London City changes (expect more from London City Airport this year)
Mar 22, 2014, 5:43 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South West
Programs: BAEC Silver. Tracking for TP run.
Posts: 150
LCY vs SOU vs LHR
not as sophisticated an analysis as the heading suggests but this week I flew for the first time from LCY. I flew to ZRH. I do normally fly from LHR not least because these days theonly flights I can get from SOU tend to be DUB.
At LCY Security was quick, though not as personable as SOU. Once through security I found airside at LCY to be quite claustrophobic, lots of pillars which obstructed my view and sense of direction, quite crowded, plus screens were small and weren't easy to spot.
I'm also quite interested in the concept of TATL flights from here, I'd imagined from posts on here it would be a bit more spacious and relaxed but I couldnt see where BA001 might start with delivering any sort of prestige environment. Maybe i was there at the wrong time of day...the "bunfight" environment makes the lack of lounge even more surprising to me.
Anyway,the bit that really clinched my opinion for me, is that despite intending to fly to ZRH, I somehow found myself handing over my boarding card and passport at "my" gate and VERY luckily being turned away from the FRA flight. I had to do a walk of shame to leave the queue and gate. I know exactly what happened- the screens and writing are so small (and my eyes are ageing) that I read across the wrong line of text. Started with Zurich, ended in Frankfurt!!
Anyway, after 20 years of flying for business, this was the first time this has ever happened to me , and because of that I think its related to the airport arrangements.
Have others a similar experience at LCY? ( maybe just me who was ditzy?)
CP
At LCY Security was quick, though not as personable as SOU. Once through security I found airside at LCY to be quite claustrophobic, lots of pillars which obstructed my view and sense of direction, quite crowded, plus screens were small and weren't easy to spot.
I'm also quite interested in the concept of TATL flights from here, I'd imagined from posts on here it would be a bit more spacious and relaxed but I couldnt see where BA001 might start with delivering any sort of prestige environment. Maybe i was there at the wrong time of day...the "bunfight" environment makes the lack of lounge even more surprising to me.
Anyway,the bit that really clinched my opinion for me, is that despite intending to fly to ZRH, I somehow found myself handing over my boarding card and passport at "my" gate and VERY luckily being turned away from the FRA flight. I had to do a walk of shame to leave the queue and gate. I know exactly what happened- the screens and writing are so small (and my eyes are ageing) that I read across the wrong line of text. Started with Zurich, ended in Frankfurt!!
Anyway, after 20 years of flying for business, this was the first time this has ever happened to me , and because of that I think its related to the airport arrangements.
Have others a similar experience at LCY? ( maybe just me who was ditzy?)
CP
Mar 22, 2014, 5:58 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: scotland/EDI
Programs: BAEC , M&M , VIRGIN FC , FLYING BLUE
Posts: 1,438
any flights I have had from LCY tend to have been at off peak times and although it lacks a lounge I find it to be quite a pleasant environment to sit and have a drink waiting for the flight
yes maybe the security staff are a bit dour [as we scots might say]
yes maybe the security staff are a bit dour [as we scots might say]
Mar 22, 2014, 6:14 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South West
Programs: BAEC Silver. Tracking for TP run.
Posts: 150
perhaps i should clarify further, not so much dour, and indeed pretty similar to LHR, but maybe thats my point, for a small airport, very stiff....as i do believe the staff can be personable without compromising on safety. I dont expect it at a big busy airport, but my comparison is SOU because its also small where the security staff are always engaged and engaging
Mar 22, 2014, 6:40 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
perhaps i should clarify further, not so much dour, and indeed pretty similar to LHR, but maybe thats my point, for a small airport, very stiff....as i do believe the staff can be personable without compromising on safety. I dont expect it at a big busy airport, but my comparison is SOU because its also small where the security staff are always engaged and engaging
Mar 22, 2014, 6:44 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 977
The planes have to rev up a lot to take off on the short runway and also to brake when landing. I had friends at Western Beach (end of the dock, west side) and you could here the noise from takeoff until it flew overhead. For about 15 seconds conversation was difficult if the windows were open - something they only discovered in the summer as the flat was on sale in the winter and viewings were cleverly arranged for Saturday afternoon when the airport is shut.
Visited a friend at an apartment next to the Excel centre and the planes were audible from the dock facing rooms with the windows shut.
I go to Thames Barrier park occasionally (next to Pontoon Dock) on a Sunday afternoon and you do hear the planes. I once went early midweek in the summer and was shocked at how frequently the planes landed and took off from there as the park was particularly quiet, but the whine of the jets surprised me. It's a bit muffled at first from the other buildings, but when it clears the sky it's loud. I don't mind as I like planes, but anyone that's noise sensitive won't.
Speaking of which, I believe LCY is trying to make changes to allow 50,000 more flights a year. The local residents are objecting, but if it doesn't happen now it will probably get passed in the future.
Visited a friend at an apartment next to the Excel centre and the planes were audible from the dock facing rooms with the windows shut.
I go to Thames Barrier park occasionally (next to Pontoon Dock) on a Sunday afternoon and you do hear the planes. I once went early midweek in the summer and was shocked at how frequently the planes landed and took off from there as the park was particularly quiet, but the whine of the jets surprised me. It's a bit muffled at first from the other buildings, but when it clears the sky it's loud. I don't mind as I like planes, but anyone that's noise sensitive won't.
Speaking of which, I believe LCY is trying to make changes to allow 50,000 more flights a year. The local residents are objecting, but if it doesn't happen now it will probably get passed in the future.
Mar 22, 2014, 7:29 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 4,029
I'm also quite interested in the concept of TATL flights from here, I'd imagined from posts on here it would be a bit more spacious and relaxed but I couldnt see where BA001 might start with delivering any sort of prestige environment. Maybe i was there at the wrong time of day...the "bunfight" environment makes the lack of lounge even more surprising to me.
It's not like a real lounge at LHR or LGW, but it sure beats being in the main terminal
Mar 22, 2014, 9:23 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze card, NHS Blood Donor silver card
Posts: 1,617
It's not quite dedicated: I've been on a GLA flight from gate 24 before. They take away all the goodies from the refreshment table and cover up the fridges - and as there are only 32 seats, most people had to stand. (Those who did get seats, however, were probably comfier than in the other gates!)
Mar 22, 2014, 11:02 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
Re the noise, and new development at Pontoon Dock. While helicopters are never permitted into LCY, there is helicopter noise in the area - the only helicopter route follows the river. Some of the military choppers are loud, and fly at night. This isn't specific to Pontoon Dock, it affects any property near the Thames.
When I become Mayor, the first thing I'm doing is banning these things.... :-)
When I become Mayor, the first thing I'm doing is banning these things.... :-)
Mar 23, 2014, 4:29 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
It's not quite dedicated: I've been on a GLA flight from gate 24 before. They take away all the goodies from the refreshment table and cover up the fridges - and as there are only 32 seats, most people had to stand. (Those who did get seats, however, were probably comfier than in the other gates!)
Mar 23, 2014, 4:34 am
#41
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
Re the noise, and new development at Pontoon Dock. While helicopters are never permitted into LCY, there is helicopter noise in the area - the only helicopter route follows the river. Some of the military choppers are loud, and fly at night. This isn't specific to Pontoon Dock, it affects any property near the Thames.
When I become Mayor, the first thing I'm doing is banning these things.... :-)
When I become Mayor, the first thing I'm doing is banning these things.... :-)
Mar 23, 2014, 4:57 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
The LCY-JFK flights are, in contrast, intended for a different audience. My companion works with people who not infrequently use this flight. It's a case of start in the office; head off to LCY to get there about half an hour before the flight, arrive at the gate when boarding is in progress, get on board and resume working as soon as safety rules permit.
You don't need a prestige environment for this market; it's not interested. And the gate arrangement does cater well for those who get to the airport earlier and have some time to kill.
Mar 23, 2014, 8:23 am
#43
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SIN 5 days out of 7
Programs: BD*G, A3*G, BA-S, Accor Gold, IHG Amb
Posts: 5,505
I find it useful for morning departures where I'd rather spend the time in bed rather than trying to meet a 45 minute check-in/security cut off rule followed by a wait in a lounge (LGW/LHR).
Similarly, I don't like to wait around at LCY as I don't think there's much personal space to be had - it's often hard to find somewhere to sit in the evenings and I've never had success being productive whilst waiting...some of the loo's at LCY remind me of motorway service stations too.
If I know I'm going to arrive with plenty of time spare, I'll use LGW or LHR.
If my schedule makes me pushed for time, I book from LCY.
Arrivals are also faster at LCY - no need for the the wiggly walk or bus one gets at LGW and no need to worry about taxi times one gets at LHR (worse if you have hold luggage). The downside is then having to get to a the mainline railway station if going south (not bad if staying in London though).
I'm not overly fond of departing from Southampton although arriving is quick.
Last time I used SOU, the check-in systems had to be rebooted leaving me waiting around landside until the flight was ready to be manually processed. Left no room at all to be productive during the wait; not that there's many options airside anyway.
Mar 23, 2014, 8:44 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 315
LCY - great for when you actually need to get somewhere in London; and great for the 20:50 back to EDI for the drive home after a nice dinner at a sane time. It's just so much less fuss than any other London airport.
