London City Airport has announced plans to introduce its first luxury pre-flight hospitality experience, partnering with Aspire Pre-Flight Hospitality to create a premium lounge for passengers travelling through the airport.
The new facility is scheduled to open in early 2027, coinciding with the airport’s 40th anniversary celebrations and supporting its wider growth ambitions as it works towards handling nine million passengers annually.
Located within the departures area, the lounge will be available to any passenger wishing to upgrade their airport experience before departure.
Designed with a contemporary luxury aesthetic, guests will enter through a dedicated lobby inspired by five-star hotel arrivals, providing a seamless transition from security screening into a premium relaxation space.
The lounge will overlook London City Airport’s distinctive runway and feature a range of facilities designed to appeal to both business and leisure travellers.
Among the highlights will be a central cocktail bar, a barista station serving locally roasted coffee, and a food and beverage programme inspired by both London and international travel experiences.
Recognising the airport’s strong appeal to business travellers, the space will also include dedicated work areas, private booths and extensive seating options to support productivity and privacy before flights.
The project forms part of London City Airport’s ongoing investment in customer experience as the airport continues to evolve and expand its passenger offering.
Andy Cliffe, Chief Executive Officer of London City Airport, said: “Our partnership with Aspire Pre-Flight Hospitality has unlocked an exciting opportunity to bring this space to life at a time when we are growing and innovating across our business.
“The introduction of this exclusive experience is answering a clear demand from passengers and will elevate our unrivalled customer offer and reputation as London’s most loved airport.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Aspire Pre-Flight Hospitality on this project, who have a proven track record of designing and operating luxury lounges in airports around the world.”
Karen Cox, CEO United Kingdom & Ireland at Swissport International, added: “The pre-flight experience market is in high growth driven by the new demands of the discerning traveller. Aspire is leading the way, constantly innovating and improving its guest experience to reflect this.
“We are incredibly excited about this project and our leading hospitality credentials in this space make Swissport and Aspire the ideal brand to partner with. London City has an exciting growth trajectory, a talented team and we can’t wait to offer departing passengers and future guests a new pre-flight experience.”
The announcement reflects growing demand for premium airport hospitality experiences as travellers increasingly seek comfort, convenience and elevated service before departure.
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