BA CityFlyer, a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways, was established on March 25, 2007, to operate services from London City Airport (LCY). The airline's roots can be traced back further to CityFlyer Express, a British Airways franchisee that operated from London Gatwick Airport in the 1990s and was later absorbed into mainline British Airways operations in 2001. BA CityFlyer was formed following British Airways' sale of its regional business, BA Connect, but retaining the London City Airport operations.
The airline's main operational base is London City Airport (LCY), known for its unique steep approach and proximity to London's financial district, making it popular with business travelers. In addition to London City, BA CityFlyer also operates scheduled and charter flights from other UK regional airports, including Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Glasgow Airport (GLA), London Stansted Airport (STN), and Belfast City Airport (BHD), primarily for leisure destinations. The airline's head office is located in Didsbury, Manchester, England.
BA CityFlyer exclusively operates a fleet of 20 Embraer E190 aircraft. These narrow-body, twin-engine jets are configured with a 2-2 seating layout, meaning no middle seats, which contributes to a more spacious cabin feel for passengers. The route network is focused on domestic UK and European destinations, catering to both business and leisure travelers, with popular routes including Edinburgh, Dublin, Amsterdam, and various seasonal holiday destinations across Europe. As an affiliate of British Airways, BA CityFlyer is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance. Notable services include two cabin classes, Club Europe (Business Class) and Euro Traveller (Economy), with both offering a complimentary full bar service, including spirits, which differentiates it from many other short-haul European airlines.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, travelers generally express a positive sentiment towards BA CityFlyer, often preferring it for short-haul European travel, especially from London City Airport. The airline is praised for its efficient operations, comfortable cabin environment, and the value-added complimentary onboard service. Despite some minor criticisms regarding cabin aesthetics and food consistency, the overall experience is often considered superior to many alternative carriers.
BA CityFlyer maintains a strong safety record, with no fatal accidents reported since its inception. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways, it benefits from the parent company's robust safety protocols and commitment to passenger safety, which has seen no fatal accidents on British Airways passenger flights since the 1970s. However, AeroInside lists several incidents involving BA CityFlyer aircraft, none of which resulted in serious injury or fatality. These include a near collision with a drone in 2015, a cracked windshield in 2017, bleed air and air conditioning issues in 2019, a burning odour in 2020, an engine shutdown in flight in January 2024, and a bird strike in May 2024.
The airline operates under a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence. As a European airline, BA CityFlyer adheres to the stringent safety standards and regulations set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). BA CityFlyer, like its parent company, is not included on the EU Air Safety List, which identifies carriers banned or restricted from operating within the European Union due to safety concerns.
BA CityFlyer's fleet consists solely of Embraer E190 aircraft, with a current count of 20 planes. The airline has a commitment to maintaining its fleet, as evidenced by a recent three-year contract signed with Exeter Aerospace for base maintenance activities on its Embraer E190s, effective from January 2025 until June 2027. While British Airways has a policy of keeping aircraft for their operational lives, rigorous maintenance and safety checks are continuously performed in accordance with international aviation regulations, ensuring airworthiness regardless of age.
Based on available data, BA CityFlyer demonstrates a positive overall safety assessment. The absence of fatal accidents, adherence to UK and European regulatory standards, and ongoing maintenance programs underpin its commitment to safe operations. No specific safety awards directly attributed to BA CityFlyer were found in the provided search results, though its association with British Airways, which has received safety ratings and awards, implies a shared high standard.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTM → LCY |
London City
London
|
160 | 190 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| EDI → LCY |
London City
London
|
85 | 338 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| LCY → EDI |
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
|
85 | 338 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCY → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
79 | 208 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCY → DUB |
Dublin Int'l
Dublin
|
73 | 298 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCY → BER |
Berlin-Brandenburg
Berlin
|
70 | 577 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCY → LIN |
Linate
Milan
|
64 | 595 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCY → IBZ |
Ibiza
Ibiza Island / Eivisa
|
57 | 876 mi | E190 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| LCY → GLA |
Glasgow Int'l
Glasgow
|
56 | 353 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCY → RTM |
Rotterdam
Rotterdam
|
53 | 190 mi | E190 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| LCY → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
48 | 473 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCY → FRA |
Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
|
48 | 385 mi | E190 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| IBZ → LCY |
London City
London
|
45 | 876 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BHD → LCY |
London City
London
|
44 | 327 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| LCY → FLR |
Amerigo Vespucci (Florence)
Florence (Firenze)
|
43 | 742 mi | E190 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| LCY → NCE |
Nice Cote d'Azur
Nice
|
40 | 637 mi | E190 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| FLR → LCY |
London City
London
|
34 | 742 mi | E190 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| LCY → PMI |
Palma de Mallorca (or Son Sant Joan)
Palma de Mallorca
|
33 | 837 mi | E190 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| DUB → LCY |
London City
London
|
28 | 298 mi | E190 | Dec 2, 2025 |
| LCY → AGP |
Malaga
Malaga
|
25 | 1050 mi | E190 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| JSI → LCY |
London City
London
|
23 | 1413 mi | E190 | Sep 15, 2025 |
| LCY → BHD |
George Best Belfast City
Belfast
|
22 | 327 mi | E190 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| ZRH → LCY |
London City
London
|
22 | 473 mi | E190 | Dec 4, 2025 |
| AMS → LCY |
London City
London
|
20 | 208 mi | E190 | Nov 20, 2025 |
| BER → LCY |
London City
London
|
19 | 577 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.