One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
LCY8.6+1.6
LHR7.0
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
LCY7.0
LHR7.2+0.2
Food & retail
Best for
LCY
City / Canary Wharf business day-trips on BA CityFlyer and European regionalsTravelers who value attached DLR over mega-hub shoppingLight-luggage short-haul within LCY’s steep-approach aircraft limits
Watch out for
LCY
No passenger lounge open yet (Aspire targeted early 2027)≤100 ml liquids still enforced despite CT leave-in-bag scannersSaturday afternoon–Sunday morning noise closure — no scheduled flying
Amenities and tips
LCY
London City Airport DLR stationNext Generation CT securityPriority Pass dining (Soul & Grain / Juniper)LCY Airport Free Wi-Fi
LCY · Docklands’ steep-approach city runway: DLR in the building, a tiny single terminal, CT screening that still enforces 100 ml, and no real lounge until Aspire’s early-2027 opening — unbeatable for Canary Wharf/City day trips, brittle when noise curfews or weather bite.
LHR · Heathrow is a four-terminal hub with official 2025 traffic of 84.5 million. CT scanners from 23 January 2026 let 2-litre liquids and laptops stay in the bag. Live Priority Pass is not No.1 in every terminal — T5 is Club Aspire, and T3 Plaza Premium on PP is arrivals only. There is no Chase Sapphire Lounge.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
LCY6.6
LHR7.5+0.9
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
LCY9.0+1.0
LHR8.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
LCY6.4
LHR7.0+0.6
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
LCY6.8
LHR7.4+0.6
Priority Pass dining credits at Soul & Grain or Juniper until the Aspire lounge opens
LHR
Fast rail to central LondonNew liquid-friendly securityExtensive free water accessBA long-haul hub
£8 / 5 min forecourt drop-off since 6 Jan 2026 (then £1/min, 10 min max)
LHR
Promising a T2–T3 airside walkway — official transfers are a free shuttleT4 multi-storey parking closed 23 June 2026 (Park & Ride Zone A only)T5 Priority Pass is Club Aspire, not No.1T3 Plaza Premium on Priority Pass is the arrivals room (06:00–14:00)Australia-bound flights still use the 100 ml liquids rule
Airside drinking fountain
Ride the DLR — skip the forecourt fee
Attached DLR Zone 3; Bank PAYG £3.90/£3.30; charged kerbside drop-off.
Keep bags packed — but still pack ≤100 ml
CT leave-in-bag process; classic 100 ml limit; no public Fast Track.
No lounge yet — PP is dining credit only
Aspire due early 2027; today PP = £18 at Soul & Grain / Juniper.
LHR
Heathrow ExpressFree Water FountainsNo1 LoungesReserve & Collect
Arrive 3 hours early for long-haul
New scanners reduce liquid hassle; queues still form at peak.
Confirm the terminal before you book a lounge
BA uses T5 and T3; Star Alliance mostly T2; T4 is its own bus/rail hop.
Reserve & Collect skips the airside queue
Reserve & Collect skips queues at popular airside outlets.
