London City Airport for private jets

Private jet London City Airport: flying from the heart of the capital

A private jet London City Airport departure puts you in the air from the Royal Docks, a few miles east of the City of London and within sight of Canary Wharf. No other London airport that handles business jets is as close to the financial districts, which is why it is so popular with bankers, lawyers and executives on tight schedules. The trade-off is that London City is an unusual airport, with a short runway, a steep approach and strict rules on which aircraft may use it.

The panels above list the airport's codes (EGLC and LCY), the nearby alternatives and the routes we quote. This guide explains the rules that make London City different, which jets can fly in and out, the jet centre's hours, and when Biggin Hill, Farnborough or Luton will serve you better. We are a charter broker: we do not operate aircraft, but we source them from vetted operators and help you choose the right airport for each flight.

Why London City Airport is different

London City was built in the Docklands, on a strip of land between two former docks, surrounded by the towers of Canary Wharf and the dense neighbourhoods of east London. That setting shapes everything about how it operates.

The steep approach

Aircraft landing at London City fly a steep approach of 5.5 degrees, roughly twice the angle of a standard approach, to clear nearby buildings and meet noise requirements. Each aircraft type, and each operator, needs specific approval to use it (AIN). Crews need training for the procedure, and the aircraft must be certified for it.

For passengers, the approach feels like a steeper descent than usual. For planning, it matters because it limits which jets can come in at all.

Approved aircraft only

The airport publishes a list of aircraft types approved for its runway (London City Airport Jet Centre). It includes regional airliners flown by the airlines, such as the Embraer E-Jet family and the Airbus A220, and a selection of business aircraft, including Cessna Citation models, some Hawker jets and turboprops such as the Beechcraft King Air. In late 2025 the Dassault Falcon 6X was reported as cleared for the steep approach, a sign that larger business jets can join the list over time.

The practical consequence is simple. If your trip needs a particular aircraft that is not approved, it cannot use London City, and we will suggest a nearby airport instead. If an approved jet suits your trip, London City can save an hour or more on the road.

Airline traffic

London City is primarily an airline airport, serving business routes across the UK and Europe. Private flights share the runway with those airlines and are processed through a separate business aviation facility, the London City Airport Jet Centre.

Jet centre opening hours

The Jet Centre's published hours are 06:30 to 21:30 Monday to Friday, 06:30 to 12:30 on Saturday, and 12:30 to 21:30 on Sunday (London City Airport). The airport as a whole has a Saturday afternoon closure period that reflects its agreements with the local community.

What that means for a private jet London City Airport trip:

• Weekday business trips fit well: an early departure and an evening return are both possible within the window.
• Saturday afternoons are closed. If you want to leave for the weekend on Saturday afternoon or return on Saturday evening, London City is not available. Biggin Hill or Farnborough are the usual alternatives.
• Sunday mornings are closed until 12:30, so a Sunday morning departure needs a different airport.
• Late arrivals after 21:30 cannot be planned at London City.

We confirm the current hours for every flight, and we keep an alternative in the plan for arrivals close to the evening cut-off.

Getting to London City Airport

The airport is only a few miles east of the City of London and very close to Canary Wharf. The map above shows the drive from the city centre. As general guidance:

• From Canary Wharf, it is a short drive, often well under half an hour outside peak times.
• From the City of London, allow about half an hour or more, depending on traffic.
• From the West End, the drive is longer, and for Mayfair or Kensington, Farnborough may be comparable.

The airport also has a rail connection via the Docklands Light Railway, and the Elizabeth line serves the nearby area, which can be useful for business travellers heading straight from the office. Most private passengers still arrive by car.

This proximity is the whole case for London City. For executives who work in the City or Canary Wharf, the time saved on the ground can be greater than the flight time to Paris or Amsterdam.

Which trips suit London City

Because of its aircraft restrictions and runway length, London City is best for:

• Short European business trips. Day trips to Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Luxembourg and similar financial centres, typically with light or midsize approved jets.
• Small groups. Most approved business jets carry a handful of passengers.
• Weekday travel. The jet centre's hours favour Monday-to-Friday schedules.

It is less suitable for:

• Long-haul flights. Transatlantic and Gulf trips usually need larger, long-range jets that are either not approved or cannot carry full fuel from the short runway. For the London to New York route, the London to Dubai route or other long-haul corridors such as London to Miami, London to Boston, London to Washington and London to Los Angeles, we usually plan departures from Farnborough, Luton or Biggin Hill.
• Weekend leisure trips. Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings are closed.
• Large groups with heavy luggage. The weight and space limits of smaller approved jets can rule them out.

For shorter European routes, such as London to Milan or London to Madrid, London City can be a good option if an approved aircraft is available. Our aircraft guide explains the categories.

London City compared with other London airports

The panels above give straight-line distances: Biggin Hill 11 nm, Luton 27 nm and Farnborough 34 nm from London City. The comparison usually comes down to aircraft and timing.

Consideration	London City	Alternatives
Location	Royal Docks, closest to the City and Canary Wharf	Biggin Hill is south-east; Farnborough south-west; Luton north
Aircraft	Approved steep-approach types only	Farnborough, Luton and Biggin Hill take a wider range of jets
Traffic	Airline-led, with a separate jet centre	Farnborough is business-only; Biggin Hill has no airlines
Weekend hours	Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning closed	Longer weekend windows elsewhere
Best for	Short weekday European business trips	Long-haul, weekend leisure, large jets

London Biggin Hill is the most common alternative for City clients, because it is also on the south-east side of the capital and accepts a wider range of aircraft. Farnborough and Luton complete the picture. Our London private jet airports page shows all of them on one map.

Arriving in London by private jet at London City

London City works just as well at the end of a trip as at the start. Inbound travellers heading for a meeting in the Square Mile or Canary Wharf can step off the aircraft, clear border checks in the jet centre and be at their desk within a short drive. For international visitors on a tight European tour, that makes London City a natural last stop before a day of meetings.

A few points to plan for on arrival:

• The approach is steep but routine for approved crews. Passengers notice a steeper descent than usual; it is a standard procedure for the aircraft and crews cleared to fly it.
• Weather can matter. Low cloud and strong crosswinds affect any short runway more than a long one. On marginal days the crew may divert to another London airport, and we arrange ground transport accordingly.
• Timing counts. Arrivals must fit the jet centre's hours, so a late departure from the Continent should be planned with a margin before 21:30.
• Border checks. Keep passports and any required travel authorisation ready; the handler confirms the process for your flight.

What a private jet from London City costs

The price of a charter depends on the aircraft, flight time and positioning rather than on the airport. At London City, the limited list of approved aircraft can narrow the choice, and the nearest approved jet may need to position in from elsewhere, adding cost. On the other hand, the smaller approved jets that suit short hops are often economical for a small group.

Airport and handling fees are included in the operator's quote. Our private jet cost guide explains how quotes are built and why estimates change as the details firm up. Every figure on the site is labelled as an estimate until an operator confirms a written quote.

If your timing is flexible, check empty legs. An approved aircraft repositioning into or out of London City can sometimes be booked one-way at a lower price.

Seasonality and busy periods

London City's private traffic follows the business calendar more than the holiday calendar.

• Weekdays: Monday and Thursday mornings, and Thursday and Friday evenings, see the most business demand.
• Conference weeks: major financial, industry and political conferences in European cities bring spikes in day-trip demand.
• Summer: leisure trips to the Mediterranean are less common from London City than from Farnborough or Biggin Hill because of weekend hours and aircraft limits, but short Friday departures remain popular.
• Winter: ski trips to Geneva or Zurich can work from London City on a weekday with an approved aircraft and modest luggage; skis and boot bags need space, so tell us early.

How booking a London City charter works

1. Tell us about the trip. Dates, times, passengers, luggage and your starting point.
2. We check the aircraft. We confirm which approved aircraft are available and suitable for your route and group.
3. We confirm the hours. If the trip falls outside the jet centre's hours, we propose an alternative airport.
4. You receive quotes. Clear estimates first, then firm quotes from vetted operators.
5. You travel. Arrive at the jet centre at the agreed time with your documents. Security and border checks take place in the facility.

Customs and immigration arrangements depend on the flight and the passengers. We confirm what applies to each international trip at booking.

Tips for flying privately from London City

• Check the aircraft first. If you have a preferred aircraft type, confirm it is approved before planning around London City.
• Watch the weekend hours. Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings are closed.
• Pack light. Smaller approved jets have limited baggage space.
• Leave from the office. For Canary Wharf and City workers, the short transfer is the main benefit, so plan pick-up times accordingly.
• Have a fallback. Biggin Hill is close by if a delay or schedule change rules out London City.

Frequently asked questions

Can private jets fly from London City Airport?

Yes, but only aircraft types and operators approved for the airport's steep approach. The approved list includes several business jets and turboprops. We confirm eligibility for your trip.

Why do aircraft need approval at London City?

The airport's steep 5.5-degree approach and short runway require specific aircraft certification and crew training. Each aircraft type and operator must be approved before using it.

What are the London City Airport Jet Centre's opening hours?

The published hours are 06:30 to 21:30 Monday to Friday, 06:30 to 12:30 on Saturday, and 12:30 to 21:30 on Sunday. Check current hours when booking.

Can I fly long-haul from London City?

Usually not. Most long-range jets are either not approved or cannot take off with full fuel from the short runway. We plan long-haul trips from Farnborough, Luton or Biggin Hill instead.

Is London City or Biggin Hill better for Canary Wharf?

London City is closer, but it limits aircraft types and weekend hours. Biggin Hill takes a wider range of jets and has longer weekend opening. The choice depends on your aircraft, group size and timing.

Plan your London City flight

London City is unbeatable for a short weekday business trip if an approved aircraft fits your group. For long-haul flights, larger jets or weekend timings, one of the other London airports is usually the better choice. Tell us your plans and we will recommend the right airport and aircraft. Use the quote form on this page, or return to our private jet charter home page and browse the route directory.