London City Airport
London, United Kingdom
London City Airport
Central London's compact business aviation gateway.
- ›The airport's runway is only 1,508 metres long, one of the shortest used by scheduled jet services in the world.
- ›Aircraft must use a steep 5.5-degree glide slope approach, roughly twice the standard angle, due to the airport's urban surroundings.
- ›LCY was the first airport in the world to offer remote digital air traffic control, implemented in 2020.
- ›The airport handled approximately 5.1 million passengers in 2019, its record year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ›Operating hours are restricted to reduce noise impact on surrounding residential areas, with no overnight flights permitted.
London City Airport opened in 1987 on a former docklands site in the Royal Borough of Newham, making it the closest airport to Central London. Known for its steep approach angles and short runway, it primarily serves business travellers and short-haul European routes. Its compact, single-terminal design allows for unusually fast check-in and boarding times, setting it apart from London's larger hubs.
- Main Terminal — A single, efficiently designed terminal handling all departures and arrivals, praised for its speed of transit from kerb to gate.
- Elizabeth line and DLR connections via Custom House and Woolwich stations
- London City Airport DLR station on-site, direct to Bank in approximately 22 minutes
- Uber and black cab taxis available at the designated taxi rank outside arrivals
- Bus services including route 474 connecting to nearby areas
- Car rental desks available within the terminal from major providers
- Cycle parking and Santander Cycles docking nearby
- Aloft London Excel
- Novotel London Excel
- ibis London Excel Docklands
- Crowne Plaza London Docklands
- Premier Inn London Docklands
Inside the terminal, options are limited but efficient, with a Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill outlet offering a notable dining experience alongside standard café and grab-and-go counters. The airside area has improved in recent years with better coffee and light meal options suitable for quick turnarounds. The nearby Royal Docks and Canary Wharf districts offer a wide range of restaurants just a short DLR ride away.
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure — security can queue quickly despite the terminal's small size.
- The DLR is the fastest and most reliable way into the City; avoid driving during peak hours due to heavy congestion.
- Steep 5.5-degree approach angles can make landings feel dramatic — this is normal for London City.
- Check in online to save time; the terminal is compact but can feel busy during morning business rushes.
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Stay, Eat & Explore: London
History and modernity on the Thames
- •Tower of London — A 950-year-old fortress guarding the Crown Jewels.
- •British Museum — Human history under one roof — from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures.
- •Buckingham Palace — The monarch's official residence; catch the Changing of the Guard.
- •Westminster & Big Ben — Parliament, the Abbey and the world's most famous clock tower.
- •South Bank & London Eye — Riverside culture mile from Tate Modern to Borough Market.
Getting around: The Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and iconic red buses cover the city; Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted link by express trains. Contactless payment works everywhere.
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London City Airport is an international airport in London, England. It is located in the Royal Docks, about 6 miles (10 km) east of the City of London and 3 miles (5 km) east of Canary Wharf. These are the two centres of London's financial industry, which is a major user of the airport. The airport was developed by the engineering company Mowlem between 1986 and 1987. The airport is owned and operated by London City Airport Limited.
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