BA CityFlyer – London City to/from Edinburgh

by MilesFromBlighty

I went from the Hilton Dockside to City Airport. On public transport this is fairly easy. Bus to Canada Water, Jubilee Line to Canning Town and then the DLR to City Airport. The DLR (Dockland Light Railway) trips right in to the City Airport. City Airport is the smallest London airport, and is based in the east of the city and is aimed at the business traveller. It handles European flights and has the famous BA flight to JFK (via Shannon) as its only long haul service.

a sign in a building

Pick the correct platform

a train tracks through a window

Driverless DLR Train

The airport prides itself on its short queues, comfortable departure lounge and nice places to eat.

City Airport LoungeCity Airport LoungeThe queue was quite long when I arrived and it took 15 minutes or so to get through security. It was fairly early on a Saturday morning but was disappointing. The free WiFi in the lounge area was down as well. There are a selection of shops and eateries – including a very nice watch shop.

There are good views from the waiting area of the runways:

Another flight leaves City AirportThere are no jet bridges at LCY and so you walk to your gate and then walk out on the tarmac, and up the stairs to board the plane. On the way there the flight was full, except for three seats. On Saturdays BA fly a number of flights to Edinburgh – in fact 3 before 10am. When I asked about this I was told that they park the planes in EDI and sometimes use them for charters from EDI. London City closes from lunchtime Saturday to lunchtime Sunday and so I suppose BA make (or save) money by shipping them to EDI. The seating is 2-2 and the lockers take a wheelie, even though you have to put it long-side parallel with the aisle. There were no problems with bags.

On board the crew did a good job serving a hot breakfast to the nearly full plane – baked beans, hash brown, sausage, tomato and bacon. Plus a hot and/or cold drink.

We arrived on time, but at a remote stand which meant a delay of about 25 minutes whilst everyone got in to the one bus and then we were driven across the airfield to the domestic arrivals area.

Steps and Remote stand at EDI

Summary – a pleasant, on time flight from an airport that usually performs better than it did on this day.