Planes Over London City Airport — What Are You Seeing?
Last updated: January 2025
London City Airport (LCY) is the smallest commercial airport serving London, handling over 1,500 flights per week. If you live in East London, Canary Wharf, the Docklands, or parts of Essex and Kent, you're likely under London City's distinctive flight paths.
Why So Many Planes Over London City?
London City Airport serves business travelers who need quick access to Central London. It's located just 6 miles east of the City of London, making it one of the closest airports to a major city center in the world.
What Makes London City Unique?
- Steep approach angle: 5.5 degrees (vs. standard 3 degrees) due to noise abatement procedures
- Smaller aircraft only: Embraer E-Jets and Bombardier CRJ series (max 50-90 seats)
- Frequent flights: Aircraft arrive and depart every 10-15 minutes during peak hours
- No night flights: Restricted between 23:00 and 06:00
Typical Aircraft You'll See
- Embraer E175/E190 — British Airways CityFlyer (the dominant operator)
- Bombardier CRJ-900 — Stobart Air / Regional operators
- Embraer E170 — Smaller regional flights
London City Flight Paths
London City has a single runway (10L/28R) aligned roughly east-west:
Runway 28 Approaches (Westbound)
- Arrivals approach from the east over the Thames Estuary
- The steep 5.5-degree descent means aircraft drop quickly over East London
- Common over: Tilbury, Rainham, Dagenham, Barking, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs
Runway 10 Approaches (Eastbound)
- Arrivals approach from the west over Central and East London
- Less common due to noise restrictions over populated areas
- Common over: Hackney, Stratford, and the A13 corridor
Departures
- Climb paths head east over the Thames Estuary (runway 28) or west over Central London (runway 10)
- Common over: Tilbury, Gravesend, and the M25 corridor
The Steep Approach
London City's 5.5-degree approach is one of the steepest for a commercial airport. This means:
- Aircraft descend more rapidly, reducing noise over residential areas
- Planes appear lower and closer than at other airports
- The approach is highly visible from Canary Wharf and the Docklands
- You may see aircraft banking sharply to align with the runway
How to Identify Planes Over London City
What Plane? shows the nearest aircraft on your iPhone home screen. At London City, you'll almost exclusively see:
- British Airways CityFlyer (CFE) — Embraer E175/E190 jets
- Stobart Air (TOM) — Bombardier CRJ-900 jets
- Loganair (LOG) — Occasionally on regional routes
The aircraft are smaller than at Heathrow or Gatwick, and the frequent arrivals/departures create a steady stream of traffic during the day.
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