Is London City Airport more convenient?

Major airports in London. In 2022, four of the airports in London served more than 10 million passengers: London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick, London-Stansted and London-Luton. While much smaller than the others, London-City is also worth mentioning as it's perhaps the most convenient London airport.



London City Airport (LCY) is widely considered the most convenient airport for travelers whose final destination is central London or the Canary Wharf financial district. Located in the Docklands, LCY is just a 20-minute DLR (Docklands Light Railway) ride from the City, whereas Heathrow can take over an hour. The airport’s biggest convenience factor is its "30-15" rule: the terminal is designed so that you can arrive just 30 minutes before your flight (if checking in online) and clear security in as little as 15 minutes. Its small size means there are no long walks between gates, making the experience much less stressful than the sprawling terminals of Gatwick or Stansted. However, there are trade-offs; LCY primarily serves short-haul European business routes and has a shorter runway, meaning you won't find many long-haul or low-cost holiday flights here. Additionally, it is prone to weather-related closures due to fog in the Thames Valley. For the business traveler or the time-sensitive tourist staying in East or Central London, the proximity and speed of LCY are unmatched by any other UK hub.

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Heathrow is by far the largest airport in London. When taking an intercontinental flight from the US, you will most likely end up here. Transportation to west and central London is cheaper and faster than from airports outside London due to the Underground connection.

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London City had over 4.5 million passenger movements in 2017. It is the fifth-busiest airport by passengers and aircraft movements serving the London area — after Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton — and was the 14th-busiest in the UK in 2017. In 2019, the airport handled over 5 million passengers.

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London City Airport was ranked best by the study, with the average queue lasting just 12 minutes. Half of travellers reported waiting between five and 10 minutes. It was also the only London airport where customers did not suffer any waits of more than an hour.

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London City has taken the crown as the UK's best airport for security waiting times, according to new research. A survey published today by consumer champion Which? showed that the Newham airport had an average queuing time at security of 12 minutes – well below fellow London airports such as Gatwick or Heathrow.

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Pass through security at least 20 minutes before your flight departs. Be at the boarding gate at least 15 minutes before your flight departs.

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Because of space limitations and just one, very short runway, large aircraft is not permitted to use the airport, which limits long-haul flight availability. The lack of space also means that London City Airport operates out of a relatively small terminal building.

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London City Airport (LCY) is the closest airport to central London, and it's easily accessible by Tube, bus or taxi. Because it's a smaller airport, arrivals and departures at LCY can be much quicker and easier than larger airports in London.

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London City Airport has a single 1,508-metre (4,948 ft) long runway, and a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P728) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers; this licence also allows training flights, but only for the purpose of training pilots to operate at this specific airport.

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'London's largest airport, Heathrow, is hemmed in by the suburbs and limited to just two runways,' he explains. 'Because it can't expand, the demand for air travel is met by smaller, single-runway airports around the South-East: Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Southend.

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British Airways is a British carrier. Frequent travelers give the airline an average rating of 7.3/10.

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What are the advantages of flying out of London City Airport? It is a small and compact airport. Even if it is super busy, chances are you'll make it through security in less than 15 minutes. If not busy, it might even be as little as five minutes from airport entrance to gate.

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Making the steep approach. The most unusual aspect of London City is the steep approach required for landing, with a rate of descent almost double that of other airports. This approach is at 5.5°, compared with a standard approach of around 3°.

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London City Airport (LCY) London City is the least busy of London's airports. It primarily serves business travellers as the airport operates only short-haul flights throughout the UK and Europe and is within close proximity to Canary Wharf.

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Aircraft Noise Pollution At City airport, more than 330,000 people are overflown by arrivals and 400,000+ by departures – all flying at a range of 4,000 feet or less. Noise readings of 70-75dB have been recorded outside houses on City airport's pre-landing approach (more than 6km out).

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Facilities at London City Airport (LCY) Free wi-fi for all passengers using the airport. Travelex currency exchange facilities. Cafes on the terminal concourse for pre-security snacks and a choice of pub food, gourmet sandwiches, American meals or baked goods when you head through the gates.

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A Visitor Oyster card can be delivered to your home before your visit, or Oyster cards can be purchased at all London airports and stations. Visitor Oyster card holders also enjoy a range of special offers and discounts across the city.

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