Bromma to Arlanda, using the terminal now known as Terminal 4. In 1990, two new domestic terminals called "Domestic 2 and 3" were built south of the first domestic terminal. In 1992, the terminal 2 was partly abandoned because of traffic decrease. It started to be used for international traffic the year after, and the main domestic and international terminals were renumbered into 4 and 5.
The third runway was built between 1998 and 2002; however, a recession in 2002 delayed its opening until 2003. At that time, protests were raised by people living under its flight path in the municipality of Upplands Väsby. Traffic has recovered since and is now showing healthy increases, but the third runway is only used during peak hours for environmental reasons. In September 2010, the first Airbus A380 superjumbo landed at the airport.[6]
In early 2014, Swedavia announced plans for further expansions of the airport terminal complex, including the construction of an additional pier for Terminal 5 in order to better accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 and address forecasts of rising passenger numbers.[7] The plans were approved by the Environmental Court of Appeals in December 2014, and construction was scheduled to commence in the spring of 2015.[8]
In the spring of 2020, most flights were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] SAS decided to fly only four domestic departures and four domestic arrivals from Arlanda, plus some international flights, after April 6, 2020[10] while Norwegian cancelled all flights from Arlanda except to Oslo.[11] Terminal 2, 3 and 4 closed and terminal 5 handled all passengers during this period (March 2020 – October 2021)[12] [13] The passenger figures were 97.7% lower in April 2020 than in April 2019.[14] [9] The figured picked up later, but in early 2021 were still more than 80% less per month than 2019.[15]
In the spring of 2022, passenger figures rose again to more normal levels. This caused capacity problems, especially in the security check, because most of its staff were fired due to the pandemic recession. Additionally followed with the time to find and get security approval for and educate new staff. Terminal 4 could not open because transfer between it and Terminal 5 required a security check, and the security check was congested already, so Terminal 5 became congested. Swedavia built a new pedestrian tunnel between the two terminals, bypassing the security check area. It opened together with Terminal 4 at the end of June 2022.[16]
Arlanda has four terminals numbered 2, 3, 4 and 5. As of 2024 all terminals are operational.[17] [18] The terminals have no strict separation of domestic and international flights, however gates are separated between Schengen and Non-Schengen departures. From 1992 to 2019, terminals 2 and 5 were used for international flights, and 3 and 4 for domestic flights. During the COVID-19 pandemic only terminal 5 was used.[19] In 2022, Terminals 4 and 5 were connected airside, enabling them to operate as a single terminal.[20]
In addition to the terminals, the airport features a concourse area called Sky City, located between Terminals 4 and 5. This area includes shopping and restaurant facilities, along with Arlanda Central Station below it. Sky City is situated landside, outside the security check area, and serves both passengers and visitors. Sky City also offers hotels connected to the terminals, located outside the security and passport check areas.
Terminal 2 (gates 61–82) was inaugurated on December 12, 1990, by Prince Bertil. Initially named Inrikes 2 ("Domestic 2") it was designed for use by SAS as a domestic terminal, it features 8 aircraft parking stands with passenger bridges.[21]
The terminal was constructed to facilitate short turnaround times, increased efficiency, and minimal walking distances for passengers. At its opening, it did not have security checks and was intended for passengers with hand luggage, allowing them to arrive just 10 minutes before departure. The design included double walk bridges suitable for MD-80 aircraft.
In 1992, SAS moved its domestic operations out of Terminal 2 due to a decrease in passenger traffic on domestic routes. The terminal then began accommodating other airlines, including Transwede Airways, for both domestic and international flights.
By the late 1990s, the terminal's capacity was insufficient to handle the growing passenger traffic. Significant updates were made in 2001 when Terminal 2 was reconfigured to handle exclusively international flights as part of preparations for Sweden’s entry into the Schengen area. The terminal was adapted to meet new requirements, including the addition of security checks and a larger luggage claim area.
In 2013, Terminal 2 underwent a major refurbishment that expanded it by 2,500 square meters. The renovation added new transit areas, shops, and restaurants, as well as a new floor level with additional amenities such as restaurants and a lounge. Terminal 2 also features an express station for high-speed trains, Arlanda South Station, shared with terminals 3 and 4, but with its own dedicated escalator. There are buses between terminal 2 and terminal 5 without need for further security check.
Terminal 3 (gates 51–59) at was opened in 1990 to serve regional domestic aircraft. Originally, Terminal 3 was built without security checks, which were later introduced after 2001, following Sweden's entry into the Schengen area.
The terminal features a café and a boarding process where passengers walk outdoors from the gates and board planes using airstairs. Access to Terminal 3 is through Terminal 2, requiring a 200-meter walk.
Terminal 3 was designed to handle regional flights within Sweden.[23] However, over time, there was a decline in passenger numbers for these smaller connections, leading to reduced utilisation of Terminal 3. In early 2020, Terminal 3 was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic however, as of July 2024, remains in periodic use.
In the summer of 2024, Swedavia conducted runway maintenance at Stockholm Bromma Airport. During this period, BRA (Braathens Regional Airlines) relocated its operations to Terminal 3 at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.[24]
Terminal 4 (gates C30–C44) was inaugurated in 1983 by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Initially named Inrikes 1 ("Domestic 1") it was designed to handle domestic flights, terminal 4 takes the form of a single pier and features 14 aircraft parking stands with passenger bridges. Today Terminal 4 is primarily used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizzair.[25] [26]
In 1984, Linjeflyg and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) relocated all operations from Stockholm Bromma Airport to the new terminal at Arlanda to consolidate their domestic and international departures. Due to its increasing popularity, the terminal soon became too small. To address this, Inrikes 2 (now named Terminal 2) was established in 1990 for SAS, which moved all its domestic flights from Inrikes 1 to the new terminal.
Due to the 1990–1994 Swedish financial crisis, SAS returned to Terminal 4 in 1992, and the two carriers once again shared the terminal.[27] In the same year, Inrikes 1 was renamed Terminal 4. Since 1999, Terminal 4 has been served by the Arlanda South Station, a station for the Arlanda Express, connecting the terminal with Stockholm Central Station and Arlanda North Station at Terminal 5. In 2006, Terminal 4 underwent a major renovation, the first significant update since its construction in 1983.
The terminal was closed in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened in June 2022, primarily serving Ryanair. During its closure, an airside walkway was constructed, linking Terminal 4 with Terminal 5, allowing them to operate as a single terminal.[28]
Terminal 4 does not have passport control, customs facilities or baggage reclaim facilities. Passengers on non-Schengen flights, check in and pass through security at Terminal 4 but proceed to a non-Schengen gate within Terminal 5 for passport control and departure. Similarly, all arriving passengers are routed via the airside walkway to Terminal 5 for customs clearance and baggage reclaim.[29]
Terminal 5 (gates D11–D24, E1–E10 and F26-F69) is the largest and oldest of Arlanda's current passenger terminals. The terminal was opened as Arlanda International in 1976 by King Carl XVI Gustaf. Built to handle both scheduled and charter international flights, Terminal 5 has since undergone several expansions. It now comprises three piers - D, E and F - which are equipped with 31 aircraft parking stands with passenger bridges.
In 1992, the terminal was renamed from Arlanda International to its current designation as Terminal 5, and in 1999 Arlanda North Station was opened, providing a direct rail link to Stockholm Central Station with the Arlanda Express. In 2003, Terminal 5 underwent a significant expansion that included the addition of a third pier. This expansion was part of a broader redevelopment of Arlanda Airport, which also saw the opening of Runway 3 and a new air traffic control tower. The expanded facilities were inaugurated on December 17, 2003, by Infrastructure Minister Ulrika Messing.[30]
Since 2020, Terminal 5 at Stockholm Arlanda Airport has served both domestic and international flights. It functions as a hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, and accommodates both Schengen and non-Schengen destinations. Since 2018, some gates at Terminal 5 have been able to support larger aircraft models such as the Airbus A380.[31] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all traffic at Arlanda Airport was moved to Terminal 5 between March 2020 and October 2021.[32]
Since 2022, Terminal 5 has been connected to Terminal 4 via an airside walkway, allowing them to operate as a single terminal. Terminal 5 now manages arrivals, customs, and baggage reclaim for Terminal 4. A new security control facility equipped with CT scanners opened in early summer 2023.[33] Ongoing expansion efforts include the construction of an expanded airside concourse and new duty-free store, which has been opening gradually since 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, featuring approximately 50 new retailers, restaurants, and services.
Future plans for Terminal 5 include the addition of Pier G by 2040, which aims to increase the terminal's capacity to accommodate up to 40 million passengers annually, up from 25 million in 2019.[34]
Arlanda has three runways: Runway 1 (01L/19R), Runway 2 (08/26) and Runway 3 (01R/19L). Runway 1 is 3301m (10,830feet)[35] long and can handle take-offs and landings of the heaviest aircraft in use today. Runways 2 and 3 are 2500m (8,200feet) long.[35] As indicated, runways 1 and 3 are parallel runways that can be operated independently of one another. Runways 1 and 3 are equipped with CAT III systems for instrument landings.[35] The airport can handle simultaneous take offs and landings using runways 1 and 3 at the same time. Simultaneous aircraft takeoffs and landings can be performed in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Runway 3 (01R/19L) is reached from the main terminal area via taxiway bridges constructed to be able to handle the heaviest and largest aircraft in traffic, although its length practically limits this. Since runway 3 (01R/19L) is located at a distance from the terminals, a deicing area is placed close to the runway to avoid long waits between deicing and take off in winter conditions. Another deicing area is located in connection with the southern ramp area close to the take off positions at runway 01L. There are high speed taxiway exits from all runways, except runway 08, to enable aircraft to exit the runways quickly after landing. That increases runway capacity during rush hours. Use of parallel taxiways around the terminal area separates arriving and departing traffic. Arlanda can handle all aircraft types in service including the Airbus A380.
Stockholm Arlanda has extensive cargo flight activity. There is a cargo area with cargo terminals and cargo transit facilities in the southern part of the airport area. The cargo area is labeled "Cargo City" with warehouses operated by Cargo Center,[36] DHL, Swedish postal service (Posten) and Spirit Air Cargo.[37] A large part of mail and express parcels from Sweden is handled through the facilities at the airport.[38] SAS Cargo has its cargo operation east of the passenger terminals close to the SAS hangars.[39]
Dedicated scheduled cargo flights are operated by Korean Air Cargo with Boeing 747 cargo aircraft, as well as Lufthansa Cargo and Turkish Airlines. DHL, FedEx and UPS operate express freight services at the airport. West Air Sweden and Amapola operate shorter cargo sectors. A number of airlines operate ad hoc cargo flights with various equipment. Outsize cargo is frequently hauled with the Antonov An-124 and similar cargo planes. TNT had their operations at Arlanda but have since moved to Västerås Airport.
SAS Technical Services, TUI fly Nordic and Priority Aero Maintenance.[40] have large aircraft hangars and maintenance facilities at the airport. SAS Technical Services is headquartered at Arlanda and has hangar facilities suitable for widebody aircraft up to the size of Boeing 747-400s. The first part of the hangar complex was built to handle SAS' fleet of DC-8s. There are a number of positions on each side of the building initially built to handle the type. The hangar space are now used mostly for Boeing 737s and A320s. The Boeing 747 hangar was inaugurated at the time when Scandinavian Airlines received their first Boeing 747s in the beginning of the 70s. It is large enough to handle a Boeing 747 and two 737 sized airplanes at the same time. The offices of SAS Technical Services are situated in connection with the hangars. In the early days of the airport these hangars provided heavy maintenance for members of the KSSU group,[41] which included KLM, SAS, Swissair and UTA. A number of other airlines, such as Thai Airways International, also maintained their aircraft in those hangars. Now the main user is Scandinavian Airlines. TUI fly Nordic has a hangar able to handle their largest aircraft, the Boeing 787-9. Priority Aero Maintenance has its facilities in the eastern part of the airport. They provide heavy aircraft maintenance for a number of aircraft including MD-80, a common type to be overhauled by the company.
There is also a hangar in the southern part of the airport, built by the former Swedish domestic airline Linjeflyg. It is used mainly by regional aircraft.
Helicopter hangars and maintenance facilities are found at the very eastern part of the airport operated by Patria Helicopters.[42]
Swedavia, the Swedish airport management company, has its head office in the airport control tower facility.[43] [44] The company Sollentuna Cabin Interiors has its head office in Hangar 4 at Arlanda.[45]
Oxford Aviation Academy has a flight simulator centre for some of the most common airliners of today (like Boeing 737) at Arlanda. Arlanda has hangars and aircraft maintenance facilities operated by SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Priority Aero Maintenance. TUI fly Nordic based at the airport also has a large hangar for widebody jets. There is also a helicopter repair facility operated by Patria Helicopters. A decommissioned Boeing 747 jumbo jet renovated into a hostel, the Jumbo Stay (formerly Jumbo Hostel), is located at the entrance to Arlanda Airport. There are four additional hotels at the airport (Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport, Radisson Blu Arlandia Hotel, Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel and Rest and Fly); in addition there are several hotels nearby with transfer buses.[46]
| Year | Domestic | Change | International | Change | Total | Change | Landings | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,564,358 | 18,254,222 | 21,818,580 | 92,013 | |||||
| 2022 | 3,154,113 | 15,273,173 | 18,427,286 | 82,730 | |||||
| 2021 | 1,682,049 | 5,812,716 | 7,494,765 | 43,710 | |||||
| 2020 | 1,597,235 | 4,938,194 | 6,535,429 | 41,603 | |||||
| 2019 | 4,849,031 | 20,793,592 | 25,642,623 | 114,801 | |||||
| 2018 | 5,289,246 | 21,557,474 | 26,846,720 | 120,059 | |||||
| 2017 | 5,476,136 | 21,165,898 | 26,642,034 | 122,697 | |||||
| 2016 | 5,277,686 | 19,424,733 | 24,702,419 | 115,631 | |||||
| 2015 | 5,081,908 | 18,060,628 | 23,142,536 | 112,987 | |||||
| 2014 | 5,105,571 | 17,338,211 | 22,443,782 | 112,648 | |||||
| 2013 | 4,870,328 | 15,811,068 | 20,681,396 | 109,837 | |||||
| 2012 | 4,802,546 | 14,839,483 | 19,642,029 | 104,930 | |||||
| 2011 | 4,737,758 | 14,334,961 | 19,072,719 | 106,428 | |||||
| 2010 | 4,019,292 | 12,943,124 | 16,962,416 | 95,434 | |||||
| 2009 | 3,949,253 | 12,114,747 | 16,064,000 | 96,279 | |||||
| 2008 | 4,854,810 | 13,281,295 | 18,136,105 | 111,450 | |||||
| 2007 | 5,048,736 | 12,863,722 | 17,912,458 | 109,275 | |||||
| 2006 | 5,331,916 | 12,207,474 | 17,539,390 | 113,565 | |||||
| 2005 | 5,744,667 | 11,356,811 | 17,101,478 | 117,095 | |||||
| 2004 | 5,559,801 | 10,694,071 | 16,253,872 | 122,680 | |||||
| 2003 | 5,388,364 | 9,725,141 | 15,113,505 | 115,762 | |||||
| 2002 | 6,029,712 | 10,401,495 | 16,431,207 | 122,852 | |||||
| 2001 | 6,695,340 | 11,401,250 | 18,096,590 | 138,244 | |||||
| 2000 | 6,760,127 | 11,503,799 | 18,263,926 | 139,705 | |||||
| 1999 | 6,423,639 | 10,704,910 | 17,128,549 | 138,081 | |||||
| 1998 | 6,111,993 | 10,035,978 | 16,147,971 | 133,861 | |||||
| 1997 | 5,731,403 | 9,221,675 | 14,953,078 | 128,985 | |||||
| 1996 | 5,590,446 | 8,341,427 | 13,931,873 | 119,261 |
| Rank | Airport | Passengers handled | % change 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,364,019 | 27.7 | ||
| 2 | 1,180,576 | 22.2 | ||
| 3 | 1,089,467 | 14.4 | ||
| 4 | 1,022,085 | 24.3 | ||
| 5 | 778,106 | 15.5 | ||
| 6 | 652,784 | 12.9 | ||
| 7 | 528,964 | 11.8 | ||
| 8 | 514,106 | 9.1 | ||
| 9 | 464,674 | 3.2 | ||
| 10 | 458,108 | 9.5 | ||
| 11 | 409,207 | 29.1 | ||
| 12 | 386,545 | 22.0 | ||
| 13 | 382,517 | 8.5 | ||
| 14 | 342,362 | 8.4 | ||
| 15 | 341,473 | 19.8 | ||
| 16 | 283,470 | 7.6 | ||
| 17 | 277,164 | 35.4 | ||
| 18 | 266,709 | 9.4 | ||
| 19 | 260,444 | 17.9 | ||
| 20 | 240,559 | 16.4 |
| Rank | Airport | Passengers handled | % change 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 266,533 | 1.9 | ||
| 2 | 226,454 | 9.2 | ||
| 3 | 214,943 | 11.2 | ||
| 4 | 198,335 | 84.9 | ||
| 5 | 99,545 | 14.0 | ||
| 6 | 82,448 | 9.1 | ||
| 7 | 59,612 | 2140.2 | ||
| 8 | 51,950 | 37.2 | ||
| 9 | 37,636 | 76.4 | ||
| 10 | 31,351 | 32.1 |
| Rank | Airport | Passengers handled | % change 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 943,345 | 10.6 | ||
| 2 | 567,428 | 14.5 | ||
| 3 | 507,572 | 11.9 | ||
| 4 | 323,351 | 0.9 | ||
| 5 | 310,090 | 23.9 | ||
| 6 | 220,029 | 15.9 | ||
| 7 | 213,598 | 10.8 | ||
| 8 | 95,456 | 25.6 | ||
| 9 | 87,683 | 10.0 | ||
| 10 | 56,338 | 17.0 |
| Rank | Country | Passengers | % change 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 2,074,023 | 12.6 | |
| 2 |  | 1,717,329 | 17,0 | |
| 3 |  | 1,614,687 | 30.7 | |
| 4 |  | 1,272,586 | 18.4 | |
| 5 |  | 1,231,385 | 20.6 | |
| 6 |  | 1,122,672 | 32.5 | |
| 7 |  | 898,811 | 13.8 | |
| 8 |  | 778,119 | 15.5 | |
| 9 |  | 764,724 | 27.5 | |
| 10 |  | 728,843 | 19.5 | |
| 11 |  | 705,795 | 8.5 | |
| 12 |  | 685,345 | 1.3 | |
| 13 |  | 501,181 | 23.7 | |
| 14 |  | 443,514 | 29.5 | |
| 15 |  | 380,627 | 13.5 | |
| 16 |  | 264,700 | 77.3 | |
| 17 |  | 260,444 | 17.9 | |
| 18 |  | 238,905 | 21.3 | |
| 19 |  | 235,368 | 11.8 | |
| 20 |  | 234,121 | 53.5 |
Arlanda has a policy to never close due to snowfall.[49] [50] Arlanda is exposed to lake-effect snowfalls, where ice cold air from the northeast in combination with open water in the Baltic Sea causes heavy snowfall. During heavy snowfall at least one runway stays open but in bad weather condition there may be delays even if flight operations continue at all times. Not just runways need to be cleared, aprons and aircraft parking areas need snow clearing as well. It is an advantage that there are three runways allowing two open runways when one is cleared at lighter snowfall. The airport has a total of 250 000 m2 to clear from snow and ice, at the same time as the aircraft continue taking off and landing.[51] During the colder half of the year Stockholm Arlanda has about 65 seasonally hired snow removal staff. Together with permanent staff, they form a team of 100 people who provide snow removal services. Special routes are planned for sweeping teams, which clear each route at intervals of 35 to 45 minutes. The sweeping teams are directed via radio from the air traffic control tower. When snow removal is completed on each runway the surface is tested by a friction vehicle, which measures friction value. The airport announces the friction value, and then it is each pilot who decides whether the value is sufficient for a landing. The friction value determines how often a runway must be ploughed and treated with antiskid agent.
Arlanda, as the main airport serving the Swedish capital, is also used by VIP-flights[52] using business jets. Government officials and celebrities are frequent visitors. In April 2011, the then-Chairman of the Russian Government Vladimir Putin visited Stockholm with a couple of large jet airplanes.[53] The Emperor of Japan has also visited Arlanda with his Boeing 747s.[54] In September 2013, U.S. President Barack Obama, made an official visit to Sweden with Air Force One.[55] EU-meetings and exhibitions in the Stockholm area also bring special flights to the airport. Various private companies use their business jets to attend meetings in the Stockholm area. Some VIP-flights also go to downtown Bromma Airport, but since Bromma has limited operational hours many go to Arlanda instead. European Flight Service has a Grumman Gulfstream G550 based at Arlanda for VIP flights.
Arlanda has several VIP lounges.[56] They allow travellers to meet their planes on the tarmac. The VIP area can also hold weddings, with or without a flight. The airport also holds weddings in the control tower.[57]
The fastest way to the airport from Stockholm Central Station is the Arlanda Express train service, making the trip in 20 minutes, in addition to other regional trains that make the trip in the same time.[58] As of July 2024, one-way ticket for Arlanda Express costs 340 SEK, making it one of the most expensive airport express trains in the world.
The Stockholm commuter rail (Pendeltåg) serves Arlanda as well, with services going south to southern Stockholm, through Stockholm City, and services going north to Uppsala, but on Uppsala county tickets. The route takes 38 minutes between Arlanda C station and Stockholm C, and 18 minutes between Arlanda C and Uppsala C.[59] The fare is higher from Arlanda compared to other journeys on the commuter rail network because the railway to Arlanda is privately owned, with passengers 20 years or older having to pay a passage fee of 135 SEK to enter or exit the airport.
Arlanda is also served by long-distance trains called Intercity, Regionaltåg (Regional train) and SJ Snabbtåg operated by SJ and Mälartåg that go to locations north of Stockholm Arlanda Airport and south of Stockholm. Some regional and Intercity trains allow passengers to board at Arlanda and get off at both Stockholm Central Station and Uppsala Central Station. Although the entrance fee to Arlanda Central Station increases the ticket price several times over, the long-distance trains can still often be cheaper than Arlanda Express while taking about the same time. (20 minutes)
All of these trains (except for Arlanda Express) depart from Arlanda Central Station.
There are plans to extend the Roslagsbanan commuter rail system to Arlanda, creating better connections with the north eastern parts of Stockholm such as Danderyd, Täby, and Vallentuna to the airport.[60] There is no timeframe for its completion.
Flygbussarna, Flixbus, SL, UL, and Vy bus4you operate services to and from Arlanda. Flygbussarna operates frequent departures to Stockholm, while Flixbus and bus4you operate coach services to different destinations in Sweden. SL is the public transport operator of Stockholm Län, whilst UL is the public transport operator in Uppsala Län. SL operates a few bus lines to and from Arlanda, the most popular line being route 583 to Märsta railway station (from where SL commuter trains to Stockholm depart, for much cheaper than from Arlanda because of the exit fee charge there), which leaves every 10 minutes for most of the day. UL operates bus lines from Arlanda to the neighboring Uppsala County, with the most popular line to Arlanda being route 801 to Uppsala, which leaves every 30 minutes between 04:00 and 01:00. UL also operates bus lines to Enköping (bus no. 579/803) and Almunge (bus no. 806). There are a few additional departures during peak times. An additional shuttle bus operates between Arlanda and the nearby Jumbo Stay hostel, located just outside the airport grounds.
The motorway E4 goes past the airport and connects Arlanda with central Stockholm as well as Uppsala and other cities further north.Terminal parking, short-term and long-term parking is available at the airport. The low price long-term parking requires a free shuttle bus ride. The bus departs every 8–15 minutes. There are rental car facilities at the airport.
All taxi companies are required to offer fixed prices from the airport (one can still request use of the taxi meter). Most major companies also offer fixed prices to the airport.[61]
There is an ongoing work to limit Arlanda's negative impact on the environment. In an effort to save electricity, buildings at Arlanda use district heating with biofuels and district cooling with water from a nearby lake. The take off charges for aircraft are partly based on the environmental performance of the aircraft and Arlanda is experimenting with Continuous Descent Approaches and landings, often referred to as "green landings".[62] Jet fuel is since around 2006 delivered by boat to Gävle and via train to Brista close to Märsta and from there through pipeline. Previously fuel was delivered by ship to Värtahamnen in Stockholm and then by trucks through Stockholm city to Arlanda. The airport also takes measures to promote the use of bio fuel in taxis operating to and from the airport.[63]
One of the most interesting eco-friendly systems Stockholm Arlanda Airport uses is their unique heating and cooling system for their hangar, terminals, and other buildings on the airfield. There innovative system uses a series of wells, linked to a large underground aquifer. The water from the underground source is plumbed up and into the facilities air system, which controls the temperature of the air coming from the vents. In the summertime, the underground water remains cooler than the surface. That allows the terminals to be cooled off without using extra energy that an air conditioner would require. Then, in the winter months, the underground water remains warmer than the surface. The water is then plumbed to a control/heating unit, which uses biofuel to heat the water to a temperature appropriate for warming up the buildings.
The heated water is also used to heat pads of cement on the ramp and near the large hangar doors, efficiently keeping the doors and ramps clear of ice. After the water is run through the system, it is then all replaced back into the aquifer to be used again. The unique aquifer system is one of Arlanda's most defining environmentally friendly designs.[64]