The short answer
For helicopter charter in east London we normally use the Skyports heliport on the Isle of Dogs, 2.7 nautical miles from London City Airport and closest to Canary Wharf and the City. Both sites are pre-booked. The Isle of Dogs to central London takes about 10 minutes by helicopter and 36 minutes by road.
Flying from London City? Tell us where and when; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Airport
- London City Airport, Hartmann Road, Royal Docks (EGLC / LCY)
- Airport hours (as published, checked 29 Sep 2026)
- Mon to Fri 04:45 to 22:00; Sat 04:45 to 13:00; Sun 10:30 to 22:00; aerodrome hours differ
- Airport permission
- Prior permission and a slot for every flight; aircraft and company approval takes about 48 hours
- Heliport
- Skyports London Heliport, 188 Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs
- Heliport hours
- Mon to Fri 08:00 to 19:00 with 4 hours notice; Sat and Sun 09:00 to 17:30 with 24 hours notice
- Customs
- London City: on site with prior notice by 14:00 the day before; steep 5.5 degree approach
Where London City flights start and end
The map shows London City Airport and the other sites that serve London City, with range rings and the nearest cities. Pins with a page of their own are links.
The map draws a satellite picture, so it needs JavaScript and an internet connection. London City Airport is at London City Airport, Hartmann Road, London. Open it in Google Maps.
London City Airport
Choose a place
Hover, or tap, a pin for the details
Sites that serve London City
Hours, permission and customs are the airport's or site's published information, checked 29 Sept 2026. We arrange permission and confirm times with your booking.
London City Airport EGLC / LCY
- Address
- London City Airport, Hartmann Road, London
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
Mon–Fri 04:45–22:00; Sat 04:45–13:00; Sun 10:30–22:00 (local). Aerodrome Mon–Fri 06:30–22:00, Sat 06:30–12:30, Sun…
Mon–Fri 04:45–22:00; Sat 04:45–13:00; Sun 10:30–22:00 (local). Aerodrome Mon–Fri 06:30–22:00, Sat 06:30–12:30, Sun 12:30–22:00; customs with prior notice by 14:00 the preceding day- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- Yes – on site
- Runway
- 09/27 – 1,508 m × 30 m asphalt (grooved) – 5.5° steep approach
Skyports London Heliport (Isle of Dogs)
- Address
- Skyports London Heliport, 188 Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs, London
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
Mon–Fri 08:00–19:00 (minimum 4 hours' notice); Sat–Sun 09:00–17:30 by prior arrangement (24 hours' notice); public…
Mon–Fri 08:00–19:00 (minimum 4 hours' notice); Sat–Sun 09:00–17:30 by prior arrangement (24 hours' notice); public holidays by arrangement; out-of-hours landings by exception with 48 hours' notice- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
All landings pre-booked – arranged by Charter-A with your flight; weekend use needs 24 hours' notice. Some helicopter types are restricted because of the residential surroundings.
Map position is approximate.
Official websiteOpen in Google Maps
Two sites in east London, and which to pick
London City Airport is a short-runway airport with a 5.5 degree steep approach. Only aircraft approved for that approach may use it, there are no single-pilot operations, and every flight needs a slot and prior permission. The airport is closed from Saturday afternoon until Sunday 10:30. It is excellent for the right jet, and not a natural helicopter base.
The Isle of Dogs heliport, 2.7 nautical miles away, is built for the job. It is the only heliport east of central London, on the riverside at Westferry Road, with a small lounge rather than a full terminal. All landings are pre-booked, which we do for you, and some helicopter types are restricted because of the residential surroundings.
Journey times from London City Airport
The nearest places first, with the helicopter time against the car, taken from our route data.
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 9 nm (10 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 47 min (13 mi) | 34 min |
| Epsom Downs | 17 nm (19 mi) | 15 to 15 min | 1 h 07 min (26 mi) | 52 min |
| London Heathrow | 19 nm (22 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 10 min (38 mi) | 52 min |
| London Gatwick | 23 nm (27 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 10 min (48 mi) | 52 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 28 nm (32 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 27 min (50 mi) | 1 h 04 min |
| Cambridge | 42 nm (49 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 15 min (56 mi) | 47 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 46 nm (53 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 14 min (60 mi) | 46 min |
| Goodwood | 49 nm (57 mi) | 25 to 35 min | 2 h 02 min (90 mi) | 1 h 32 min |
| Silverstone | 53 nm (61 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 53 min (87 mi) | 1 h 20 min |
| Oxford | 55 nm (63 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 57 min (79 mi) | 1 h 24 min |
| Southampton | 63 nm (72 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 16 min (100 mi) | 1 h 41 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 83 nm (95 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 41 min (114 mi) | 1 h 56 min |
| Norwich | 84 nm (96 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 23 min (113 mi) | 1 h 38 min |
| Birmingham | 88 nm (101 mi) | 40 to 55 min | 2 h 34 min (129 mi) | 1 h 46 min |
| Bristol | 104 nm (120 mi) | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 19 min (148 mi) | 2 h 24 min |
| Cardiff | 127 nm (146 mi) | 60 to 70 min | 3 h 57 min (186 mi) | 2 h 52 min |
| Manchester | 140 nm (161 mi) | 65 to 80 min | 4 h 12 min (205 mi) | 2 h 59 min |
| York Racecourse | 153 nm (175 mi) | 70 to 85 min | 3 h 58 min (210 mi) | 2 h 40 min |
| Liverpool | 153 nm (176 mi) | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 18 min (223 mi) | 3 h |
| Leeds | 155 nm (178 mi) | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 11 min (213 mi) | 2 h 53 min |
| Aintree Racecourse | 161 nm (186 mi) | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 20 min (231 mi) | 3 h |
| Newcastle | 221 nm (254 mi) | 1 h 35 min to 2 h | 5 h 47 min (294 mi) | 3 h 59 min |
Times from Skyports London Heliport
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 6.3 nm (7 mi) | 10 to 10 min | 36 min (9 mi) | 26 min |
| Epsom Downs | 15 nm (17 mi) | 15 to 15 min | 1 h 04 min (26 mi) | 49 min |
| London Heathrow | 17 nm (19 mi) | 15 to 15 min | 1 h (23 mi) | 45 min |
| London Gatwick | 22 nm (25 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 07 min (48 mi) | 49 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 25 nm (29 mi) | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 17 min (34 mi) | 59 min |
| Cambridge | 43 nm (49 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 18 min (58 mi) | 50 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 47 nm (54 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 17 min (62 mi) | 49 min |
| Goodwood | 47 nm (55 mi) | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 59 min (90 mi) | 1 h 29 min |
| Silverstone | 51 nm (58 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 55 min (89 mi) | 1 h 22 min |
| Oxford | 53 nm (60 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 55 min (67 mi) | 1 h 22 min |
| Southampton | 60 nm (69 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 06 min (84 mi) | 1 h 31 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 80 nm (92 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 40 min (102 mi) | 1 h 55 min |
| Norwich | 85 nm (98 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 25 min (116 mi) | 1 h 40 min |
| Birmingham | 86 nm (99 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 37 min (131 mi) | 1 h 52 min |
Helicopter figures are typical block times: distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range. Road figures are free-flowing road times, a floor that real journeys rarely beat. Distances are in a straight line. Figures from our UK route data, checked 29 Sep 2026.
Canary Wharf, the City, ExCeL and the O2
Helicopter charter London City means the heliport serving the financial districts of Canary Wharf and the City of London, and the exhibition and arena venues at ExCeL and the O2. If you are hosting an investor day, a board meeting or an exhibition stand, a helicopter leg lets guests step out close to the building and leave the same evening.
For west and central London the pattern is different: the London Heliport at Battersea is 6.3 nautical miles from the Isle of Dogs and is run by a separate company. For flights from there, use the Battersea Helicopter London Heliport service. This site focuses on journeys beyond the capital.
Typical journeys out of east London
Helicopter and free-flowing road times from the Isle of Dogs:
- To Epsom Downs: about 15 minutes, against 1 hour 4 minutes by road.
- To Heathrow: about 15 minutes, against 1 hour.
- To Gatwick: about 15 to 20 minutes, against 1 hour 7 minutes.
- To Cambridge: about 25 to 30 minutes, against 1 hour 18 minutes.
- To Newmarket: about 25 to 30 minutes, against 1 hour 17 minutes.
- To Goodwood: about 25 to 35 minutes, against 1 hour 59 minutes.
See our pages on Epsom and Newmarket for race days, and Cambridge for the science and technology cluster.
London City Airport as a jet arrival point
If you are flying into London City by private jet, notice matters. Customs and immigration need prior notice by 14:00 on the preceding day, and hold luggage goes via the main terminal. Tell us the aircraft type, because only approved aircraft can use the steep approach. A helicopter from the heliport then takes you to a country house, a site visit or a second airport. For jet charter see Charter Private Jet.
Planning a London City helicopter booking
Give us the date, the passengers and their weights, and the destination. We check heliport notice (4 hours on weekdays, 24 hours at weekends, 48 hours out of hours), choose the helicopter and confirm everything in one quote. Arrive 10 minutes before departure, use soft bags where the hold is small, and treat any landing away from the heliport as subject to landing permission and site suitability. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. Browse same-day business trips, the London and Home Counties region page and our Southend page for the next airfield down the Thames.
Nearby airfields and heliports
Other sites close to London City Airport, with the distance in nautical miles. Chips with a link open that site's own page.
Frequently asked questions
Where do helicopters land near Canary Wharf?
At the Skyports London Heliport on the Isle of Dogs, 188 Westferry Road. All landings are pre-booked and we arrange yours.
Can a helicopter land at London City Airport?
Every movement needs a slot and prior permission, and the airport is geared to approved jets. For most helicopter work the Isle of Dogs heliport is the better choice.
What notice does the Isle of Dogs heliport need?
As published: at least 4 hours on weekdays, 24 hours at weekends and 48 hours for out-of-hours landings by exception.
Is London City Airport open on Sundays?
Yes, from 10:30 to 22:00 as published, but it closes from Saturday afternoon until then.
How long to fly from east London to Heathrow?
About 15 minutes by helicopter from the Isle of Dogs, against around an hour by road.
Do you fly from London City to Paris?
For central London to Paris flights, Battersea Helicopter operates from the Battersea heliport. Ask us if a point-to-point charter from east London suits you better.
