British Airways flights from London City to European destinations are operated by subsidiary Cityflyer with the Embraer E190 aircraft. This can be a much less stressful and more comfortable way to fly, as Simple Flying’s Justin Hayward recently found out.

Switching from LHR to LCY

This was not a planned trip for me, but one that was well received! I was booked onto a morning British Airways A320 flight from London Heathrow to Prague. This was during the cold weather and freezing fog that the airport was experiencing in mid-January. As I was anticipating disruption, I checked on my 10:00 flight at around 02:00 to find it had been canceled already. I prompted changed to a later departure, but by 07:00, this, too, was canceled.

British Airways proactively rebooked me onto an 11:00 departure from London City. With no other options that day from Heathrow, I took this up and rushed from Heathrow across to City Airport (relatively easy now using the Elizabeth Line almost all the way).

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

Departure from London City

I arrived at London City Airport just over an hour before departure, knowing that this would not be a problem. Check-in at the much smaller airport closes just 20 minutes before the flight (compared to 45 minutes for short-haul flights at Heathrow or 60 minutes at Gatwick).

There was no wait for check-in (staff even had plenty of time for a chat about the chaos at other airports), and clearing security took less than five minutes. Every time I have used London City, I have had a similar experience, and I keep telling myself to use the airport more often.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

The departure hall area is simple. There is no airline lounge available here, but there are plenty of places to buy a coffee and admire the views from the large windows. There are even power sockets on many of the seats. This is, of course, not an airport many people find themselves spending a great deal of time in, so it works just fine for a quick stop before the flight.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

As if to support this much more pleasant experience, the weather by this time in London City was spectacular. Clear skies made for some great views of the airport before leaving and across the city on departure. I couldn’t help but think of the chaos that would be going on with all the cancelations at Heathrow!

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

None of the gates are very far, and most have sitting areas by the large windows with great views of arrivals and departures. The E190 for Prague was already there, and we boarded just around 15 minutes late. Boarding at LCY involves a short walk across the apron to the aircraft. Unsurprisingly with the cancelations, the flight was full, and several passengers commented how they had rushed over from Heathrow.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

British Airways Embraer E190 and cabin

British Airways only operates the Embraer E190 (or ERJ 190) out of London City. Until 2021, it also operated the smaller E170, but these have now been replaced with an all-E190 fleet of 22 aircraft. Flights are operated by BA Cityflyer, a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways. Branding is the same as British Airways, however.

All aircraft have the same layout, with 25 rows arranged 2-2 across the cabin. Business class can be offered at the front with a flexible divider. There is no difference in space or legroom with any of the seats – except for exit row 12, which has extra legroom. This is a consideration if traveling business class / Club Europe as there is no difference in seating (on the Airbus A320 family, the middle seat in rows of three is blocked with a table divider added).

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

The seats used on the Embraer feel spacious and comfortable. The seat pitch is 31 inches, and the seat width is 18 inches. This compares very favorably with other European airlines in economy class; compared to British Airways’ A320 family aircraft, this is an inch bigger in each area. This does not sound like much, but it makes a big difference! There is also a larger tray table, with plenty of space to take a laptop and a beverage glass.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

BA Cityflyer service

There are big differences from the airline’s Heathrow and Gatwick flights here as well. The airline moved to a full buy onboard service several years ago (in line with many European full-service airlines), offering just water and a snack in economy class. Cityflyer, however, offers a complimentary bar service – you can have tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits. This is something many British Airways passengers miss, and it is strange that the airline thinks there is a place for it on London City services only.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

Arrival into Prague

The flight was quick and smooth, at just over an hour and half. A quick gin and tonic, some reading, and admiring the landscape becoming increasingly snow-covered, and we were there. Cityflyer uses a central gate in Prague, and we were through immigration and bag claim quickly. All in all, a great way to fly from London to Europe.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

Have you flown Cityflyer recently to or from London? What did you think of the aircraft and the Cityflyer service? Feel free to let us know in the comments section.