London City Airport
London City Airport is geographically the closest airport to central London, it is only six miles away from the city center. London City is the fifth busiest airport of Greater London, which handles 5.1 million passengers every year. As the airport is situated close to the financial district of London, most passengers are business-related.
With 12 operating airlines, London City Airport can take you to over fifty destinations worldwide. The airport runs on a single terminal, which saves time between check-in and boarding the flight.
If you are about to take a flight from London City Airport, this guide will guide you about its amenities and other facilities.
Table of contents
➡️ History of London City Airport
➡️ Airlines at London City Airport
➡️ Lounges at London City Airport
➡️ Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
➡️ Facilities & Services at London City Airport
➡️ Transfers from London City Airport to Central London
Basic Information
Before we get into the details, you need to know the necessary and crucial information.
Airport Code: LCY
Airport Location: 11 kilometres (7 miles) from east of London City
Airport Address: Hartmann Road, London, E16 2PX
Contact Number: +44 20 7646 0000
Terminals: One terminal
Time Zone: GMT +0000, Greenwich Mean Time
History of Lodon City Airport
Despite the protests by local residents in Newham, London City Airport was opened in the year 1987. The residents at Newham found it objectionable to build an airport close to the residential area as it poses a direct threat to their lives.
The airport was built on a promise that it would serve only quiet and small planes. The airport inaugurated a river bus service of 35-minute from the airport to central London, handling about 133,000 passengers in 1988.
Several changes and improvements were made in later years, including real-flight information, online bookings, and new destinations. Planning for launching new restaurants and Docklands Light Railway station was put forward in 2000.
For the fourth time, London City Airport was awarded Best Business Terminus in 2001. In the year 2012, during the Olympic Games, the airport was offered a seven million investment to refurbish the passenger search facility and the terminal.
Terminal
Due to low passenger volume and restricted space in the London Docklands area, the area of the airport is smaller in comparison to other London airports. Also, the airport is equipped with a two-story passenger terminal building.
On the ground floor, you have the check-in facilities and a staircase that takes you to the first floor’s security control. After passing the security area, you can find several restaurants, waiting areas, and shopping outlets. Moreover, the waiting area will connect the departure gates on the upper and ground level.
You need to walk and board the planes as there are no jet bridges.
Airlines at London City Airport
You can find the operation of the following airlines at London City Airport:
TAP Portugal
Swiss
Luxair
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
British Airways
Aer Lingus
KLM
Alitalia
Logonair
Air Antwerp
Lounges at London City Airport
If you want to access the lounge area, just pay at the door and enjoy the facilities. It won’t matter from which class you are travelling, everyone can enjoy the facilities of the lounge area.
There are two lounge areas at the airport:
First Class Lounge
If you travel in an economy class, you can access the First Class Lounge and comfortably wait for your next flight. The airport car park will directly escort the passengers to the lounge area from the main terminal.
The only passengers are eligible to access the lounge area must be travelling on Blue Islands, SWISS, Lufthansa, CityJet, Flybe, and Alitalia.
The First Class Lounge Area offers the following services for your relaxation and entertainment:
Television
Telephone
Snacks
Smoking Area
Showers
Printers
Premium Food
Newspapers
Wi-Fi
Monitor for Flight Information
Conference Rooms
Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic
Business Class Lounge
You can access the Business Lounge Class even if you are travelling from economy class by paying the fee at the door. From the Private Jet terminal, you can easily take a free taxi shuttle to the lounge area.
The following services are available at Business Class Lounge:
Television
Showers (paid)
Telephones
Snacks
Printers
Smoking Area
Magazines and Newspapers
Wi-Fi or Internet
Monitor for Flight Information
Conference Room (paid)
Beverages, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic
Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
Even though the airport has limited space, the London City Airport offers various eateries situated inside the airport. If you want caffeine to boost your energy, there is Caffe Nero and Pret a Manger for you.
If you would like to taste traditional East London food, you can try Truman’s Brick Lane Brews. You can enjoy several dishes, including Canning Town roasted coffee, gourmet sausage rolls, a variety of Bowery Bagels and even the famous Salt Beef beigel from Brick Lane.
For a full and perfect meal before you board the flight, you can check out the City Bar and Restaurant for a variety of delicious options.
If you are looking to relax while enjoying a drink, you can take a seat at Brick Lane Brews and The City Bar. The former also serves quality champagne, wines, cocktails, beer, and spirit.
Shopping at the airport
Who can resist a bargain on different products at the airport? If you have forgotten some essential last-minute necessities, you have every shop to cater for different purposes.
WHSmith and Boots offer various products from magazines to toiletries. Moreover, Dixons Travel have everything from the latest and top brands.
For relaxation and beauty treatments, you can head to Aerospa and enjoy your pampering session. There is nothing more satisfying than relaxing yourself after a stressful week or a strenuous flight.
Facilities & Services at London City Airport
Though known as the smallest airport in whole London, it is equipped with exceptional facilities which make it worth the travel. Let’s discuss what facilities you can avail of at the airport.
Internet and Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is accessible all the way through the terminal from the entrance. You will have to register with your credentials or connect with your social media accounts to enjoy the services of unlimited Wi-Fi. However, if you don’t want to register, you can use free Wi-Fi for straight fifteen minutes. The departure lounge provides accessible public internet desks. The speed and browsing depend on how much you pay for it.
Charging and Plug Stations
If you want to access your laptop and other electronic devices comfortably on your flight, you will need them to be fully charged. For that, the airport provides live sockets which you can use after or even before the security. The sockets are also free to use and compatible with European and UK plugs for your convenience.
Smoking Lounge
Smoking is prohibited in London City Airport. But, you can find some designated areas for smoking for your convenience on the terminal building exterior.
Travel Assistance Throughout the Terminal
London City Airport assists disabled passengers, starting from car park to security clearance, baggage retrieval, immigration, and customs procedures. Also, the assistance extends to public transport at free of cost.
Family Services
London Airport offers various helpful services to families, which include:
Baby Change Facilities: The facility is available at the following locations- On Gate number 23 and 5, in washrooms on the side of Pilots Bar & Kitchen, and the washroom alongside Caffe Nero.
Fun Pack: You can ask for any staff assistance for a fun pack such as crayons, the deck of cards, word searches, and puzzles.
Children’s Play Area: You can take your children to the play area, which is accessible at Gate 5 and Gate 6.
Currency Exchange
You can access Travelex for currency exchange at different locations. The locations are at the departures after crossing the security checkpoint, on the domestic arrival concourse, and at the International terminal entrance.
Transfers from London City Airport to Central London
Situated in the Docklands area, London City Airport is the easiest and quickest airport to travel to central London via public transport. Let’s talk about what public transport option you have to travel to and from from central London to the London City Airport.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
With its own station as ‘London City Airport’, the Docklands Light Railway connects the London Underground network from the airport station at the following points:
Tower Gateway DLR: Change for Circle or District lines at Tower Hill tube station
Bank: Change for Northern and Central Lines
Canning Town: Change for Jubilee line
The train departs after every eight to fifteen minutes from London City Airport. The DLR trains operate from 5:30 in the morning till midnight and from 7 am in the morning to 11:20 pm on Sundays.
Taxi
You can find a long queue of licensed black taxis outside the terminal. Depending on your destination and traffic conditions, the metered fare would be 25-30 pounds approximately.
Bus
There are various buses running from the London City Airport to different parts of London. Bus 473 connects North Woolwich and Stratford with the airport. Also, Bus 474 and 300 can take you to Canning Town.
Car Rental
London City Airport also offers car rental services. The companies offering car hire services include Hertz, Europcar, Budget, and Avis. You can avail of the services from the car hire desks situate alongside the terminal building.
Car Parking
London City Airport also offers short and long-stay car parks just outside the terminal. Additionally, you can find a particular area for a business car park. To get a discount on your parking, it is recommended to book from their website.