Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners) - Lufthansa Cityline LCY-FRA

I couldn't find much information on this service online. Now I have flown it I thought I would post the things I discovered that would have been useful to know.

- Baggage policies are the same as LH mainline. (I checked in a bag with combined linear dimensions of 155cm. The check in guy laughed at it but other than that no problems.)

- The check in agents at LCY are very good, and handled a complex multi-PNR problem for a later flight with no difficulty.

- No carry on checks, at least for *G, but that may have been because of a light load.

- Row 12 (exit) opens for *G at check in and has a great deal of extra leg room (similar to E+ on a UA763). You can see out of the window at this row, and although the view is obstructed a little by the wing it's not bad. You probably need to be in row 18 or higher for an unobstructed view.

- LCY is a great airport (the only line was for coffee).

- The inevitable bus ride through FRA gives you an unrivaled opportunity to almost be run over by an A380.

As I was on this flight this morning, I thought I do the:+1 thing. :D

Sorry I missed you! I need some FT tags.

As a SEN, you get a food/service voucher worth 10 Pounds I think. Nothing if you're any other *G member !

Don't worry! I was sitting behind you (silently swearing when you reclined your back rest) ... :-))

As a SEN, you get a food/service voucher worth 10 Pounds I think. Nothing if you're any other *G member !

10quid? Ha, if only ..... 4 lousy pounds it is....

As a SEN, you get a food/service voucher worth 10 Pounds I think. Nothing if you're any other *G member !

They gave me a £4 voucher (UA *G), but that's only good for one large coffee at LCY(!)

- LCY is a great airport (the only line was for coffee).

LCY is a dump. It's only redeeming quality is no body scanner.

LCY is a dump. It's only redeeming quality is no body scanner.


What?? :eek::eek:

IMHO LCY is easily the best London airport. OK, no lounges, but then it's not a hub so nobody should have to spend any great length of time there. Other than that:^^^

What?? :eek::eek:

IMHO LCY is easily the best London airport. OK, no lounges, but then it's not a hub so nobody should have to spend any great length of time there. Other than that:^^^

Hard to find many better airports anywhere in my view.

TXL and THF are/were pretty similar. Drive right to gate, go through security, board aircraft ^. Lounges available too.

LCY is a dump. It's only redeeming quality is no body scanner.

How many times have you been there?

LCY is by far the best airport in London and Europe (ok I haven't been everywhere, but I do not intend to either). There are no lounges at LCY, but the purpose of the airport is to give each pax a lounge feeleing anyway. Ok, food and drinks need to be bought seperately, but its just so conveniant to depart/arrive there, so don't blame LCY !

Hey mre5765, may I ask what went wrong for you @ LCY?

How many times have you been there?

LCY is by far the best airport in London and Europe (ok I haven't been everywhere, but I do not intend to either). There are no lounges at LCY, but the purpose of the airport is to give each pax a lounge feeleing anyway. Ok, food and drinks need to be bought seperately, but its just so conveniant to depart/arrive there, so don't blame LCY !

Hey mre5765, may I ask what went wrong for you @ LCY?

I was there in March 2011 for a day trip to London.

Cramp conditions beyond security, no place to sit, no fun when LH is running late.

It's a dump that makes the commuter terminal at SAN look good.

If that's the best airport in Europe (seriously, better than MUC?) then shame on Europe.

I was there in March 2011 for a day trip to London.

Cramp conditions beyond security, no place to sit, no fun when LH is running late.

It's a dump that makes the commuter terminal at SAN look good.

If that's the best airport in Europe (seriously, better than MUC?) then shame on Europe.

Alright, you have been there once. Come on guys out there in London, get out of the pub (its Friday night) and let this unfrequent LCY flyer know what its like there to go through the "hell" of LCY.

I - or Mrs Sperrgepaeck - have been going in and out of LCY almost weekly for about 2 years. The thing everyone on FT will acknowledge about LCY is that you save such an high amount of time - and time is money. Its not about the lounges or whatsoever. Its about having a smooth travel and being treated well be its airport staff. Short queue, short walks, fast immigration and friendly staff. Yes we all know LCY has a short runway, so in bad weather situations that can force delays and cancelations, but don´t we need irregs from time to time. Also fog in winter can become messy, but than on the good side those impressive approaches on a Friday evening over the City, passing by HSBC into the short runway with a full braking power. Or on departure, a zero loss on alignment, a brake release start with full throttle and then you really mean that LCY is a dump...?

Well let me think again, MUC, thats an international hub, thats not to be compared to LCY - a city airport build into the Woolwich harbour. Comparing MUC with LCY for its (shopping) qualities is like comparing the Dubai Mall with an Exxon petrol station and its attached liqour store in the outskirts of Colorado Springs.

Any way nevermind, next time you are out there send me a PM and I will buy you a drink.

LCY is a dump. It's only redeeming quality is no body scanner.

Fully agree!

Calling LCY a dump is the most stupid comment I´ve ever read on FT. Boy, and I have seen quite a lot of rubbish over the years. ;-)

Seriously, LCY today, is no longer as good as it used to be because it has become too popular. Mind you, it is still a *very* convenient airport to fly to and from and easily the most effective in the UK, on par with the very best in Europe.

DUS

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however I list below some of the pros and cons from the perspective of a weekly commuter to and from LCY:

* The contract staff that look after LH are wonderful. They recognise "us regulars" and always have a smile and warm hello. That they see you weekly also helps tremendously in the event of IRROPs.

* LCY does suffer from the weather in the winter -- key is to be aware that it does and accept it for what it is. I always check before I leave home if my inbound to LCY has departed, this gives me the option of re-directing the cab to LHR as my "alternate"

* LCY has at times been a victim of it's own success -- for example they didn't manage the transition to new security lanes very well last year which hacked off many of us regulars -- it was poor execution, no excuses

* I have been flying in and out of LCY regularly for more than 8 years now. No matter how many times I do it, the landing still makes my heart race with visions of skidding off the runway !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Airside can get crowded in the evening rush hour, although the opening of the new security lanes has provided more space. Comparing a little crowding against the the alternative for me (sit on a plane at LHR waiting for an extended period of time at the end of the runway to get a take off slot -- by virtue of it's small size, this cannot physically happen at LCY) I prefer the crowding

* The airside loos are terrible, they need to be ripped out replaced and they need more !!

* And the REAL winner for LCY ................ 90% of the time I am off my inbound flight, through immigration and customs and in a taxi in under 10 minutes. Beat that LHR !! (it takes 20 minutes the remaining 10% of the time because 2 flights land so close to each other)

* LCY to my front door is 30 minutes, whilst LHR is 1.5 hours

[ QUOTE=pdsuk;17856690]

* And the REAL winner for LCY ................ 90% of the time I am off my inbound flight, through immigration and customs and in a taxi in under 10 minutes. Beat that LHR !! [/QUOTE]

I couldn't agree more and would love to say "beat that ANY international airport!"... Well, yes, there are very good airports in the world but again, to call LCY a dump, IMHO, is ignorant at best...

[ QUOTE=pdsuk;17856690]

* And the REAL winner for LCY ................ 90% of the time I am off my inbound flight, through immigration and customs and in a taxi in under 10 minutes. Beat that LHR !!

I couldn't agree more and would love to say "beat that ANY international airport!"... Well, yes, there are very good airports in the world but again, to call LCY a dump, IMHO, is ignorant at best...[/QUOTE]

I agree with DUS... Ive been flying from lcy since it opened and since the dlr went through it has increase it pax enourmously. Also bear in mind when it was sold, it got funding to expand, much better lounge now.. But spare a thought for the lh employees who lost their job on the desk when lh closed it down. Ive known them for 12 years.
Btw, has anyone flown to nyc from lcy-ba, the return flight has to be the best ever...

Have flown from LCY a couple of times - to FRA and ZRG for connections

As a leisure traveller LCY is not designed for me so no mega shopping malls or large choice of places to eat but I'm not bothered - all I wanted was a cup of coffee ! But like business travellers I don't want to be hanging around for ages either.

But it does have short queues at check-in and at security and most of the pax know the drill re preparing for security so its a lot quicker.

Above all LCY was not designed to be a big airport with its limited numbers of flights and 1/2 days off on Sat PM and Sun AM !

Only 'problem' I have had at LCY was on arrival. Being the only pax with two heacy bags when virtually no one else had check bags did make me a target for the (very nice and polite) customs officers.

I'm flying LH LCY-FRA in early June on the 4:55pm flight. This thread is very helpful ^^

I usually fly through LHR, but as I'll be staying near the Tower Bridge (Hilton Tower Bridge), and the cost of the flight to FRA was the same (from any LON airport, LHR/LGW/LCY), figured I'd give LCY-FRA a shot.

How early should I plan to arrive? I was thinking of leaving the hotel around 2:30pm, probably by taxi, and I can't imagine it would take more than 30 min. Based on what I read here, I probably don't want to arrive too early, as there isn't much to do in LCY.

Is it always bus service at FRA to get in the terminal?

I've been on US E190's a few times, they are very nice aircraft, especially for express.

Anything else I should be prepared for?

I do have *G through US, but I certainly don't expect red carpet treatment. ;)

I'm flying LH LCY-FRA in early June on the 4:55pm flight. [...] How early should I plan to arrive? I was thinking of leaving the hotel around 2:30pm, probably by taxi, and I can't imagine it would take more than 30 min. Based on what I read here, I probably don't want to arrive too early, as there isn't much to do in LCY.What weekday are you flying? Monday to Friday could be a bit busier, but probably still less than 30 minutes.

You can also use Jubilee Line + Docklands Light Railway, which should take about 20 minutes from London Bridge station.

I would definitely not leave the hotel before 3pm, most likely around 3.20pm. This should still leave around 30-50 minutes buffer for things to go wrong.

LCY is great, but only as long as you don't have to spend too much time there! So no point leaving too early. Luggage drop-off is possible until 30 minutes before departure.

You can also use Jubilee Line + Docklands Light Railway, which should take about 20 minutes from London Bridge station.

Unless you have heavy luggage to carry with you, that´d also be my recommendation.

Chiming in for the LCY fanboys..

Having walked today over 25mins in CPH, tarting at the SAS lounge past millions of ridiculous shops until I finally finally reached my gate at the end of A, I thought to myself, what a great airport LCY is.

If I want to go shopping, I will go shopping.

When I am traveling I want to get from A to B without hassle, wasting time and additional stress.

Airports like LCY and TXL I just love.

Airports like LCY and TXL I just love.

I would add YTZ to that list as well, very similar to LCY ^

Airports like LCY and TXL I just love.

+1

LCY is as close to private aviation as you can get in London.

The location is also fantastic.

This is the only airport you can arrive at in the UK at T-45 and not be worried about missing your flight.

The location is also fantastic.
Depending on where you are coming from. ;)

This is the only airport you can arrive at in the UK at T-45 and not be worried about missing your flight.
Certainly in London but not sure about "in the UK". :)

Depending on where you are coming from. ;)


Certainly in London but not sure about "in the UK". :)

Good points.

I will take LCY over MAN any day however :)

I will take LCY over MAN any day however :)
Depending on where you are coming from. ;)

Not having to walk through a shopping mall to get to the gate is an advantage, however.

Not having to walk through a shopping mall to get to the gate is an advantage, however.

Agreed.

The all-in winner for shopping mall in Europe right now is CPH which even has an H&M now next to the lounge.

+1
This is the only airport you can arrive at in the UK at T-45 and not be worried about missing your flight.

LH and LX both offer 30 minute checkin at LHR (at least for C customers). Works fine for me.

That said, if you are in the right part of town LCY is unbeatable. However I prefer to fly into LCY and out of LHR, as even checking in 35 minutes before the flight at LHR I stop by at the lounge for a newspaper and prawn sandwich...

LH and LX both offer 30 minute checkin at LHR (at least for C customers). Works fine for me.

That said, if you are in the right part of town LCY is unbeatable. However I prefer to fly into LCY and out of LHR, as even checking in 35 minutes before the flight at LHR I stop by at the lounge for a newspaper and prawn sandwich...

30 minute checkin at LHR?? Wow- I didn't know about that. 1 hour at LHR is usually cutting it fine for me- and due to the number of transport delays arriving at LHR I would be a bit hesitant to cut it down to the line so much.

I actually like to fly into LCY and out of LGW- but that has more to do with the ease of getting to the First Capital Connect at London Bridge for me and then straight to LGW.

The all-in winner for shopping mall in Europe right now is CPH which even has an H&M now next to the lounge.
CPH seems better at hiding the gates than MAN but CPH has more interesting shops at least if you don't live there. ;)

30 minute checkin at LHR?? Wow- I didn't know about that. 1 hour at LHR is usually cutting it fine for me- and due to the number of transport delays arriving at LHR I would be a bit hesitant to cut it down to the line so much.

Yeah, 30 mins before departure for Business Class pax at LHR is "madness". It might be ok for the 6am flight to ZRH when there is hardly any delay at the security screening but at any other time of the day??? And, depending on the departure gate and the necessary half marathon to the gate, 30 mins all in is, I repeat myself, madness. :-)

What weekday are you flying? Monday to Friday could be a bit busier, but probably still less than 30 minutes.

You can also use Jubilee Line + Docklands Light Railway, which should take about 20 minutes from London Bridge station.

I would definitely not leave the hotel before 3pm, most likely around 3.20pm. This should still leave around 30-50 minutes buffer for things to go wrong.

LCY is great, but only as long as you don't have to spend too much time there! So no point leaving too early. Luggage drop-off is possible until 30 minutes before departure.

Unless you have heavy luggage to carry with you, that´d also be my recommendation.

The flight is on a Tuesday, although it looks like it is a bank holiday (along with the day prior). We'll be in London to watch the Royal Regatta on the Thames (or attempt to).

Depending on schedule (with the bank holiday transit may have limited schedules and could be rather crowded), may try the Tube/DLR or just go with a cab. We've done Tube to/from LHR with luggage and it isn't too horrible. At least coming in you're nearly guaranteed to get seats.

Closest station from Tower Bridge should be either "Tower Gateway" or "Shadwell" and take about 20 minutes. From Tower Gateway you might have to change trains. Check in usually closes 20 minutes before departure (and 30 minutes should be more than enough).

The airport offers nada - as such you might want to budget a little extra time in case something goes wrong - but certainly no time required to "explore" the airport. No lounge (unless you're on the LCY-JFK flight), very little shopping, over priced coffee/sandwich outlets.

Closest station from Tower Bridge should be either "Tower Gateway" or "Shadwell" and take about 20 minutes.Closest to the Hilton Tower Bridge is - surprisingly - the underground station "London Bridge".

Closest to the Hilton Tower Bridge is - surprisingly - the underground station "London Bridge".

This is absolutely correct -- come out of hotel, cross road, walk a little, turn left into tube station, take jubilee line to canning toen, change to DLR

LH and LX both offer 30 minute checkin at LHR (at least for C customers). Works fine for me.

That said, if you are in the right part of town LCY is unbeatable. However I prefer to fly into LCY and out of LHR, as even checking in 35 minutes before the flight at LHR I stop by at the lounge for a newspaper and prawn sandwich...

Is that 30 minute actual "check-in" (as in having an annoying conversation with someone sitting behind a counter refusing to give you a boarding pass unless you surrender your precious carry-on to the care of any number of baggage barbarians along--or quite possibly not along--your journey) or 30 minutes from door to gate holding an online boarding pass?

Instead of fighting my way to LHR in a hurry, I've recently taken to staying at the Novotel near the airport the night before my flights. A-Club points can be turned into M&M miles.

With a boarding pass in hand, it usually takes me about twenty minutes to get from the bus to beyond security. Breakfast at the hotel is ridiculously overpriced, so I usually take a bit more time to have breakfast at the BMI lounge.

For LX it is 30 minutes from check-in for Business passengers, and 45 minutes for economy passengers.

On my last flight (LX325) I got off the underground 40 min before departure, checked in my bags 35 min before, used the fast track security, had a couple of prawn sandwiches & tomato juice in the lounge and made it to gate 40 something (miles away..) in time to join the back of the boarding queue for an on-time departure.

LH offer all customers a 30 minute check-in deadline, though they mostly use gates much closer to the security check.

If you have an online boarding card already printed you could theoretically arrive at the airport later, but anything later than 25 minutes before departure and you would be relying on a bit of luck to make the flight if it is ontime (as with no checked bags they are not going to wait for you)...

As you may be able to tell, I am a bit of a 'just-in-time' person, and fairly relaxed about it (even on non-changeable tickets) - sometimes my travel companions are a lot less relaxed ;) While Heathrow Airport is much maligned (mostly in the national press) I find the customer experience fine. The bulk of the problem is the fact that it is operating at runway capacity, which means delays and cancellations in case of anything out of the ordinary.

I really hope that BAA doesn't implement the BA-type conformance checks at the new T2, where you have to be at security by 35 min before departure or you are not allowed through.

I really hope that BAA doesn't implement the BA-type conformance checks at the new T2, where you have to be at security by 35 min before departure or you are not allowed through.

Well, it would at least make sure that every now and then some "just in time travellers" don´t delay the departure for 99.x% of the remaining passengers who made it to the gate early enough for an on time departure. ;)

No, that´s no reference to your style of travel, just a general comment.... At the end of the day, this could also be said about those who "maximise" their time in the lounges .... something I can sometimes be blamed for. :o

Closest to the Hilton Tower Bridge is - surprisingly - the underground station "London Bridge".

Sorry, you're right. I was thinking of the DoubleTree by Hilton which is North of the river.