Is premium passport control at Gatwick worth it?
Why is it more suited to those travelling without checked-in luggage? Premium Gatwick Passport Control guarantees you the quickest route through passport control via an exclusive lane. It does not mean that your bags will be delivered by your airline to the Baggage Reclaim area any quicker than usual.
It's worth it, IMHO. Just check it is definitely open before you book it, if the airport is under pressure they may need to use those resources.
We think so! Gatwick is always busy, a Fast Track pass allows you to get through the airport much quicker with no hanging around in the long queues. They are great for families with young children who might get fed up queueing or elderly passengers who might not want to stand for too long.
We advise that you arrive at least two hours before your flight to allow plenty of extra time to check-in and pass through security.
- Exclusive access to a dedicated fast track lane.
- Available at North and South Terminal.
- Breeze through security from just £5 per person.
- Book online to save £2 per person from the on the day price.
The Security Fast Track lane at Gatwick Airport is open from 05.00 to 17.00 and the Passport Control Fast Track is open from m 06.00 to 24.00. They are available in in both the North and South terminals.
How does it work? And, for just £5 more you can also upgrade to Premium Gatwick Security for your outbound journey. *If you are a non EU citizen, please make sure you have the necessary visas to enter the UK. **Open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
95% of non EU passengers are processed in 45 minutes or less.
The following times provide a general guide, but we advise you to arrive at least two hours before your flight to allow plenty of time.
What's new? We recommend you wear a mask at the airport.
Is it worth booking a lounge at Gatwick?
From my experience here, I would say it's definitely worth the surcharge, and if you will have more than an hour to kill at Gatwick and have a Priority Pass membership I would definitely recommend paying the pre-booked surcharge for this experience.
With Sky Priority, you'll enjoy faster check-in and accelerated security, early boarding, and expedited baggage service.

Boarding order
Active duty U.S. military with military I.D. *Eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers (on American Airlines flights) include: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard.
Apply for TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is one of a few government-run trusted traveler programs, designed to allow members to use expedited security lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports. With TSA PreCheck, you can speed through security without removing your shoes, laptops, belts or jacket.
Passport Control: Everyone arriving at Gatwick has to go through passport control. This can mean wait times of 5-20 minutes or an upwards of 1 hour depending on the amount of travelers.
The best times to visit the London Gatwick Airport rush hours is to travel either early in the morning or late night because that is the time when the normal traffic is asleep. The peak-times at Gatwick Airport in morning are from 7AM to 10AM and 4PM to 7PM in the evening.
Is Gatwick Airport busy? Generally, Gatwick is a busy airport. It is the second largest London airport and is also the second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, second in both of those categories to Heathrow.
When leaving the USA: TSA PreCheck. TSA Precheck is a service that allows some passengers departing from US airports to fast track the security screening process. TSA PreCheck is a purchasable pass and available for a number of low-risk travelers.
The security fast track passes allow travellers to access a dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint. This allows passengers to reach the departure lounge quicker and is open from 2.30am to 11pm. The passport control fast track is currently only available at terminal one.
PreCheck is a service that allows frequent, trusted travelers to move through airport security faster. Typically, members of the TSA PreCheck program don't have to remove their laptops and liquids from their bag, and nor do they have to take off their shoes.
How can I get through airport security faster UK?
- Have Your Documents Ready. You know you're going to need them, so have your boarding pass and passport ready well in advance. ...
- Arrive Early. ...
- Wear Easily Removable Clothing. ...
- Have Properly Packed Hand Luggage. ...
- Get a Fast Track Pass.
North Terminal now houses all of easyJet's flights as part of ongoing work to improve the services at Gatwick. Gatwick South Terminal deals with the majority of the airport's traffic and is the original terminal of the airport.
At check-in
That's 3 hours for long haul flights and 2 hours for flights to Europe.
Love our lounges
Access our airport lounges from just £29 and enjoy complimentary food, drinks, magazines and Wi-Fi for a little luxury.
- Premium Credit Cards.
- Priority Pass.
- Elite Status.
- Purchase an Annual Lounge Membership.
- Day Passes.
- LoungeBuddy.
- Super-Exclusive Lounge Access.
If you are over 12 years old, have a biometric passport, and are a citizen of the UK, EU, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States of America then you can use the ePassport gates when you arrive at Gatwick.
HOW ARE WE PERFORMING? During September, Gatwick worked with our airlines and handling agents to ensure 95.5% of flights at the North Terminal had their bags delivered within 55 minutes.
If you're a British citizen
You can use automatic ePassport gates at some airports if your passport has a 'chip' on it and you're 12 or over. If you're between 12 and 17, you must be accompanied by an adult. These gates use facial recognition technology to check your identity against the photo in your passport.
The peak times at London Gatwick Airport is from 7 AM to 10 AM in the morning and 5 PM to 8 PM in the evening.
Heathrow is London's (and the country's) main and busiest airport. Gatwick follows as the secondary and second busiest airport. Heathrow is larger and has better links in and out of the airport to Central London.
Is Gatwick Airport navigate easy?
With only two terminals, the airport is easy to navigate, but having a handy airport map with you can help you find what you're looking for.
You do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests or self-isolate on arrival in England if you qualify as fully vaccinated. The testing and quarantine rules for international travel to England will change 11 February 2022. You can now choose a lateral flow test or a PCR test as your post arrival test.
But going into 2023, a number of airlines around the world still require passengers to wear masks on flights. Additionally, even airlines that do not have a mask mandate may require passengers to wear a mask if their country of origin or final destination requires it.
We recommend getting to the airport three hours before your flight if you're travelling internationally, or two hours if you're travelling domestically or to Europe.
The Gateway Lounge - North Terminal
Add that little something extra to make your trip special. easyJet and No1 Lounges have created the 'destination' lounge at Gatwick Airport, so you can eat, drink and relax before your flight. Prices from £29.
Airport lounges are no longer just for first and business class travellers. That's right, nowadays even if you are flying economy and have absolutely no airline loyalty, you can pay to enter a new style of pay-per-use lounges.
- Use cards that give free lounge access. ...
- Buy a third-party lounge pass. ...
- Buy one-time access to a lounge for as low as $23. ...
- Find free access with the LoungeBuddy app. ...
- Get free access as an active military member. ...
- Get an airline or alliance lounge membership. ...
- Gain entry with elite points status. ...
- Gain access with your ticket.
TSA Precheck is a federally run program with dedicated, expedited security lines that are typically much shorter than the normal lines. You don't have to remove your coat, shoes, or belt, nor do you need to remove electronics or liquids from your bag.
Priority Security means a Security conferred by a Priority Security Collateral Document by the Company or any other Obligor to any holder, or representative of holders, of Priority Security Obligations upon any property or assets of the Company or such Obligor to secure Priority Security Obligations.
Priority Boarding is included in our Business Class fare. Priority boarders will be called to board first at the boarding gates, either entering through the chute first or travelling in a separate compartment of the bus that gives them first access to board the aircraft.
Can I buy priority boarding after checking in?
Economy passengers, including those with basic economy fares, can purchase a priority boarding add-on to enter the plane with Group 4. You can't purchase this upgrade during the initial booking process, so you'll need to add it during check-in, online or at the airport.
Naturally, the best way to get early and priority boarding for free is flying first or business class (and I discuss ways to get upgraded for free here). This will ensure you are among the first to board a plane, and you'll settle in fast.
Priority Boarding Fees
The price for priority boarding starts at around $10 and maxes out at around $30.
Yes. TSA PreCheck® is available when you depart from a U.S. airport to a foreign country, and for domestic, connecting flights after you return to the United States. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, consider enrolling in Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck®.
Unfortunately, the short answer is probably no, and TSA PreCheck is still the fastest way through airport security. Even if you qualify for, or pay for expedited security clearance, you're not likely to get through security faster.
Priority Security Clearance provides eligible customers expedited access to security screening via an exclusive access lane at the security screening points and times listed below. The service is available to: passengers travelling in Business Class and.
Special assistance help points for all those with a disability or mobility difficulties are located on both terminal forecourts, short stay car parks, stations, baggage reclaim halls and on some routes within the terminals where there are long walking distances. Assistance is free.
- Use cards that give free lounge access. ...
- Buy a third-party lounge pass. ...
- Buy one-time access to a lounge for as low as $23. ...
- Find free access with the LoungeBuddy app. ...
- Get free access as an active military member. ...
- Get an airline or alliance lounge membership. ...
- Gain entry with elite points status. ...
- Gain access with your ticket.
The Security Fast Track lane at Gatwick Airport is open from 05.00 to 17.00 and the Passport Control Fast Track is open from m 06.00 to 24.00. They are available in in both the North and South terminals.
These public lounges are open for all travelers at the airport, rather than exclusively alliance members and third-party program holders, such as Priority Pass. Internationally, Plaza Premium is a common lounge brand you'll see at many major airports.
Is it worth paying for lounge access?
A lounge can offer the perfect hideaway from the hectic nature of the airport. It's much quieter, and most lounges have comfortable, spacious seating — and plenty of it. You can also use the Wi-Fi and power outlets, so you're all charged up before boarding the plane.
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