PASSENGERS can enjoy the first cable car flights across the Thames when they take off on June 28 at midday.

The new 1.1km river crossing will carry up to 2,500 people per hour, the equivalent of 30 bus loads, between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.

Oyster card users will be able to touch in for a five-minute single journey at £3.20 while a regular fare would set you back £4.30. Oyster travelcards do not cover the trip.

A panoramic non-stop return providing views of Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park will cost £6.40 with an Oyster card.

People planning to take regular trips can buy the "frequent flyer" pass which is £16 for 10 single journeys.

Public transport user Nathan Brenville, 28, from Brockley, said: "It sounds an exciting prospect, but the prices are as high as the cable cars themselves.

"Travelling in London on public transport is costly enough already.

"I can't see the cable car being used other than as a luxury."

The UK’s first urban cable car will be open seven days a week from 7am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm on Saturday and 9am to 9pm on Sunday.

Children under five can travel free and an under 15s ticket will cost £2.20 or £1.60 with an Oyster.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "On 28 June this spectacular new addition to London’s skyline will provide a much needed new river crossing in the east of our great city.

"It will open up access to jobs in the Royal Docks enterprise zone and attract businesses and investors to a previously under exploited area."

Emirates Airline has invested £36 million into the £60m project run alongside Transport for London.

President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark said: "The Emirates Air Line will bridge people closer, enabling them to discover, connect and express their ideas about this diverse city through crossing its majestic river, providing an incredible travel experience for residents, commuters and visitors alike."

Cable car facts

Maximum speed - 6 metres per second.

Capacity - 10 people per gondola (or four plus a bike).

Maximum passengers per hour - 2,500.

Travel time - Five minutes.

Height - 90 metres with views for 15 miles.