Is the IFS Cloud Cable Car running today?
This page covers the IFS Cloud Cable Car in depth — route, stations, history, step-free access and quirks. For the live answer right now, including the current TfL status (Good Service, Minor Delays, Severe Delays, Part Closure or Suspended) and any reported disruption, see the live network status board on the homepage. It's refreshed every 60 seconds from TfL Open Data.
Check live Cable Car status →- Opened
- 28 June 2012
- Length
- 1.1 km across the Thames
- Maximum height
- 90 m above the river
- Crossing time
- ~10 minutes (5 minutes peak)
- Termini
- Greenwich Peninsula ↔ Royal Docks
- Capacity
- Up to 2,500 passengers per hour
The IFS Cloud Cable Car — formerly the Emirates Air Line — is London's only aerial cable car and one of the most distinctive transport modes anywhere on the TfL network. It carries passengers in glass-walled gondolas 90 metres above the River Thames between the Greenwich Peninsula (near The O2) and the Royal Docks (near ExCeL London). Strictly speaking it's part of the transport network, but in practice it's used by tourists and event-goers more often than commuters.
Where it runs
The cable car runs in a single straight line across the Thames, between two terminal stations:
- Greenwich Peninsula — adjacent to North Greenwich Underground station (Jubilee line), The O2 arena and the Design District.
- Royal Docks — adjacent to Royal Victoria DLR station and a short walk from ExCeL London.
There are no intermediate stops. The crossing takes about 10 minutes at off-peak speed and around 5 minutes during peak operation when the cable runs faster.
A bit of history
The cable car opened on 28 June 2012, shortly before the London Olympics. It was originally sponsored by Emirates and branded the "Emirates Air Line" until April 2022, when the title sponsorship transferred to IFS Cloud, a US software company. Construction took 17 months. The system is built around four large supporting towers — three on the river itself and one at each terminus — and operates 36 cabins on a continuous moving cable.
How it works
The system is a monocable detachable gondola lift — the same family of cable car used at major ski resorts and tourist mountains around the world. Cabins are clipped onto a continuously-moving cable when in transit and detach automatically at each terminus so passengers can step in and out at a gentler speed. Each cabin holds up to 10 passengers, though typically fewer outside peak. The system was built by the Austrian manufacturer Doppelmayr, one of the world's leading aerial-ropeway specialists.
Is it part of the Tube?
The Cable Car is operated by TfL and appears on the Tube map, but it isn't included in the standard contactless pay-as-you-go fare structure. Cable Car journeys are charged separately, and there are different fares for standard "single" tickets versus discounted "frequent flyer" multi-trip passes. It is also not included in daily or weekly travel caps, and the Cable Car does not accept normal Travelcards.
Accessibility
The Cable Car is step-free at both terminals, and the cabins are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, buggies and bicycles (cyclists can travel with their bikes outside peak hours). The cabins move at a low speed through the boarding zone, so passengers with mobility needs have time to board safely.
Hours
The Cable Car operates roughly from 07:00 to 21:00 on weekdays, with later closing on Fridays and Saturdays (typically 23:00) and slightly shorter Sunday hours. Operation is weather-dependent — high winds and severe weather can cause closures, and TfL displays live status on the homepage when the service is suspended.
Common quirks
It's more tourist attraction than commuter route.The Cable Car is the only TfL service where the view is part of the experience. On a clear day you can see Canary Wharf, the O2, the Thames Barrier and far out into east London. For a tourist day out, it's one of the best-value short rides in the city; for a regular commute, it isn't typically the fastest option.
- Weather closures are real. The Cable Car closes in high winds — usually anything sustained above 50 mph. Always check live status before travelling, especially in autumn and winter.
- Combine with The O2 or ExCeL. Concerts at The O2 and exhibitions at ExCeL both generate spikes in demand — the Cable Car is a useful link between the two but can have queues at the start and end of major events.
- Sunset rides are popular. The Cable Car at sunset is one of the best (and most affordable) elevated views in London. The east-facing cabins look out over the Thames Barrier and the river estuary; the west-facing side catches the central London skyline.
Other lines
Guides
What every Tube status means
"Good Service", "Minor Delays", "Severe Delays" — what TfL's words actually translate to.
First-time guide to the Underground
How the Tube works for visitors and new Londoners — fares, platforms, etiquette.
Step-free Tube stations
The full list of step-free stations and what "step-free" actually covers.
Fares, zones and contactless
How TfL fares work, the zone system, and what to use to pay.
Night Tube — what runs and when
Which lines run overnight, on which nights, and how to get home when they don't.
Plan a journey
Door-to-door route planner across Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR, buses and walking.
Live TfL line status
Every line at a glance — links and status terminology, with the live status board one tap away.