Airports are busy, airlines are advising arriving at the airport early, and some lounges have yet to reopen. Here is our round-up of the current situation with lounges at Gatwick North. We will keep this updated as more lounges reopen.
If you are looking for advice on lounges at Gatwick South
Gatwick Lounges South Terminal
One bit of advice – if lounge access is important to you, don’t leave it to luck on the day, or rely on your membership of a programme. If the lounges are busy, then they will not accept your Priority pass card, for instance.
No1 Lounge North Terminal
Where is it? Airside. Once through security follow the signs to Airport Lounges. Once through the glass double doors, the lounge is directly in front of you.
Who can use it? Paid access for checked-in passengers, regardless of which airline you are flying with, or your class of travel. Some premium tickets will get you in free so check with your airline. Also cardholders of Wexas, IOU, Lounge Club, Priority Pass, Dragonpass and Diners Club.
What’s it like? See our review here. There’s a TV lounge, a bar, library area (no kids under 12 year old) and a range of seating options. Hot and cold food also included (one hot dish per person). There’s also a meeting room which can be booked in advance.
Are kids allowed? Yes but young kids must be supervised and under 12s are not allowed in the library.
Are groups allowed? Yes but you can only book up to eight people online and more than you have to ask for availability. Groups will be ejected if they don’t behave.
How long can I stay? Up to three hours before your flight departure time. You can buy additional time in advance, or on the day if needed.
You can leave and return to the lounge but you must take your luggage with you.
Dress Code?: Yes there is – smart casual. And specifically no tracksuits, no revealing clothes, no replica sports kids and definitely no fancy dress outfits so leave your Harry Potter capes behind.
Price? From £34. Kids go for half that price.
What shops are close by? A lot. Click here for the full list of places to eat and shop nearby.
Covid measures: Contactless reception, hand sanitiser available throughout the lounge and increased cleaning schedules.
Opening times: 4am-9pm daily.
Plaza Premium Lounge
Where is it? Airside. After security but on level 4. So turn left into the main departure lounge and follow the signs to the Lounge Pavilion. Take the lift to level four.
Who can use it? Paid access for any checked-in passenger regardless of the airline you are flying with or the class of travel. Some premium tickets will get you in free so check with your airline. DragonPass and American Express Platinum cardholders can access the lounge too. Not available to Priority Pass members.
What’s it like? This was previously the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge (Virgin left Gatwick in 2020 when the Pandemic struck – click here for the report). There’s snacks and drinks, a bar where you can have free alcoholic, soft and hot and cold drinks, buffet serviced food from around the world, runway views, a dedicated kids area, free wifi and lots of places to sit, magazines to flick through and plenty of points to charge your devices.
Are kids allowed? Yes and there is a zone just for them.
Are groups allowed? You can book for up to nine adults online but groups must be well behaved and not disturb other lounger users.
How long can I stay? You can stay for two hours but you can buy an extension of one hour for £10 if you need longer. Alternatively there is a three hour VIP package for £60 which includes unlimited Champagne and Premium Security.
Dress code? Yes. It’s quite relaxed but you can’t wear tracksuits and caps or sportswear like football shirts or anything with offensive slogans. And leave your fancy dress at home.
Price? £36 per adult. Child 2-11 years £28. Pre-booking online is cheaper than on the door. At the time of writing all bookings included a free glass of Prosecco for each adult (over 18s only).
What shops are nearby? Plenty. Click here for a full list.
Covid measures? Hand sanitiser available around the lounge, reduced lounge capacity to encourage social distancing and increased cleaning schedule.
Opening times: 5am – 8pm daily.
Clubrooms Lounge
(This lounge is temporarily closed but taking bookings from July 1, 2022)
Where is it? Airside. After security, follow signs to Airport Lounges then take the stairs (turn left at top) or lift to Level 1, where you will find the Clubrooms.
Who can use it? Any checked-in passengers over the age of 12 years old from any airline, and any ticket class can pay to get in. Some premium tickets will get you in free so check with your airline. Priority Pass, Lounge Key and Dragonpass cardholders can also access the lounge for an additional fee of £10.
What’s it like? For detailed info click here. This is the premium version of the No1 Lounges so you’ll get at-seat waiter service, with seasonal menus featuring local produce. There’s a fully stocked bar serving complimentary alcohol and soft drinks – and if you book online there’s a Champagne package for an extra £10.
Are kids allowed? Yes if they are over 12 years old.
Are groups allowed? Yes if you behave. You can book online up to a maximum of eight people per group. For nine or more in a group, you should get in touch for availability.
How long can I stay? Up to three hours before your flight departure time. You can buy extra hours on the day. You can leave and return as often as you like during your booking but you must take your luggage with you.
Dress code? Yes. Smart casual which means no tracksuits or flip flops, caps or replica sports kids, no offensive slogans or revealing clothes – including showing off your shoulders if you are a man or belly or upper thighs if you are a woman. And no fancy dress.
Price? From £38 per adult online.
What shops are nearby? JD Sports and Dixons are right outside. There’s a bar outside too – see the full list here.
Covid measures? All No1 Lounges have extra cleaning services and hand sanitiser.
Opening times: The Clubrooms Lounges at North and South Terminals Gatwick Airport were temporarily closed at the time of writing but were taking bookings from July 1, 2022.
The Gateway by Easyjet
Where is it? Airside – after Passport Control, turn left into the main departure lounge and follow signs for the My Lounge. The lounge is located on the left as you enter the Lounge Pavilion.
Who can use it? Those travelling with Easyjet can enter the lounge by showing their boarding pass. Priority Pass and DragonPass holders can also use it for free. Anyone else can pay for it.
What’s it like? This lounge is in partnership with No1 Lounges and opened during Covid in October 2021. You can read the news piece here. It is on the site of the old My Lounge, which is why the directions tell you to follow that sign. There’s wifi, magazines and newspapers, snacks and drinks, TV and fax machine as well as a games room for families. No showers.
Are kids allowed? Yes but under 12 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.
Are groups allowed? Yes but you have to behave considerately to other lounge users and only eight people can be booked online – more than that and you have to call up to check availability.
How long can I stay? You can gain access three hours before your departure time. If your flight is delayed you can still stay in the lounge until it’s ready to fly but this is only for people who have booked directly with easyjet (third party bookings are excluded).
Dress code? Smart casual so no sports kits or tracksuits, offensive slogans, fancy dress or revealing clothing.
Price? From £32 online but when I tried to book a week ahead it was £27.99 so you may get a deal. Children 2-12 years £18. Children under 2 years old get in free.
What shops are nearby? Plenty. Check out the list here.
Covid measures? Regular cleaning and hand gel available. Contactless reception. Staff wear masks and if you would like to then please do.
Opening times: 4am-4pm daily.
Emirates Lounge – North Terminal
Where is it? After security in the North Terminal in the airport lounges area.
Who can use it? Anyone travelling business or first class with Emirates. You can pay for access online if you are Emirates Skywards Blue or Silver or flying economy or business class special with the airline.
What’s it like? Large. And plenty of room for passengers on the two daily flights from Gatwick.There’s a fountain water feature and plenty of places to sit, as well as showers. There’s a full service bar and substantial buffet which has been plated up individually so you can just take the plate you like. There’s a sizable business centre. There is no separate first class area in the lounge.
Are kids allowed? Yes with adults.
How long can I stay? Up to four hours before your flight departs.
Dress code? Smart casual, which means no tracksuits or offensive slogans, caps, sports wear, revealing clothing (especially shoulders for men and midriff or upper thighs for women). No Fancy dress.
Price? The lounge is for Emirates passengers who are travelling first or business class but you can pay for access online for blue or silver skywards tiers. Gold and Platinum tiers have access and can take guests.
What shops are nearby? All the shops and places to eat in the North Terminal are listed here.
Covid measures? Regular cleaning and hand sanitiser.
Opening times: Current operating times 9.35am-1.35pm.
Felicity Cousins
