Flying from London City airport

[Avlady]

We are going to fly from London city airport for a mini break. We are going to check a suitcase. Flying economy. How long before departure should we arrive at the airport?

It all depends how fine you want to cut it. I’ve done it in 15 mins before. But I’d say 45 mins so you can get a coffee.

I love City Airport about 40-45 mins, there’s no queue and the departure gates are all close by.

I love City, easy and very fast mostly. But they dropped the 100ml rule, you can now take up to 2l of liquid in your hand luggage.

It can mean they pull over more bags and check again. That took a while in October but the gates are all close together, there is not a lot of things to do anyway.

City Airport is the best. It's check in is swift and pain free. I'd give it 45 minutes and you'll still have time for a snack.

45 mins before departure?? That sounds crazy. Check with your airline what time check in closes. I'd aim for a while before as what happens if you get stuck in traffic etc?

Depends on the reliability of the transport you are using to get there! We always allow more time than the minimum - so at least one hour and have been there earlier. Just don’t like the idea of a last minute rush!

Checked in well in advance at LCY a few years ago. Our bags arrived two days later. I do like the airport, small and quirky.

Depends on the airline, but bag check often closes 45 mins before a short haul flight, so I would absolutely ignore everyone saying 45 minutes

Do what the airline tells you to.
Generally 2 hours beforehand.

City is great for getting through once you've dropped your bags, because it's small. Gates close usually around 30 minutes before take off, check in and bag drops much earlier.