LONDON – The IFS Cloud Cable Car, a prominent feature of London’s transport network spanning the River Thames between the Royal Docks and the Greenwich Peninsula, is set to launch a new and potentially breathtaking attraction: the “Glass Floor Experience.”
This enhancement, designed to offer passengers an unprecedented downward view during their journey, will become available to the public starting Monday, June 23, 2025. Transport for London (TfL), which operates the service, has equipped two of the cable car cabins with reinforced glass floors, transforming the aerial transit into an immersive sightseeing opportunity.
Elevating the London Experience
First opened to the public in 2012 under its previous name, the Emirates Air Line, the cable car has become a distinctive part of the East London skyline. Serving as both a commuter link and a tourist attraction, it provides unique aerial perspectives of the rapidly developing areas surrounding the Royal Docks and the historic Greenwich Peninsula. The standard journey offers expansive views, and the introduction of the glass floor is intended to intensify the sense of height and proximity to the landscape below.
A New Perspective: The Glass Floor
The core of the new offering is the installation of transparent flooring in selected cabins. This technical modification allows passengers to look directly down through the cabin floor, adding a thrilling vertical dimension to the already panoramic views. The decision to retrofit two cabins specifically for this purpose indicates a targeted approach by TfL to offer a premium viewing experience.
Journey Details and Pricing
A standard one-way trip on the IFS Cloud Cable Car typically takes approximately 15 minutes. While the traditional fares remain accessible, the “Glass Floor Experience” is positioned as a distinct, higher-tier option reflecting the unique vantage point it provides.
Standard fares are currently priced at £7 for adults for a single journey (£13 for a return trip) and £3.50 for children aged 5-15 for a single journey (£6.50 for a return trip).
For the new “Glass Floor Experience,” pricing is structured with peak and off-peak rates. During peak times, which include weekends and school holidays, the cost will be £35 per adult and £17.50 per child (aged 5-15). Off-peak rates are set at £25 per adult and £12.50 per child.
Panoramic Vistas
The journey across the Thames offers striking views of London’s modern architectural landscape, encompassing the cluster of skyscrapers in the financial districts. From the cabins, passengers can observe the evolving urban fabric of the Isle of Dogs, the distinctive dome of the O2 Arena, areas of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and, most directly beneath, the flowing waters of the River Thames itself. The glass floor is expected to make the view of the river particularly dramatic, providing a direct, unobstructed look at the maritime activity and the water’s surface from above.
Booking and Promotional Offer
Tickets for the “Glass Floor Experience” can be booked online through the official channels. To encourage uptake of the new feature, Transport for London is offering a promotional discount. A 20 percent reduction in the fare is available for journeys taken between the launch date of June 23, 2025, and August 31, 2025. To claim this offer, passengers must book online using the specific promotional code ‘GFE20’.
Looking Ahead
The introduction of the glass floor cabins represents an effort by TfL to enhance the appeal of the IFS Cloud Cable Car, offering both tourists and residents a novel way to appreciate the city’s dynamic East End from above. This adds another unique element to London’s diverse array of attractions.
