London Gatwick Airport is one of the major international airports serving London, United Kingdom. It is located about 30 miles south of Central London, in the county of West Sussex. The airport is situated near Crawley, West Sussex, and is easily accessible via train, bus, car, and other popular modes of transport.
In terms of size, Gatwick Airport covers an area of 674 hectares and has two terminals, North and South. The airport has a single runway, which is 10,879 feet long and is used for both takeoff and landing.
How to Contact the Airport Staff
You can personally meet the support staff at 8th floor, Destinations Place, South Terminal, Gatwick Airport, West Sussex RH6 0NP. To reach them over phone, dial 0344 892 0322. You can call the number for general information or for details on flight status. For lost property, we suggest you call 01293 223 457.
In terms of annual footfall, Gatwick Airport is one of the busiest airports in the UK and Europe. The airport served over 46 million passengers in pre-COVID times, making it the second busiest airport in the UK after London Heathrow.
Gatwick airport is popular for both business and leisure travel. It is a major hub for several low-cost airlines like easyJet and Ryanair, and also serves as a base for several international airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
The airport was first opened in 1930 as an aerodrome for flying clubs and private pilots. In 1934, commercial flights began operating from the airport, and it became an important hub for air travel to Europe and beyond. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing demand for air travel.
Overview of Terminals at London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport has two passenger terminals, North and South, both of which are well-equipped with a range of facilities to cater to the needs of travelers.
The South terminal is the larger of the two terminals and is used by many airlines, including easyJet, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. It has three levels and features a wide range of shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as a duty-free shopping area. Passengers can access free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, and there are numerous charging points for electronic devices.
The North terminal is slightly smaller but still has plenty of amenities for travelers. It is primarily used by airlines such as Ryanair, Emirates, and TUI Airways (British leisure airline). The terminal has two levels and many shops, restaurants, cafes, and a duty-free shopping area. Like the South terminal, here too, the passengers can access free WiFi throughout the terminal and find numerous charging stations at several points for their electronic devices.
Both terminals have excellent transport links to London and other destinations, with a range of options, including trains, buses, and taxis. They are also well-connected to the airport’s car parks, making it easy for passengers to get to and from their vehicles.
How to Check Arrivals and Departures
You can check the arrivals and departures at London Gatwick Airport by visiting the airport’s official website. It provides live flight updates. Just follow the steps given below.
- Go to www.gatwickairport.com.
- Click on the ‘Live Flights’ tab on the home page.
- Enter your flight number, airline, or origin/destination city (depending on arrivals or departures) to check the status of the flight.
- The flight’s status, including estimated arrival/departure time, gate number, terminal, and baggage claim/boarding information will be displayed immediately.
You can also get to view the departure information on the display boards at several places inside the airport. Families and relatives who come to receive their guests at the airport can check out the arrival information on the display boards outside the airport.
Alternatively, you can also check arrivals and departures using a third-party flight tracking website or apps, such as FlightAware or FlightRadar24, which provides real-time flight information for Gatwick airport and other airports around the world.
Lounges at London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport offers a range of lounges for passengers to relax and unwind before their flights. There are several types of lounges available, check them out below.
Airline Lounges — Many airlines offer their own lounges at Gatwick Airport. These are available for their premium class passengers or members of their frequent flyer programs. The lounges offer a range of amenities like comfortable seating, food and beverage options, WiFi, and business facilities.
Independent Lounges — The independent lounges are accessible to all passengers of all airlines, irrespective of the class they fly, for a fee. You will get the same hospitality and amenities as other lounges.
Pay-per-use Lounges — Priority Pass is a membership program that provides access to a network of over 1300 lounges worldwide, including several lounges at Gatwick airport. Members can access these lounges regardless of the airline they are traveling with and can enjoy amenities such as food and beverage options, WiFi, and showers.
Priority Pass Lounges — Some lounges at Gatwick airport also offer pay-per-use options for passengers who do not have access to an airline lounge or membership program. They can be booked in advance or on the day of travel, and offer a range of amenities like the rest.
For a happy break and some self-indulgence, check out the amazing a la carte dining at North Terminal’s Clubrooms, the Plaza Premium Lounge, and the Gateway Lounge. The No1 lounges at both the North and South Terminals are award-winning and come with a fully-tended bar, a quiet library area, and loads of seating options. The food and drink options are unmissable too. Check out My Lounge in the South Terminal for its tasty snacks, games, and complimentary WiFi facility.
Amenities and Facilities Available
A wide range of amenities and facilities are available inside Gatwick airport to make the travel experience comfortable, convenient, more fun-filled, and eventful for passengers. Some of the key ones are listed below.
Shopping — Shopaholics and window shoppers can never have a dull moment inside Gatwick. They have a range of destinations to choose from to find an excuse to shop for themselves, family, and loved ones — duty-free shops, fashion boutiques, souvenir stores, and convenience stores. The high-end shoppers will also find their favorite luxury brands like Chanel, Burberry, and Harrods inside Gatwick.
Restaurants and Cafes — Food lovers are also spoilt for choice. There are several fine-dining restaurants and international cuisines to select from to satisfy taste palates — passengers can choose from British, Italian, Asian, and American. There are also many cafes, fast food outlets, and bars available to grab a quick bite and down a few drinks when you are in a hurry to catch a flight. A few to suggest would be Starbucks, Costa, Nando’s, Caffe Nero, Yo! Sushi, Wagamama, etc.
Lounges — As pointed out in the previous section, Gatwick Airport has several types of lounges for passengers. If you are looking for a quiet ambiance on a long layover, then perhaps the lounges will work best for you to let your hair down and catch up on some me-time. A few lounges provide access to all travelers, no matter which airline or class you fly. For a nominal fee, you will get access to food, drinks, shower facilities, WiFi, and a quiet ambiance.
Business Facilities — There are meeting rooms, WiFi, printing and copying services, and charging stations for business professionals inside the airport.
Airport Hotels — There are several hotels in close proximity to Gatwick Airport, offering convenient accommodation options for passengers with early morning or late night flights.
Children’s Play Areas — Parents and guardians need not worry about their toddlers and young ones, no matter how cranky they get. Dedicated children’s play areas are just the places where they will brighten up as they get to play in soft play areas, and activity centers, and indulge in interactive game sessions.
Facilities for Disabled Passengers — The airport is very accessible for disabled people. It has dedicated seating areas, wheelchair assistance, and accessible toilets.
Parking — There are several parking bays for short and long stays at Gatwick Airport. There are also valet parking options available.
Transportation — The airport has excellent transport links to London and other destinations, including trains, buses, and taxis.
