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London City Airport review by David Nannett

23 July 2007   Customer Rating :

Nice airport - quick and cheap to get to, with a minimum of fuss at check-in, short distances to cover in the terminal itself and quick security checks. Additionally liked the fact that it isn't a shopping mall; personally I don't go to an airport to shop and would prefer not to have to waste more time in the airport than is strictly necessary. Note that the departure lounge does get very busy though and can feel somewhat claustrophobic. Overall, the most pleasant airport experience London has to offer.

London City Airport by review Geoffrey Wyndham-Jones

11 July 2007   Customer Rating :

Plus points: easy access by DLR, bus and car with covered walkways from the station and the car parks,; because of the size of the aircraft operated, no long queues at check-in; because most passengers are travelling on business, no baggage hold-ups and fast processing at check-in. Minus points: because the airport is operating at near capacity, the departure lounge is crowded and service is suffering (I gave up on breakfast having waited half an hour in the restaurant in the departure lounge with staff ignoring me); because of the layout of the airport, passengers are loaded in 'waves' to allow traffic to pass between the departure gate lounges and the aircraft; because the airport only has a single runway and lacks a taxiway, delays to departing aircraft whilst waiting for an incoming aircraft to land and taxi along the runway are normal. However, as the airlines 'pad' their schedules to allow for this, delays at departure are not normally translated into late arrivals at the destination. All in all, a reasonable airport, but starting to creak at the seams: infinitely preferable to any of the other London airports, however.

London City Airport review by Don Christian

20 June 2007   Customer Rating :

Several months since I used the City Airport, I thought I would try it again as an alternative to Heathrow and BA. Flew with VLM to Brussels - flight OK and good value at £109 rtn. Beware - it cost me £120 to park for the trip. I suggest that £30 per day in the long-term park is over- priced especially when it would have cost me about a third of that at Heathrow and Travelscene when booked in advance. I spoke to the VLM service manager who was most helpful and even sent me an email suggesting alternative parking at underground stations in the vicinity. VLM have lost me as a customer - back to BA and Heathrow for future trips.

London City Airport by Pierre Knoblauch

6 June 2007   Customer Rating :

Used London City the first time now and the first impression of the Airport is small. But the staff and agents are always friendly. Connections to the City are excellent. This wont be my first flight into London City!

London City Airport review by John Styles

6 June 2007   Customer Rating :

London City Airport Still the best airport by far in London, convenient location with fast and frequent access via DLR (get an Oyster card for the best fares). I usually fly KLM out of this airport and connect via Amsterdam Schiphol rather than face the hassle of using Heathrow. London City and Amsterdam make a great combination to get anywhere in the world with minimal hassle. Of course not all is good, the recent security rules mean if I'm packing deodorant or toothpase I need to check my luggage in, before that I never needed to use a check-in desk at the airport. Also because of the popularity of the airport it is now quite crowded at times, they need to expand the airport and do so quickly, either that or start to limit the new services being introduced at the airport. Due to competition on many routes it's now possible to get flights from city for as cheap as you can with Heathrow, however, that contributes to the overcrowding of the airport and unless they can expand capacity I'd prefer to pay a premium to use City rather than it becoming overcrowded with people who just used it due to a cheap flight deal.

London City Airport review by Steve Braithwaite

24 May 2007   Customer Rating :

Superb location and easy to get to with rail, road and bus links. Super efficent and friendly check in staff. The only airport in London that has smiling security and immigration staff. Wonderful air links and great choice of carriers. My only complaint is the lack of a Business Lounge - and this is merely because the number of passengers travelling through LCY is gradually increasing and their departure lounge can sometimes feel very small indeed. I read LCY is planning to expand - so let's hope they increase facilities and maintain their high standard.

London City Airport review by Jake Lawrence

24 May 2007   Customer Rating :

Having used LCY for a couple of flights to AMS now, I must confess that the wonderful stories everybody told me about it (and that I profoundly doubted) are true. It is just as you would like an airport to be: small enough that you do not need to care about walking distances, highly accessible via the DLR, very speedy security checks and very comfy lounge for the tens of minutes that you may spend there. Add to that a nice and clean environment with uniformed police (please don't be offended if that's not what you are!) in sight only once or twice, and not walking around showing off their big-shot toys like at so many other airports. There are however a couple of items that need some attention, and mostly that has to do with all of us enjoying the airport a bit too much: it gets crowded. It still doesn't compare to anything you will experience at any other London airport, but then again, that's the card that LCY is playing. I am very curious to see whether LCY will be able to grow over the next couple of years while maintaining its current level of attractiveness. Let's all hope for the best!

London City Airport review by Martin Brown

28 April 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

A very nice airport. It can be busy, but to be honest as checkin is so fast and security queue's so short, you don't need to be there too early. The carpark runs parallel to the runway, so as you walk along you can see planes land and takeoff, and if it's raining the walkway is under cover. Links to public transport are very good with a DLR station at the airport itself. Would use this airport again without hesitation.

London City Airport review by Neil Williams

20 April 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

Short security queues, friendly staff, easy check-in, easily accessible by DLR, clean, good seating, short walks, fast baggage retrieval, short passport queues and so on. I find it difficult to fault. Not only that, but it also has the wonderful feeling as you and at most 40-odd other passengers stroll the short distance over the tarmac and up the small, probably turbo-prop plane's steps, that you're actually flying 40 years ago when it was a bit special. I go out of my way to fly from LCY as opposed to LHR, LGW etc and will continue to do so. It amazes me that so many people cram themselves into LHR for European flights when this superb alternative is available not far away.

London City Airport review by Chris Denning

4 April 2007

I've used LCY a couple of times now to fly to Manila via Amsterdam. Absolutely brilliant being able to get there from my house in twenty minutes, as opposed to schlepping out to Heathrow or Gatwick. Check in times are mercifully short (usually about ten minutes instead of the chaos at the aforementioned other London airports). This is a perfect airport to depart from if you're Central London based and have a young family. The slightly higher fares for flying from LCY are worth every penny.

London City Airport review by Patricia Tales

13 February 2007

I used LCY today and found the whole experience far more comfortable and swift than using Luton or Stansted. The web checkin allows you to drop bags within 10 minutes of the flight departure. If you dont have access to the web, then the kiosks at LCY and Dublin will print out your boarding pass, and then you can drop off your bag. This meant that for an overnight in Ireland, I spent only 30 minutes travelling to the airport, arrived 1 hour before the flight departed (because you have to leave time for traffic jams) and the process was so fast that had I arrived at 10.10 I would have got through security without a problem. It shows first that the DLR seems to be a real asset, and two, that small airports are better geared to current security measures than the larger ones. Comparing the start of travel in UK to arrival in Dublin LCY and Stansted - 9am start with 7am start.

London City Airport review by Ceri Vokes

27 October 2006

LCY is a cracking little airport. 20 mins from bank tube station, it is a compact, but highly efficient airport that beats the other London airports hands down. Waiting times are short for check in and security, and departure gates are a short walk. OK, so the shops are fairly non- existent post security but given you can check in much later than at other airports, who cares? Departure lounge gets pretty busy as 5.00pm approaches. On my return to LCY, I was first off the plane and in the time it took me to walk to baggage reclaim barely breaking stride at passport control, my bag was on the baggage reclaim belt - fantastic. If it were not for (generally) the higher cost of flying from LCY, I'd always fly from this airport for European flights!

London City Airport review by Neil Williams

28 September 2006

A superb little airport - easy to get to with the DLR, short queues and pleasant staff.

London City Airport by Brian Murphy

26 August 2006

Recently flew through LCY on Air-France City Jet flight to and from Dublin. The airport is a pleasure to travel through. The speed of arrival of baggage was incredible and the overall business-like atmosphere in the airport is excellent. I found the arrivals and departures areas very clean and organized and one gets into London very quickly from this airport with the excellent London Docklands service. There is a good wi-fi service also in the terminal for internet connections. I would highly recommend this airport to passengers travelling to London from Dublin in Ireland, especially since the service is operated by Air France City Jet, which is a full service airline, and fits in very well with the overall image of the airport. One minor comment. There is a tendency for the airport to leave passengers waiting in a tiny area at the gate for a very long period of time. Perhaps this could be addressed. In addition, I agree with another passengers comment that sometimes the tables in the departures area upstairs are not cleaned often enough. Other than these suggestions, the airport is clearly moving in the right direction and is such a welcome change from the chaos of Heathrow. Well done overall to the authorities of this airport!

London City Airport review by Marybeth Richards

30 July 2006

A little bandbox of an airport, which may have surpassed the planners' expectations already. I flew from LCY-ZRH last month, and thought that because my flight left at 0840 the bulk of morning travellers would have departed - not so. The departures area was chockablock - the seats are comfortable, at least. Security was simple, checkin a breeze, and the fact that the airport is part of the DLR station is a huge plus. The concerns I had were that the departures area needs to be kept cleaner (either people need to dispose of their rubbish when finished eating or drinking, or another cleaner needs to be hired), and the waiting areas at the gates (before one walks outside to the plane) are quite warm - more HVAC, please! LCY is a great addition to the London airports, but I do think that more pax have been using it than was anticipated. With a bit of tweaking, it can remain a top notch facility.

London City Airport review by Keith Partington

9 May 2006

Despite meeting colleagues on many occasions previously, I used LCY myself for the first time for my flight to Bremen (using OLT) returning 3 days later. It is a very efficient airport; busy but not crammed and cluttered. Sadly, they play on their somewhat unique status when it comes to refreshments once in the departure lounge. £4.95 for a small glass of "vin ordinaire" was highway robbery! We don't all work in Canary Wharf for obscene salaries you know! Incidentally, OLT played their monopoly chip well too. Their "full fare airline service" on a cramped Saab 2000 was a cold drink and a packet of bread sticks. easyJet from LTN next time I think.

London City Airport review by Simon Ravindran

6 May 2006

Arriving from Frankfurt on British Airways it took exactly sixty-five minutes from reaching for my bag in the overhead bin to arriving at my house near Paddington station. This airport is great from an arrivals perspective; immigration took all of sixty seconds and I was out in the main arrivals hall. What makes this airport great is the new DLR link, which really makes things so easy. The trains are regular and connect with the Jubilee Line and Central Line Underground Services.

London City Airport review by David Jones

12 April 2006

I use this airport every week. It is a much easier place to get to than either LHR or LGW, being only about 30 mins from the city centre via Tube and DLR. Very easy check-in and good transit through security. Excellent, efficient restaurant (Meridian Line) and decent bar and restaurant airside. Downsides are inadequate lounge seating and sometimes very long walks to gates. Very highly recommended.

London City Airport review by Alan Wan

13 February 2006

Used the airport for the first time. Must say I was impressed very clean and decent facilities. The DLR was very efficient.

London City Airport by C Hesse

3 January 2006

Used the airport several times flying to Germany. Very efficient and now also benefiting from DLR station on site. Only drawback is the tight internal size of the passenger terminal, hopefully this will be expanded soon.

London City Airport review by Matthew Ross

1 September 2005

This is an efficient little airport and a great asset to London's business community. However, the opening of the Docklands Light Railway station (due in December 2005) cannot come a day too soon. Until then passengers will have to make do with the bus links, notably to/from Canning Town (Jubilee Line) Underground station. The DLR will allow fast access to the City of London and connections to the rest of the Underground system. Given that LCY is a fraction of the size of London's main airports the facilities are far more limited. Most passengers (mainly travelling on business) are not seeking to linger at LCY - from landing to exiting the airport can be very quick. LCY is the only London airport with flights to/from Dundee - a useful alternative to Edinburgh or Aberdeen for travellers to/from the east of Scotland.

London City Airport review by Max G Schmitt

31 August 2005

Nice, quick and efficient airport both arriving and departing, Transit links are quick and convenient - my personal travel time from and to LCY is half of that to LHR. The only disappointment was the lack of VAT reclaim forms or customs officials at LCY, so I could nor reclaim my VAT for the purchases made in the UK - which cost me in the vincinity of £ 90. Leads me to believe that business travelers, at whom LCY is mainly aimed, never buy anything in the UK and never reclaim the VAT.

London City Airport by Harry Albright

24 August 2005

I echo most of the positive comments about LCY. Once the DLR extension is finished in a few months it will be a quick, one train journey from Bank. Until then, take Silverlink to Silvertown and walk if you don't have too much luggage, or take the 476 London Transport bus. Not so impressed with the catering options though. Looked at what was available landside before settling on the Italian option airside. You get a good view of the runway, and nice touches like olives and breadsticks, but the food is so-so for the prices (£9 for a mediocre lasagne). Getting through the airport is a breeze, and for a non-European passport holder, it's great. For once I was through passport control before most of the Brits!

London City Airport review by Louise Scott

13 April 2005

London City is a very good airport, and certainly better for eating than larger airports such as CDG! The check in is quick and efficient, as is the processing of arrivals - much quicker than other airports! This airport has everything the larger ones have, just on a smaller scale, and also a "classier" air! For such a small airport it has a good range of destinations, including larger European cities such as Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam. And the steep descent over the Thames is a must try in a Fokker 50 turboprop!

London City Airport review by Owen Dawson

6 April 2005

A gem of an airport. Some of the previous comments are ridiculous - how can a tiny business centred airport be compared to the likes of LHR or LGW? And since when did the shops matter at an airport? Anyway, yes, the transport is a pain, and the shuttle bus is outrageously expensive. Once at LCY however, you can glide through the check in, have a coffee while watching little propellor planes land and take off and the view as you ascend / descend over London is an absolute joy.

London City Airport review by S Taylor

9 March 2005

I had the misfortune to try and get a taxi to Canning Town and was refused by 3 cab drivers who were very rude. Was it my fault they had waited for longer fares and even so there was no need to be so rude. They basically told me to get the shuttle bus, which was nowhere to be seen, and as it was a very cold night I wasn't keen on waiting for a bus. Otherwise a quick airport to get through though a lack of decent shops to browse.

London City Airport review by Paul Brady

9 March 2005

Its approx 7 miles from the city a taxi cost around £25. If you work near london bridge, then maybe its handier but London Heathrow is nearly 20 miles from the city of london. Gatwick is 30 miles. The transport links are not yet up to standard (until DLR is extended) but you'll still get there quicker than Gatwick or Stansted - even Heathrow, assuming your in the financial district.

London City Airport review by Peter Bedson

15 January 2005

LCY is a single tube journey (Jubilee line) to Canning Town and a 5 minute London Transport bus from the tube to the airport - don't use the dedicated shuttle from Canary Wharf or Canning Town unless extremely pressed for time as it is hugely expensive. Until the airport link is built DO NOT try and use the Docklands Light Rail as the walk is much much further than it looks and the station is deserted or scary particularly at night - even in summer. Really quick through the airport on arrival - literally 2 minutes and you are outside. Downside is that late at night the busses are few and far between and if you are on the last flight in at night and it is delayed you may not find any taxis either so you can be left with a very cold and lonely wait for a bus.

London City Airport review by Keith Angus

3 January 2005

I don't understand why people rave about LCY airport. I regularly travel from London to the Isle of Man, and having tried LCY twice, now stick to LGW. The reasons? LGW is much easier to get to from the City than LCY, given that you can get there in one train journey from London Bridge station in under 30 minutes, right to the terminal building. LCY is a few miles away from the city, so its name is a bit of an oxymoron, and getting there is a nightmare 3 stage journey involving two tubes and one bus journey. Completely unintegrated - taking around an hour in all. All the airside shops at LCY are designer boutiques, and of no interest to me and other passengers (given they are empty). Also (crucially) at peak times the limited airside seating means you sometimes can't sit down! Not a good experience, and even though my regular flights are all short hops, LGW is a much better choice.

London City Airport by Charlie Somtam

6 June 2004

Living in Docklands, LCY is a dream for my bi monthly flights to Paris Orly (much easier than the horrendous CDG). LCY has got free parking if you fly Air France, very late check in and good facilities for such a small airport - a good way of avoiding Heathrow with LCY'S flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris (CDG) giving onward connection possibilities. Downside is food and drink there is expensive, there's a lack of frequent flyer lounges and the tax/airport service charge added to the airline ticket is high compared to the other London airports.

London City Airport review by H Vieira

28 April 2004

LCY is a small, efficient, clean and cosy airport. The best in the London area. It is ideal not only for short haul flights, but you may well fly KLM (KLM UK) or Lufthansa from LCY and connect through their international network in AMS or Frankfurt.

London City Airport by Perry Share

27 February 2003

London City is an okay airport. The nicest thing - I arrived 5 minutes prior to departure and was facilitated in catching the plane. The reason for this was that it took an eternity to get there from central London via tube and then a bus. Give yourself plenty of time!

London City Airport by Luigi Vallero

01 October 2002

Simply the best London airport. A small, cosy and comfortable terminal, top end facilities and extremely reduced check-in and baggage delivery times conjure up to grant to the passenger a real business class product, as it was intended to be. And while landing in LCY you can afford one of the most exciting views of London.

London City Airport by M Subramaniam

28 September 2002

A small airport ideal for short haul flights to Europe. Biggest advantage, slam bang next door to Canary Wharf. Mainly used by passengers for business travel, so quite unlikely to run into families with bawling kids on tow.