London City Airport (LCY) is the second-smallest of the six airports serving the Greater London area. It is also the closest airport to the city core (~11 km) and thus very popular with business travelers, especially given the fact that it’s just 5 km from Canary Wharf.
This convenience comes at a disadvantage in the fewer destinations served than larger airports in London, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.
With around 3-4 million passengers per year, London City Airport ranks among the top 15 airports in the United Kingdom.
Major Airlines - British Airways
British Airways is the largest airline at London City Airport. With over 1300 flights per month, serving more than 25 destinations, it captures more than 70% of the demand at LCY. Most of its flights are bound for larger cities in Western Europe, including Zurich, Amsterdam, Dublin, and Madrid, while summer schedules also include seaside destinations in Greece, Portugal, and Croatia.
Other full-service carriers that serve the business segment include KLM with its 5-times-daily service to Amsterdam Schiphol, SWISS with its thrice-daily service to Zurich, ITA Airways with its twice-daily service to Milan-Linate, and Luxair with its 3-4 flights per day to Luxembourg. Air Dolomiti also provides an important and popular connection to Frankfurt.
Aurigny and Loganair provide domestic services to Guernsey and the Isle of Man, respectively.
Check out all destinations you can reach by a direct flight from London City Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
London City has just one terminal with a very simple layout spread over 2 floors:
The ground floor contains check-in and some service facilities
The upper level has the Security checkpoint, the airside waiting area, and several shops.
There are 15 gates in total, all using walk-boarding:
Gates 2b to 14 are in the West Pier.
Gates 21-24 are in the East Pier.
London City Airport is open from 4:45 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays, 4:45 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays, and 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM on Sundays.
The terminal is very efficient, and all checks are completed very quickly, so it’s recommended that you arrive no more than 2 hours before your flight.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
London City Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. The network is “LCY Free Wi-Fi”. It has no time limits and allows speeds of up to 16 Mb/s. You need to use your email address to authenticate.
Other passenger services at LCY include:
ATMs: Several major British banks have cash machines in the landside area.
Currency exchange: Global Currency Exchange has a desk on the right as you enter the international baggage reclaim area and just after the domestic baggage reclaim, where it offers a wide range of global currencies.
Information desk: Located to the left of the terminal entrance with a prominent white circle “I” sign above it.
Lost & Found: Register your lost item with Zero Burden or Not Lost within 30 days of losing it.
Seating areas: Plentiful seating areas are available airside, including a desked area with plug sockets and USB chargers.
Postal services: There is a post box near the main entrance, next to the Self-Service Check-in. Buy stamps from the WHSmith on the ground floor.
Airport concierge: DiamondAir offers concierge, meet and assist, and escort service worth 125 GBP.
Water stations: Located near Gates 7, 8 and 15.
Baby Changing room: Available near Gates 5 and 23.
Lounges at London City Airport
Depending on when you’re reading this, there may or may not be a lounge at LCY.
An Aspire Lounge is set to open in early 2027. It will be akin to a 5-star hotel lobby, featuring a centrepiece cocktail bar and a barista station. Further information about eligibility and prices will be available closer to the opening date.
Dining Options at LCY
London City Airport is built around the convenience of grabbing a cup of coffee, fresh-to-go snacks, or a leisurely lunch before a midday flight.
Most options are located airside to allow for less stress - you will already be past security and waiting near the gates.
The most popular dining options at LCY are:
Big Penny Brews: A café bar that offers artisanal local produce. Opens at 5 AM (11 AM on Sundays).
Soul & Grain: Offers breakfasts, salads, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, baguettes, and other grab-and-go items. Opens at 5 AM except on Sundays when it opens at 11 AM.
Hithes London Bar and Eatery: Experience a microcosm of London’s street food scene. Offers both a breakfast menu and a full-day menu. Open from 5 AM to 9:30 PM on weekdays, 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM on Sundays, and closed on Saturdays.
Juniper & Co: A premium bar and restaurant offering spirits, cheeses, pastries, and more. Open from 5 AM on weekdays and Saturdays and 11 AM on Sundays.z
The airport also houses a Caffè Nero after Security and a Pret store before Security on the Ground Floor, and another Pret store after Security near Gate 3.
Transport to and from the airport
One of the main reasons London City Airport is popular with business travelers is just how close it is to the city core and Canary Wharf in particular. Driving time to the latter is just 25 minutes, while you can get to Westminster in under 45 minutes - something only possible from LCY.
The airport also has its own Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station, located immediately outside the terminal entrance. DLR trains operate every few minutes, connecting directly with Canning Town, Canary Wharf, Stratford, and Bank.
To get elsewhere in London, you can easily transfer to the Jubilee Line, Elizabeth Line, or the Central Line after taking the DLR. The Elizabeth Line, which passes just 300 m to the south of the airport, is particularly useful as it allows you to get to Paddington, Tottenham Court Rd, Liverpool St., or Abbey Road with just 1 transfer.
LCY is also served by three bus lines:
Route 129: Goes from Lewisham to Galleons Reach via LCY.
Route 473: Goes from North Woolwich to Stratford via LCY.
Route 474: Goes from Canning Town to Manor Park via LCY and runs 24/7.
All public transport in London can be paid for using your contactless card by tapping inside. The Airport is within fare zone 3, which means the DLR costs 3 GBP if paid by card (3.70 GBP between 6:30 and 9:30 on weekdays).
Licensed London Black Taxis have a rank just outside the terminal. Fares depend on distance and time of day. Just as a ballpark figure, a taxi to Canary Wharf costs around 20-30 GBP, while a ride to Central London costs 40-50 GBP. Uber and other ride-hailing services also operate at the airport.
Parking at LCY
The airport offers a multi-storey car park just a 5-minute walk from the terminal entrance, which is a great value for longer trips and holidays.
Parking fees start at 10 GBP for the first 20 minutes or 21.90 GBP for an hour. The daily rate is 97.90 GBP. The car park is cashless.
Motorbikes and bicycles can be parked for free at dedicated spaces under the DLR viaduct, opposite the turn-off to the front of the terminal.
Hotels near LCY
The closest hotel is Courtyard by Marriott London City Airport, located around five minutes' walk from the terminal. This is a 4-star property with fantastic reviews. It features a restaurant, fitness center, a bar and a shared lounge.
Other options nearby are Travelodge London City Airport and LCY Hotel, both of which are a little cheaper than the Marriott.
Other well-known brands with hotels near the airport are the Hilton and Holiday Inn, with their DoubleTree by Hilton London ExCeL and Holiday Inn Express London - Excel by IHG.
Check out more details about available hotels and book online.
London, United Kingdom
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