London City is the small Docklands airport in the East End, a few miles from the City and Canary Wharf: it is the closest airport to central London. Opened in 1987 on a quay of the disused docks, it has a short runway between two basins of water, suitable only for medium-sized aircraft, and a spectacular steep approach. It is designed for business travellers: from entrance to gate takes just minutes.
Arrivals, departures and aircraft in flight
Below you will find today's arrivals and departures board, updated continuously, and a map of the aircraft flying right now within 110 km of the airport, with altitude, speed and distance. Times are UK local time.
Updated continuously. Always check with your airline.
Loading aircraft positions…
In red, aircraft below 2,400 m, that is taking off or landing. Open ADS-B data from adsb.lol (ODbL licence).
Getting to the city
- DLR, the driverless light railway: the station is attached to the terminal; Bank, in the City, in about 20 minutes, Canary Wharf in a few minutes with one change.
- Contactless cards work as on the Underground, at normal city fares.
- Elizabeth line: Custom House station is one DLR stop away.
- Taxi: the ride to the City is short and relatively cheap by London standards.
Practical tips
- Documents: most visitors need a passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for before departure (see documents and ETA).
- Drop-off and pick-up: almost every UK airport charges even for a short stop outside the terminal; pre-booked car parks are cheaper.
- Security: rules on liquids and laptops in hand luggage depend on each airport's scanners; check the official website before you travel.
- Payments: contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere, including on trains and buses.
To choose between the capital's airports see also London's airports. See also all UK airports, getting there and trains and transport.