▶️ Video Review: British Airways Cityflyer Service (Economy) | London City (LCY) to Barcelona El Prat (BCN) (Embraer E190SR)

[jwotravelexpert]

British Airways Cityflyer Service (Economy) | London City (LCY) to Barcelona El Prat (BCN) (Embraer E190SR)


Hi all,

A few weeks ago I flew British Airways CityFlyer from London City to Barcelona and wanted to share a full write-up and video of the experience for the Forum4Airports crowd. CityFlyer is often overshadowed by the mainline BA operation, but this flight was a great reminder of how refined short-haul flying can be — even in Economy!

Booking with Avios
This was an Avios redemption booked about two weeks in advance. London City flights tend to price attractively in off-peak times, and this was no exception.

• Avios used: 5,250
• Taxes/Fees: £47.50
• Aircraft: Embraer E190SR (G-LCYV)
• Cabin: Euro Traveller
• Flight time: 1 hour, 44 minutes

I booked this redemption very last minute, a few days before departure but availability on reward seats was still good.

Check-in & Security – a breeze out of LCY

London City is in a league of its own — no fuss, minimal walking, and smart use of space. I arrived just under 90 minutes before departure and was through security in under 10 minutes. The gate area was calm and organised, and boarding was via the apron, which always feels a little more special.

Cabin & Seat
CityFlyer’s Embraer E190s are configured in a 2-2 layout — no middle seats! — and the cabin was clean, comfortable, and quietly stylish. I was in Seat 6A, which offered a great wing view and plenty of natural light from the large Embraer windows.

The legroom was generous for a short-haul flight, and the overall vibe felt a step above typical Euro Traveller cabins. With around 80 passengers on board, it almost felt like a semi-private experience.

Service Onboard

The crew were excellent from start to finish — warm, attentive, and clearly proud of their work. BA CityFlyer offers a selection of three complimentary snacks and a drink in Euro Traveller, and unlike BA's mainline operation, all drinks inclusive of alcohol are complimentary. I went for Brewdog's "Speedbird OG", a transatlantic IPA, and as much as I don't particularly like Brewdog beer - this one was really nice.

Final Thoughts

BA CityFlyer continues to be one of the best-or-worst (for that matter) kept secrets in European short-haul. The combination of a quiet airport, small aircraft, and polished service makes it feel like a very different experience from the usual short-haul grind.

Would I choose this over a low-cost carrier? If you’re using Avios — absolutely. The value, comfort, and ease made this a genuinely enjoyable journey.

Full video trip report on YouTube:

Watch the full flight here:

Includes: London City Airport walkthrough, full seat and cabin tour, full snack service, and thunderstorm approach into BCN.

Happy to answer any questions from fellow Forums4Airports members — and let me ask, are you fans of London City, too?

 

[Aviador]

Thanks for sharing another fantastic #TripReport. BA CityFlyer deserves more attention, and you captured its charm perfectly! Your experience out of LCY sounds like a refreshing escape from the usual short-haul grind.

I’m especially intrigued by how the Embraer E190’s 2-2 layout and generous legroom compared to BA’s mainline cabins in Euro Traveller. Did it feel noticeably more spacious or premium? And the crew’s pride alongside complimentary alcohol in Economy is a game-changer? Do you think this reflects CityFlyer’s smaller-scale operations, or could BA be testing better standards here?

Major kudos on that Avios redemption 5,250 points + £47.50 for Barcelona from LCY is incredible value! You’ve convinced me: is CityFlyer a hidden gem worth prioritising.

Looking forward to watching your video (especially the Brewdog taste test - surprising it won you over). Safe travels on your next adventure and don't forget to report back to Forums4airports!