Airport where security takes ‘just 9 minutes’ and planes are less than half full

This small London airport is said to be one of the best if you want speedy queues and half empty planes.

While most flights leave from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted and London Luton, there is an airport placed right in the middle of the capital.

London City Airport, located in the Borough of Newham, first opened in 1987 and is the smallest of the five London airports.

The only airport smaller is London Southend Airport which is so far east, many have argued it should not be considered a London airport.

But after flying from the airport, one passenger said it was “remarkably quiet” and that she only had “one complaint”.

Writing for MyLondon, Alya Zayed said: “As far as I’m concerned, City Airport is for business people wearing suits so they can fly to Europe and close business deals.

“Anyway, on the day of my trip, I left from my flat and travelled to City. The gloriously fast journey took just 20 minutes door-to-door. Unheard of when it comes to Heathrow or Gatwick from my end of London.

“As I queued up to get through security (I had hand luggage only so no checking in), the line moved remarkably fast. From joining the queue to leaving security, it took me nine whole minutes. Nine.

“That meant from leaving my house to getting to the departures lounge, only 28 minutes had elapsed. A new airport record for me.”

But with a small airport, seemingly comes a lack of food options, which Alya said offered “small portions”.

London City Airport’s range of restaurants and cafes include Cabin Bar, Brick Lane Brews, Pret a Manger and Cafe Nero.

But the biggest surprise appeared to be how empty the planes were, with Alya claiming it was only “40 percent full”.

The queue to board the plane was also “very quick” and allowed Alya to spend her time “leisurely” in the airport.