If you're looking for an airport lounge to relax in before a flight from London City Airport (LCY), here's the honest answer: the airport currently has no operational lounge inside its main terminal. This surprises a lot of travellers, especially those used to lounges at Heathrow or Gatwick. This guide explains exactly what's available now, what's changing, and how to get the most comfortable pre-flight experience at LCY as it stands today.
This guide was researched using official London City Airport sources and established UK travel-industry publications. Where information is uncertain or could change, that's flagged clearly rather than glossed over.
Quick summary: what's actually available at LCY right now
| Option | What it is | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Main terminal lounge | A traditional airside lounge with food, drink and seating | None currently operating |
| AeroSpa | A spa offering massages, facials, manicures and blow-dries | Operating, but it's a spa, not a lounge |
| Private Jet Centre lounges | Two paid lounges (Business and First Class) at a separate facility | Previously operated; the airport's own FAQ suggests this has been discontinued — confirm before booking |
| Priority Pass dining credit | Money off food and drink at two terminal restaurants | Currently available |
| Aspire Lounge | A new, purpose-built lounge in the main terminal | Under construction; opening early 2027 |
Does London City Airport have a lounge?
According to London City Airport's own FAQ page, the airport does not currently have an operational business lounge, though construction on a new lounge space is well underway, with an opening planned for early 2027. This is a direct, current statement from the airport itself, so it's the most reliable answer available. London City Airport
This is a genuine gap for a major airport. It's also consistent with LCY's long-standing identity as a "turn-up-and-go" airport built around speed rather than dwell time, as multiple travel publications have described it — passengers have traditionally arrived close to boarding time and headed straight to the gate rather than settling in beforehand.
AeroSpa: relaxation, but not a traditional lounge
You may see AeroSpa referenced online as a London City lounge. It's worth being precise about what it actually is. Based on the airport's own description, AeroSpa is a spa facility offering treatments such as deep tissue massages, hydration facials, manicures and pedicures, and blow-dries — not a lounge with complimentary food, drink and seating in the way most travellers understand the term.
If you're picturing a space where you sit down, eat, and use free Wi-Fi before your flight, AeroSpa isn't quite that. It's better thought of as a pre-flight treat if you want a specific treatment, rather than a general-purpose waiting lounge. Some third-party lounge-comparison sites describe AeroSpa as a DragonPass-accessible lounge with food and drink included — we couldn't verify this against the airport's own information, and it doesn't match how LCY itself describes the facility, so treat that particular claim with caution and check directly with DragonPass or the airport before relying on it.
What happened to the Private Jet Centre lounges?
For several years, London City Airport did offer two paid lounges — a Business Lounge (around £35 per person) and a more premium First Class Lounge (around £95 per person) — but these were located at a separate Private Jet Centre next to the main terminal, not inside it. Guests were taken there by a shuttle, and the First Class option included a private security channel and a car ride to the aircraft steps.
This option appears to have been discontinued, as the airport's website now confirms it does not currently have a business lounge.
This is a good example of information going stale online. Several lounge-directory and review sites still list the Business Lounge and First Class Lounge as if they're active, likely because they were well documented when they launched. Given the airport's own current statement, though, their status should be treated as uncertain. If you're hoping to use either of these, contact the airport or your airline directly to confirm they still exist before you plan around them.
Can I use Priority Pass or DragonPass at London City?
There's no lounge for either scheme to grant access to right now, but Priority Pass has arranged an alternative. Priority Pass cardholders — including some Amex Platinum and Amex Preferred Rewards Gold holders — can currently get £18 per person off the bill at the airport's Juniper & Co and Soul & Grain outlets by showing their Priority Pass instead of using a lounge.
This is a genuinely useful workaround if you have Priority Pass through a credit card, but it's a restaurant credit, not lounge access — worth knowing so you're not caught out expecting a lounge experience.
DragonPass status at LCY is less clear. Some third-party sites list AeroSpa as DragonPass-accessible, but as noted above, this doesn't line up with the airport's own description of AeroSpa as a spa. If DragonPass access matters to your trip, check directly with DragonPass's own lounge finder immediately before travelling.
The new Aspire Lounge: what's coming in 2027
This is the headline change for LCY. A new Aspire lounge is being built on a previously unused upper level of the terminal, accessed via a five-star hotel-like lobby within the departures area, with stairs and a lift positioned immediately after security and opposite Duty Free.
According to the airport and reported by Business Traveller:
- Features will include runway views, dedicated workspace with private booths, a centrepiece cocktail bar and barista station, and an evolving food and drinks menu inspired by London and travel.
- The lounge will be unaffiliated with any airline, meaning access won't automatically come from flying business class or holding airline status.
- Entry will be purchasable online or at the airport, with an annual membership option planned "in time."
- No partnership with schemes like Priority Pass or DragonPass has been confirmed yet — the airport has said customer access options will be confirmed closer to opening.
The lounge is being operated by Aspire, which runs lounges at several other UK airports including Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool John Lennon.
What's still unknown: exact pricing, opening hours, and whether lounge-membership schemes will get access. These details haven't been released yet, and it's more honest to say so than to guess. If you're planning a trip after early 2027, check LCY's official website closer to your travel date rather than relying on any figures quoted elsewhere.
Timeline: LCY's lounge story so far
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Private Jet Centre Business and First Class lounges open, separate from the main terminal |
| 2024 | LCY completes a £12 million departure lounge upgrade, adding new restaurants and roughly 30% more seating |
| 2026 | Airport confirms it has no operational business lounge; Aspire Lounge construction announced |
| Early 2027 | Aspire Lounge scheduled to open inside the main terminal |
What to do instead while there's no lounge
Until the Aspire Lounge opens, most travellers simply use the general departure area, which has had a recent refresh. Options inside the main terminal include:
- Seating — the 2024 upgrade added a meaningful amount of extra seating, addressing a common complaint about the old departure area.
- Food and drink outlets — the terminal has several options including Pret a Manger, Caffè Nero, Big Penny Brews, and the Juniper & Co and Soul & Grain restaurants (the two where Priority Pass dining credit currently applies).
- Wi-Fi and charging points — available throughout the departure lounge.
- AeroSpa — worth considering if you specifically want a massage or beauty treatment before flying, rather than a general seating-and-refreshments lounge.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a lounge at London City Airport in 2026?
No. The airport's own FAQ confirms it does not currently have an operational business lounge. A new lounge, run by Aspire, is under construction and due to open in early 2027.
What is AeroSpa at London City Airport?
It's a spa offering treatments such as massages, facials, manicures and blow-dries, based on the airport's own description. It's not a food-and-drink lounge in the traditional sense.
Can I still use the Business Lounge or First Class Lounge at the Private Jet Centre?
These lounges operated from 2017 onwards, but the airport's current FAQ page states it does not have an operational business lounge, which suggests this option has been discontinued. Confirm directly with the airport or your airline before relying on it.
Does Priority Pass work at London City Airport?
Not for lounge access, since there's no lounge to access. Priority Pass currently offers a £18-per-person credit at two terminal restaurants instead.
When is the new lounge opening at London City Airport?
Early 2027, according to the airport. Exact pricing, opening hours and access arrangements (including whether Priority Pass or DragonPass will work) haven't been confirmed yet.
Will I need airline status or business class to use the new Aspire Lounge?
No — the airport has said the lounge will be unaffiliated with any airline, and entry will be purchased directly rather than tied to airline status or cabin class.
A note on sources: information about London City Airport's current facilities changes as construction progresses and third-party lounge directories update at different speeds. The details above reflect the airport's own published statements and reporting from established UK aviation publications as of September 2026. For anything time-sensitive — pricing, opening dates, or scheme access — check londoncityairport.com directly before you travel.
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