Gatwick Airport

Probably the best Airport I've visited in my travelling so far. I couldn't find much wrong with it. The directions around the airport are clear, staff were polite enough to show me around when I had inquiries, the environment is neat, tidy and orderly, and even though it's an unbelievably massive establishment, I didn't get lost because of the ever-present signs and reminders of my location. I was able to charge my phone and laptop, eat my food while waiting for my flight, and do a little shopping too. After all said and done, this is one of those rare occasions where I give a 5star rating.

Arrival was smooth. However, because I saw sign boards inside the arrival hall for “no photography”, I assumed that photography inside the departure hall might be prohibited too (although I didn’t see it) - better safe than sorry 😁. Departure was also smooth. Waiting time was quite short during check-in. Selection of books was quite good at duty free. Although I wished they had more choices in non-fiction. Overall experience = 5 stars for Gatwick airport. Of course, it’s all my experience.

I used to reserve a special place in hell for CDG, but that has since been taken over by my dislike of Gatwick airport. Out the gate this airport is straight up disrespectful by making you pay to drop people off there???? I’ve never heard of something so dumb.

The airport seems to have a serious staffing issue, which is apparent in the long queues and general sense of chaos that pervades the main check in area. Things like hours long baggage unloading, missed flights even after arriving 3 hours early, and 50 people in line waiting for coffee all point to a need for more resources. The staff themselves were accommodating and extremely helpful, which is why this review gets 2 stars instead of 1.

Design of the airport is also lacking. The airport is designed so that once you go through security, everyone is pooled into a main waiting area instead of being by their gate. Even at non-peak hours, this seating quickly fills up. Additionally, those individuals amassed in the holding area end up swarming the few food and coffee restaurants in the airport, making for insane wait times and lines. They also have seating by the gate, but for some reason block it off and don’t let you go in until you are actively boarding. So you basically sit there for 30 seconds and then get on your plane. Seems like a waste to me and completely pointless.

It’s quite shocking to me that this airport design was approved. It does not seem optimal for the needs of travelers like space to sit down and wait for your plane, the ability to get coffee with less than an hour wait, and not having to queue for 2 hours to check baggage.

This place is literally falling apart. I understand that this is not the main airport of London but I expected better.
Chipped floor tiles, garbage all over the place, lack of sitting area and add late flights it’s picture of chaos here.
I given two starts because of decent food options and duty free shops. Avoid if you have other options available to you.

Good airport, lots of shops and facilities with a rail link to London and Brighton.

We flew out of the South Terminal and with Corendon Airlines. There was quite a long line at the baggage drop and there was only one person to check everyone in. Another person did arrive a few minutes later though, which sped things up a bit.

Security was quick and within a few minutes we were into Duty Free. All of the restaurants were quite busy, but it is the summer after all. There are shops such as WHSmith and Boots as well. There’s also place to fill up your water bottles after security which is handy. We were delayed by 2 hours and I’m not sure the reason for that (the airline didn’t say), which wasn’t great.

On our return the border lines were super busy, the main line was going up the ramp and only 3/4 of the 10 desks had people on it. Since we had an early flight, no-one wanted to be standing around in a line for 10+ minutes. It was a Sunday around 10am, so I was expecting it to be a bit faster especially around the weekend. Since we were in the line for so long our bags were already there which was good.

Overall it’s a great airport, but I was expecting it to be more slick on the border side.

This airport is quite dirty and has a noisy, unkept and rushed feel. It’s certainly not the best airport I’ve ever visited. The directions to check-in are not very clear and one is rushed through various checkpoints in such a manner as to make one feel stressed out, anxious and frustrated.
The flight departure gate information is provided at the last minute, requiring a fast walk to get to the gate on time to board.
The airport duty free shops are understaffed and the sales clerks are stressed out - they have to do stocktaking, put out new stock, carry out sales and assist customers simultaneously.
One shop was robbed while I was there as the sales clerk was occupied by customers when someone walked off with items.

I’ve never been off a flight and onto a train so quickly, especially at Gatwick! 15 minutes!!?? Absolutely awesome! I mean fair enough I only had hand luggage but even still I was expecting a much longer time wait. Fast, efficient and very friendly staff, I’m certainly going to make sure I choose Gatwick as my return airport from Ireland next time again for sure! Even the train was on time to London Bridge and so I was home almost within an hour of disembarking the flight. Unheard of and very welcome!! Top marks!! 👌🙏🙌

London's second largest airport, normally short haul to Europe but many long haul destinations departures too. Dropped wife's Auntie off for her flight to the USA. I'll be back to fly to the Spanish islands next Spring. Really easy parking in short stay £23 for 2 hours £8 for an hour. South and North terminals are linked by shuttle service. The railway station is from the south Terminal.