Background
A YouTube video review of this experience is also available here.
London City Airport (LCY) is interestingly unique in many aspects. Originally built to serve the needs of the point-to-point Canary Wharf banker with Europe's financial capitals, in recent years it has branched out to a small number of carefully curated higher-net-worth European leisure destinations (those places desired by wealthy but burned out city slickers, seeking weekend retreat).
Because of its location, London City Airport can only handle a small number of LCY-approved aircraft such as the Embraer E-Jets and Airbus A220. The steep approach and ascent also calls for specialist flight crew training and with some airlines, flying into London City is a 'Captain-only' affair.
The City airport used to have regular flights to New York, via Shannon, on a British Airways all-Business Class Airbus A318. This was scrapped during Covid however and won't be returning in the short to medium term, if ever. BA only ever had a fleet of two A318's for this route and both have since left the fleet - one scrapped, the other in service with ad-hoc charter airline, Titan Airways.
But, back to today's flight and we're flying from London City to Zurich on a Swiss Airbus A220. This is a frequent and popular service between the two cities and also offers a Business Class cabin, which is what we'll be testing today.
Check In
There is no other way to say this other than check in was a complete shambles and given that this was my first impression of Swiss Airlines at London City, we got off to a very bad start.
I have said it before and it applied again today, I always seem to have trouble getting a mobile boarding pass with any of the Lufthansa Group airlines. Whilst I did manage to check in using the mobile app, I couldn't generate a boarding pass, so even though travelling with hand luggage only, had to queue up for the one (yes one) check in agent - who was also checking in Lufthansa's flights to Germany.
In the end, check in took nearly an hour and by this time I was beginning to see why this airport doesn't have an airline lounge - you'd simply never have time to use it!
The security experience was also unpleasant. I got barked at for getting my electronics out which, as it turns out, isn't required if you are selected to go through the more modern 3D x-ray machine. But it's very random so until you reach the head of the security queue, you don't know what to do for the best.
The Lounge
There are no airline lounges at London City Airport, although pre-Covid they had been rumoured for around two years. At the time of writing, they remain a distant dream by airport management.
You can pay £95 to use the airport's Executive Jet Centre lounge, however at the time of this flight, it was still closed following the pandemic.
Boarding
Boarding was a simple affair and commenced about 15 minutes before departure time. Priority boarding was granted to those with Star Alliance status and for those with Business Class tickets. One or two people came forward without either and were quickly moved to the side to wait.
Boarding at London City is usually a simple walk across the apron to the waiting aircraft or at worst, a short bus ride to the plane.
Once onboard, I settled in to my row three seat. Swiss configures its A220 aircraft in a 2 x 3 setup with the adjacent seat always blocked when it's a Business Class cabin ie in front of the curtain.
The A220 features overhead screens every few rows and I really appreciate them. They show the usual flight progress on a moving map and other useful information.
The Flight
If there's one thing that must be tried at least once in life, it's an ascent out of London City Airport! Because of where the airport is, surrounded by tall buildings in amongst residential areas, climb and descent are taken at much steeper angles that most will be used to. Not for the faint-hearted!
Our flight today is a relatively short one hour and twenty five minutes and with some stunning views along the route, it goes by quickly. The cabin itself is comfortable and roomy.
Many people, including me, find the Airbus A220 the best regional airliner there is for spaciousness and a very modern feeling.
Breakfast service is swift (see below) and the crew member assigned to Business Class is welcoming.
Swiss A220's don't have wifi but my experience generally with Lufthansa Group wifi hasn't ever been that impressive. Unlike others flying out of LCY, I'm not overly worried about checking stock prices for 90 minutes!
Food and Drink
With just three of us in front of the curtain today, breakfast was served quickly and comprised of a delightful cheese omelette with stuffed tomato on the side, strawberry yoghurt and croissant, followed by the traditional Swiss chocolate and unlimited orange juice and coffee. Service was very attentive and as soon as I finished either drink, I was swiftly offered another.
I really enjoyed this meal and for just a 90 minute flight, was more than acceptable.
Arrival
With an on time arrival we were soon disembarked and I was pleasantly surprised to find a separate Business Class bus to take us to the terminal. I have experienced the separate premium bus with Middle Eastern carriers but not usually in Europe on short haul sectors.
With a warm welcome from the Swiss immigration agent, I was delighted to be in Switzerland once again.
Top marks here!
Verdict
This is a tough one to call in all honesty.
London City Airport sells itself as seamless and efficient. Today's experience was anything but. From check in to security, the whole thing just felt broken. London City Airport also lacks an airline lounge, but, the counter argument is that this was never an airport designed for anyone other than the time-pressed executive who quotes things like "pick the low hanging fruit" and "sell, sell, sell!".
That said, the Swiss on board experience was, as usual, excellent. With a decent breakfast and a happy crew member, combined with an on time arrival and separate bus for Business Class passengers, I couldn't fault the actual flight in any way.
In the 80's, the Canary Wharf-based "yuppie" would often say "time is money", but I'm not that person. Time to me doesn't equal money, but it does to the average user of LCY. When I'm spending my own cash, as I did here, I like value. The airport experience wasn't great and the lack of a lounge does make a difference.
The way I look at it is this: the Swiss experience is fine. But if you pay Business Class money at Heathrow, you're getting express check in, fast track security and a nice lounge with complimentary catering. At LCY you get none of this, but it's as close to London as airport's get. LCY is simply a choice of convenience over luxury.
Flight Facts
Aircraft Type: Airbus A220
Flight Duration: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Price: £135
Seat Configuration: 2 x 3 (with adjacent seat blocked in Business Class)
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