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Original poster

If you have flown from Gatwick fairly recently

32 replies

opulentalligatorsalt · 06/05/2022 23:40

We are going on our first family holiday abroad in a few weeks - flying a few days before half term starts. I haven't flown in almost 7 years and am getting a bit anxious so trying to walk it through and work out the logistics. It'll be me, dh and our two boys who are just turned 5&7. We are flying with easyJet.

We are staying in the premier inn the night before which is right opposite the terminal. Our flight leaves at 7am and easyjet say their 'bag drop' opens at 5.

So my first question is, how long do we need to do all the airport bits? Should we aim to be at the airport for 5am? Bearing in mind we are staying pretty much nextdoor so no need to worry about traffic etc. We are not planning to have bags to check in as we can each take a big cabin bag and a small one too. We also have speedy upfront boarding. Is arriving at 5am too early? I literally have no idea how long anything takes. I guess we'd like time to buy breakfast to take on the plane or to have a quick bite before we board. But I don't want to arrive at 5:15 and be in at the gate at 5:30 thinking I could have had an extra hr in bed 🤣.

Secondly, we have not planned to check in any bags. This means we will have four large cabin bags - the max sized hard suitcases - and 4 largeish backpacks. The kids will take their backpacks but we will have to carry two roller suitcases each. Should we pay £30 each way to check in a larger bag? Is it worth it? Can we have a luggage trolley basically to the gate or will we be wrangling kids and suitcases the whole time? I'm not worried about space we can pack light, more just the logistics.

I'm really trying to be organised about this as it'll help me feel more relaxed so all your advice is very welcome. Thanks!

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 06/05/2022 23:44

Luggage wise - there is a maximum size for the rucksacks so make sure you check that. The rucksacks need to fit h see the seat by your feet.
there are no trolleys once you are through security so you will have to wheel your suitcases with you.

we checked in bags and then went and had breakfast . Time soon passed and it wasn’t long between finishing breakfast and going to the gate to board really.

lucea87 · 06/05/2022 23:50

We flew from Gatwick on Monday. Which Premier Inn is it? We stayed at Premier Inn East which although looked like the as practically on the airport was about 10 minute drive to parking.

There was a small queue at security, nothing major though and it wasn't heaving at all.

In terms of luggage, is 4 cabin cases & 4 rucksacks within your allowance? Some airlines only allow 1 bag per person. Personally I would take a checked bag. You won't be able to have a trolley to the gate or from the gate either.

I'm a planner and had a lot of anxiety about travelling (our baby is 6 months) so we got to the airport quite early, 4.5 hours before our flight (long haul) and had absolutely loads of time to have a leisurely breakfast, mooch about, feed the baby etc

Original poster
opulentalligatorsalt · 07/05/2022 07:09

Yes we can definitely have two bags each, it's an extra easyJet thing we paid for along with speedy boarding and upfront seats.

Good to hear about it not taking too long to get through. It's only a European flight if that makes a difference?

We are staying at the Premier Inn North terminal and flying from the North terminal too. I've done an aerial view on Google maps 🤣 and it's literally at the airport and you can see the terminal from the window!

OP posts:

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Flying Holidays
ShirleyPhallus · 07/05/2022 07:14

We flew from Gatwick recently and the security queue was horrendous, never seen anything like it. I’d pay the extra £5 to get through the speedy security queue.

Clymene · 07/05/2022 07:23

You can only take a luggage trolley as far as check in.

User1234567891011121314 · 07/05/2022 07:24

Hi we recently travelled to and from Gatwick and it was fine, I would personally check in 1 large suitcase and get to the airport at 530am. Gives you spare hands and time to eat breakfast win win. Enjoy!!!!

Clymene · 07/05/2022 07:31

Just be aware that most people will have paid for speedy boarding so get near the front of the queue so that you can put all your bags in the locker nearest your seat otherwise they'll end up putting them wherever they can fit them in.

I agree with pp that I'd check in a larger bag. I hate carting loads of stuff round the airport

Oblomov22 · 07/05/2022 07:31

We travelled from Gatwick to Majorca a couple of weeks ago and flew through bag drop, security and was out the other side early.

Oblomov22 · 07/05/2022 07:33

Almost half our flight had paid for speedy boarding so it wasn't just a few. The queues were the same length for both.

Fleurty · 07/05/2022 07:33

There are 2 premier inns at gatwick, it sounds like you're staying in the best one (the other one is about 1/2m on roads with no footpaths) This one is literally opposite, the only thing between the hotel and the airport is the drop off/pick up road and the entrance is right opposite the travellator things so you'll be inside the airport within about 1 minute.

We also do the easyjet 2 bag thing and it's plenty. If you can get the cabin cases with 4 wheels it is easy enough to push 2 in 1 hand with the handles raised and you can hook the rucksacks over the handles.

I haven't been through security since covid I'm afraid but I've not heard any reports of it taking hours like the stories about Mnachester recently.

DazzlePaintedBattlePants · 07/05/2022 07:38

It is far easier to check in one large bag than faff about with loads of bags through security with small children. You can also chuck all your liquids in the big bag which is one less thing to do at security.

My kids are responsible for carrying their own rucksack which contains their teddies, snack and toys/books for the flights. To echo a PP, you can’t take a cabin sized wheelie bag and a large rucksack; the rucksack must fit under the seat in front of you and they will check.

MerryMaidens · 07/05/2022 07:42

I stay at that PI a lot. It's literally 2 minutes over the road (also you can get deliveroo sent there the night before!).

If you're not checking a bag you can go straight to security, and you can use the family lanes (they're all the way to the right) which are less stressful. 90 minutes will be plenty, and enough time to get a quick breakfast.

There can be a bit of a walk to the gate at gatwick so leave enough time for that.

Clymene · 07/05/2022 07:47

Also you can check in and drop hold luggage after 8pm the night before. So you can get your boarding passes and just go straight to security in the morning.

MerryMaidens · 07/05/2022 07:52

I never understand why people pay for speedy boarding. Why would you be on the plane longer than you have to? You have allocated seats. We always wait until last to board.

Magnolia08 · 07/05/2022 07:56

I travelled with easy jet recently and it was a massive pain having to wheel cases around the airport- I ended up having to wheel both mine and dm's case around as she couldn't manage hers. It was very awkward trying to get both on and off the plane as well, narrow aisles and stairs.

We had priority boarding and the cabin bag option, when we came back I tried to check cases in and they wanted about £60 each so be aware you may not have that as an option unless you want to pay!

I really wouldn't want to wrangle luggage plus small children around the airport.

Clymene · 07/05/2022 07:59

MerryMaidens · 07/05/2022 07:52

I never understand why people pay for speedy boarding. Why would you be on the plane longer than you have to? You have allocated seats. We always wait until last to board.

Because they have loads of bags with them. If you leave it until the last minute to board, there's very little space in the lockers. That's why I always check luggage!

ShadowPuppets · 07/05/2022 08:02

Clymene · 07/05/2022 07:59

Because they have loads of bags with them. If you leave it until the last minute to board, there's very little space in the lockers. That's why I always check luggage!

Show quote history

This, and the speedy boarding is at the front. So you’re off the plane sooner if they only disembark from the front (usual deal for budget airlines). Yes I know it’s the same amount of time on the plane, but factor in the cabin baggage and getting off sooner when at the destination (when I really WANT to be off the plan!) makes it more worthwhile.

Throwawaytoday · 07/05/2022 08:30

We flew from LGW North Terminal in April and it was a breeze, the immigration man in the way back shared that North terminal is usually much less busy than South.

Online check in before you go, and arriving 2-3 hours ahead is my recommendation.

I was expecting travel chaos, and it was the opposite almost empty and completely smooth at all points both ways (Gatwick to Seville).

Throwawaytoday · 07/05/2022 08:32

Oh and we could have managed with handluggage only, but chose to check in three cases as it was less faff.

Original poster
opulentalligatorsalt · 07/05/2022 09:36

Thanks everyone ☺️

We paid for a bundle that included speedy boarding and upfront seats with extra bags so I'm not too fussed if the actual boarding takes a while.

It costs £60 (£30 both ways) to take one 53kg bag. I have no idea how much this is packing wise 🤣 but I imagine it would mean the kids wouldn't need a rollery case of their own and we could then just get away with two which would be easier. Do we think the £60 is worth it? I think it will be.

Based on this we will aim to get up at 5:00 (which is more palatable than 4 something 🤣) and get across to the airport for 5:30. It won't take us long at all to get ready for that.

OP posts:
Clymene · 07/05/2022 09:49

53 kg is huge! Normal case limit is around 20 kgs

Clymene · 07/05/2022 09:50

And yes definitely worth it!

Blondeshavemorefun · 07/05/2022 09:55

opulentalligatorsalt · 07/05/2022 09:36

Thanks everyone ☺️

We paid for a bundle that included speedy boarding and upfront seats with extra bags so I'm not too fussed if the actual boarding takes a while.

It costs £60 (£30 both ways) to take one 53kg bag. I have no idea how much this is packing wise 🤣 but I imagine it would mean the kids wouldn't need a rollery case of their own and we could then just get away with two which would be easier. Do we think the £60 is worth it? I think it will be.

Based on this we will aim to get up at 5:00 (which is more palatable than 4 something 🤣) and get across to the airport for 5:30. It won't take us long at all to get ready for that.

53 🙀

don’t you mean 23

That’s what we paid £30 ew for 23kg

we fly in just over 2w. Can’t wait

Original poster
opulentalligatorsalt · 07/05/2022 10:06

Hahaha maybe I do mean 23 🤣🤣 or for a few extra pounds can do 32kg!

OP posts:
Bouledeneige · 07/05/2022 10:17

I flew from Gatwick at Easter. I'd arrive 2 hours before as advised. There are a number of factors that make flying a bit more hassly - one is the need to show all of your covid documentation which adds time, the second is that there have been staff shortages at Gatwick which could add time to getting through security. Also remember that gates can be a long distance at Gatwick so the furthest can take 15-20 minutes to get to. Also, check whether you are at north or south terminal before you leave - getting the shuttle can add time.

In fact when I went through Gatwick security was very smooth but I just wouldn't add the worry /pressure if it's not. I always follow what they advise (I've missed planes before and it's absolutely no fun!).